RUF short shifter vs. B&M Short Shift

I was thinking about getting a RUF short shifter on my c4S but it seems like the B&M short shifter is the one most talked about on this board. What is the difference? Are there any RUF short shift users here and if so, what is your experience?

I went with the RUF for a couple of reasons. First it installs under the car at the trasmission therefore the installation was quick and only 30 minutes. B&M takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and you have to cut out a factory plastic piece, so if you change your mind and ever want to go back, you have to buy this piece and spend another 1 1/2 hours to remove and go back to stock. The RUF offers 30 40, & 50% reduction. I have mine set at 40%, its great, no notchiness and very smooth. I've heard that the B&M is slightly more difficult to shift, meaning it takes a little more effort to shift. Ask for Andrew at Weissach he is great to work with, also if you do order from him ask for the updated installation directions.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Kevin M.: <strong>I went with the RUF for a couple of reasons. First it installs under the car at the trasmission therefore the installation was quick and only 30 minutes. B&M takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and you have to cut out a factory plastic piece, so if you change your mind and ever want to go back, you have to buy this piece and spend another 1 1/2 hours to remove and go back to stock. The RUF offers 30 40, & 50% reduction. I have mine set at 40%, its great, no notchiness and very smooth. I've heard that the B&M is slightly more difficult to shift, meaning it takes a little more effort to shift. Ask for Andrew at Weissach he is great to work with, also if you do order from him ask for the updated installation directions.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Thanks Kevin. The above was very helpful and I will go with the RUF. When you say that the shift is "very smooth", is there a click when you shift into gear? I read somewhere that the B&M has a click like the way a Ferrari shifts. I assume that your RUF shifter is very precise? I think I will get it done next week!

Just finished my first track day with the B&M, the performance of the shifter was outstanding! Smooth and direct, no significant increase in effort at all, really made driving fast easier and more fun. On a side note, my instructor commented that my 996 gearbox was the "most awesome 911 gearbox he had ever driven!" When I told him it was a B&M shifter he was surprised it made such a difference. Also keep in mind the B&M reduces shift throw by 30%, about the same as the GT3RS racing shifters at 33%. Porsche feels any more reduction is hard on the transmission. The B&M can be installed in an hour, and the B&M bearings can be re-used with the stock shifter if so desired. You can also get replacement needle bearings from Evo for about $100 that are designed for the stock shifter. Alternatively I have heard the factory bushings can be replaced for less than a dollar(parts), I can't confirm this, but if you have seen them (or the stock shifter for that matter)they are a cheap plastic POS. I'm sure the Ruf is a great short shifter too, their products are top notch IMO. I just wish the exchange rate was better.

No clicking on the RUF, and precise, I have yet to miss a gear I did have to have it adjusted after it was put it in, reverse was real hard, but make sure you get that upadated fix for it.. tell Andrew I sent you!! Hey if you can do both too.. RUF & B&M combined.. I hear that's pretty short

I just installed my B&M on Friday. So far I've been more then happy w/it. It took me a little over an hour, my first time installing one and I really took my time trying to be careful. Reverse or any gear is not any harder then it was stock, once you get it dialed in which is very easy, that was one of my fears. The B&M already feels very natural and ultra precise. B &M compared w/stock: <img src="http://members.rennlist.com/robinwa/BMvStock.jpg" alt=" - " /> Installed: <img src="http://members.rennlist.com/robinwa/BM.jpg" alt=" - " />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Kevin M.: <strong>No clicking on the RUF, and precise, I have yet to miss a gear I did have to have it adjusted after it was put it in, reverse was real hard, but make sure you get that upadated fix for it.. tell Andrew I sent you!! Hey if you can do both too.. RUF & B&M combined.. I hear that's pretty short </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">How much is the RUF unit? Did you compare it to the TechArt before purchase? <img src="http://www.techart.de/Bilder_250_135/schaltwegverkuerzung_einzelteile.jpg" alt=" - " />

The RUF short shift unit is US$298. I did not check out the Techart short shift unit as I am in Vancouver and I can get Weissach to install their RUF product for me.

The Techart is a exact copy of the RUF just $200 more!

What ever shifter you decide to install if it be a Ruf or a Tech Art remember Porsche says any more then 33% can and will damage you gear box over time. That's why even Porsche only uses 33% reduced throw in their GT3 Cup & RS cars. I put in a B&M shifter, could not see spending excess money for a shifter that is out of Porsche factory specs. These cars are expensive enough as it is without putting the gear linkage or what ever in more stress then Porsche says it can take. Also you do not need a shop to install your shifter if you use the B&M. Most people on this board have put in there own B&M shifters so you save a mechanics bill also. I bought mine from Bobby at Foreign Affairs [phone removed] if you tell him you are from Rennlist he only charges you $199.00

After reading Kevin's reply to the exact same question in a previous post, I went with the RUF kit. I went through all the hoops with the copies of drivers lic and credit cards that weissach required with no problems. I did follow Kevins advice and asked for the updated instructions but did not receive them. I called Andrew and he faxed me a copy of it but there was no illustration. Luckily I did not attempt to install this myself, as my mechanic had a little difficulty modifying one of the holes on the main bracket so that we could access reverse. After it was all said and done yes the 40% difference that I choose is solid and precise and reverse is easier now than it was from the factory. However I cannot emphasize enough, do not attempt to install this without the updated instructions. It is a shame that this kit does not come modified from RUF prior to install but again I am quite pleased with it.

Joe.. Glad to see you went with the RUF.. its worth the extra BS it takes to get it, it's funny I actually sat in the car while it was up on the hoist as my mechanic adjusted.. I didn't leave until it was smooth as butter... Of course I couldn't leave cause I was up in the air