Shift Knobs

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by ///M1

I'm personally waiting for the F10 M5 (US-only) 6-spd manual as it will allegedly be lit up (and the one seen at the NJ Cars and Coffee had the same ZHP knob as on the 1///M). So hoping it is a direct swap yet illuminated.

That sounds interesting, keep us posted

[///M1]

Originally Posted by Papethova

That sounds interesting, keep us posted

Surely. Hoping Matt can chime in as I believe he is driving a 'prototype'. Here is a pic of the one seen in NJ, can't tell if it is illuminated but allegedly it will be (then again Top Gear magazine reported early on ours will be illuminated but was wrong).

[tracer bullet]

I went from a "performance" knob to a 1M knob. Previous owner of my car had the SSK installed but I didn't like the knob. I didn't care for the feel of it being skinny, stick like, wasn't comfortable in my palm. The 1M knob however - my hand just wraps around it perfect.

Also I hate metal knobs in general, maybe it's a MN thing (we can hit 0 in winter and 100 in summer and metal against skin often sucks).

Do you wear rings or something? It seems odd that you are having trouble. If so maybe you do need a metal knob - but note the performance one may still get screwed up as it's not -all- metal.

[carlosalbertogui]

hi all

pics of 1M Knoob will be interesting

[Simsims]

metal knob = cold in winter.

best knob I've held is the mini cooper shift knob. Big, fat and comfortable. Haha

[T1T2GRE]

If I went through all of that effort, I'd go with something like these

[///M1]

Yeah, the metal knob is not ideal for folks living in large temp variation conditions. On my E39 M5 I had an illuminated UUC knob (RK3), looked great but in the summer heat and winter cold it was unpleasant to modulate.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...46&postcount=9

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by wkndwrrr

It's a shame we don't get the wiring for illuminated shift knobs

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

The BMW Performance knob feels great on the 1M. The only problem is that the stock knob is fabricated to the boot. I removed the boot and stock knob (1 piece) and smacked a BMW Performance knob on the shifter for a recent trip up to VIR. It obviously looked stupid but I was in a hurry when I did it. It seems a little shorter than the stock knob and I like the feel a little better. Now I need to figure out how to make it work with the stock boot.

Originally Posted by ///M1

I'm personally waiting for the F10 M5 (US-only) 6-spd manual as it will allegedly be lit up (and the one seen at the NJ Cars and Coffee had the same ZHP knob as on the 1///M). So hoping it is a direct swap yet illuminated.

Originally Posted by ///M1

Hoping Matt can chime in as I believe he is driving a 'prototype'. Here is a pic of the one seen in NJ, can't tell if it is illuminated but allegedly it will be (then again Top Gear magazine reported early on ours will be illuminated but was wrong).

Any news about a suitable illuminated ///M 6-speed gear knob (BMW or aftermarket) ?

Found this link of a DIY gear shift illumination swap job, performed on what seems to be an E46 3er (5-speed manual):
http://www.argyrides.eu/bmw/accessor...knob/shift.htm

Anyone tried on a 1M or willing to give it a try ? Lack of wiring an issue to overcome without too much of a hassle ?

5-speed M Sport Illuminated Leather Gear Knob: BMW part# 25 11 2 231 550 (E36 3er)


6-speed M Sport Illuminated Leather Gear Knob: BMW part# 25 11 2 228 742 (E36 3er) (for example: http://www.amazon.co.uk/BMW-Genuine-...968544-4535244)


Mind you, the ones pictured above (for the BMW E36) probably won't fit the 1M, I assume.

[Dackelone]

Artemis - if you want a lighted ZHP shift knob (new M5 & 1M shift knob) why not just go to your dealer and have them look up a new M5 with a manual trans? You might have to look up a US spec M5 bc I think only the US will get the manual M5.

Or you could look up an e46 M3 or e46 330i with ZHP option(those cars came with unlit ones, but I think you could order the parts for it being lighted as well.

Btw the 330i was the first BMW to have this (1M) oval shifter when you ordered the ZHP option. I bought one for my 135i but never installed it. Here is the part number #25117896886. It is unlit.

