A 98 Z3 with 5-speed was our first BMW, and so when I got the 2000 328i with 5-speed, I had expected the shifter to be the same, but found out, as you did, that the 3-series has longer throws. I read somewhere on this board that if you go with a UCC kit, you'll get shorter throws than with the Z3. But, like you, I like the Z3's shifter . . . would be interested in seeing if there are any short-shift kits that give you a bit longer throw than the UUC.