Here is a e46 M3 lighted shift knob... but I think its the tall one and not the ZHP short oval one.
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...34&hg=25&fg=10

[brownie815]

How about this illuminated knob? The LED is in orange, it should match with the VO 1M!!

[LOVEM]

Originally Posted by brownie815

How about this illuminated knob? The LED is in orange, it should match with the VO 1M!!

me likey.....

[SamChas]

Does the GT3RS knob fit ?!

[brownie815]

Does anyone installed this gear display knob on their car?? Any comment about it?

[wkndwrrr]

There's no wiring, so anything illuminated, with a digital display, etc won't work.
For those in EU and I believe ASIA, because you retain the ashtray with cigarette lighter in the cubby hole in front of the shifter, you could probably get some wiring work done, relatively inexpensively and diy-able.
For those of us in North America, we're SOL

[diegorst]

Has anyone tried the LeatherZ knobs? They seem to have OEM style illuminated knobs with a retrofit kit for those models without wiring.
http://leatherz.com/Merchant5/mercha...ory_Code=Knobs

Has anyone tried this on a 1M??

[///M1]

Originally Posted by diegorst

Has anyone tried the LeatherZ knobs? They seem to have OEM style illuminated knobs with a retrofit kit for those models without wiring.
http://leatherz.com/Merchant5/mercha...ory_Code=Knobs

Has anyone tried this on a 1M??

I haven't tried them personally, but they are way expensive ($175 + $115 for the proper inlay).

The US 6-spd M5 is not out just yet, first deliveries in a few months more time so won't be able to see before then if it'll work.

As far as power, we are not SOL, you can always tap power from various places. E.G. my P3 boost gauge taps power through the cigarette lighter which is in near proximity to the shifter (right behind the parking brake as we NA's don't have the smoker's pack).

It can be done, just have to see what's the most optimal.

[AndyM]

Originally Posted by ///M1

I haven't tried them personally, but they are way expensive ($175 + $115 for the proper inlay).

The US 6-spd M5 is not out just yet, first deliveries in a few months more time so won't be able to see before then if it'll work.

As far as power, we are not SOL, you can always tap power from various places. E.G. my P3 boost gauge taps power through the cigarette lighter which is in near proximity to the shifter (right behind the parking brake as we NA's don't have the smoker's pack).

It can be done, just have to see what's the most optimal.

I wish I didn't have to charge for the insert, but there is no way around it. I offer it without an insert if you want to source your own insert. I also offer other inserts at no extra charge as well.

[///M1]

Originally Posted by AndyM

I wish I didn't have to charge for the insert, but there is no way around it. I offer it without an insert if you want to source your own insert. I also offer other inserts at no extra charge as well.

Andy, are these different than the stock E39 M5 gear knobs? Are they perhaps weighted?

I ask because one can get the E39 M5 illuminated leather knob and boot (with the insert in same exact pattern as we need) fairly cheaply, but they are not weighted though.

[AndyM]

Originally Posted by ///M1

Andy, are these different than the stock E39 M5 gear knobs? Are they perhaps weighted?

I ask because one can get the E39 M5 illuminated leather knob and boot (with the insert in same exact pattern as we need) fairly cheaply, but they are not weighted though.

The ZHP Shift knob is weighted and 3/4" shorter than the E39 M5 knob.

[One3five]

Im using the performance knob myself and i love it. It makes for less effort while shifting since it's weighted and it feels great. I believe the performance shift knob sits slightly lower than the stock knob. The only downside to the performance knob is that when shifting hard from gear to gear (as if you were racing), the knob slips out of place.

[AndyM]

Originally Posted by One3five

The only downside to the performance knob is that when shifting hard from gear to gear (as if you were racing), the knob slips out of place.

It shouldn't do that. Are you sure it is pressed down all the way? (you will feel it click when it grabs).

The problem with BMW shift knobs is that over time, they get loose. A cheap fix is to remove the shift knob and put a single wrap of masking tape around the shift lever. This will tighten up the shift knob and help keep it in place.

[Vrumpkin]

Originally Posted by SamChas

Does the GT3RS knob fit ?!

I would pay serious money for a GT3 shift knob in my 1M. I couldn't care less if it doesn't match the car at all those are terrific shift knobs and have incredible grip!

+1 if anyone knows they would fit?