Anyone have the weighted e46 zhp shift knob on a 128i?

wolfe · 01-18-2017, 01:20 PM

I know the transmission in the 128i is less stout than the e46, so wondering if anyone has tried this weighted shift knob and how you like it. Any issues with the weight?

Thanks

Mach1er · 01-18-2017, 02:11 PM

Tons of people have done it, from my reading everyone loves them. Did it to my father's E90 328i and it's really nice, but quite short. Will make shifting a little more effortful, but the heft is nice.

markslc1 · 01-18-2017, 02:55 PM

I had one in my last two e36s and liked it. But I'm not sure if it will sit too low in the 128. I like to use the armrest.

Suhb · 01-18-2017, 03:34 PM

It sits higher than the M-Sport knob. It sits lower than the stock knob. But the shape and hefty weight make every shift better. More direct engagement every time. Def recommend.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=19

wolfe · 01-18-2017, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suhb

It sits higher than the M-Sport knob. It sits lower than the stock knob. But the shape and hefty weight make every shift better. More direct engagement every time. Def recommend.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=19

Thank you. Any idea how much higher? I have the m sport knob and the bmw performance short shifter in there right now.

Suhb · 01-18-2017, 07:11 PM

Like a quarter inch taller? If that. Not by much.

andrey_gta · 01-18-2017, 09:38 PM

I have the F30 one. Its almost 1-1 with ZHP. Its nice.

vs stock knob, there is more meat near the back of the thumb. I like that because you can use the palm more as leverage to shift on the up shift.

asbrr · 01-19-2017, 02:16 PM

I have the performance knob, a little lower, but weighted. IMO any weighted knob will improve feel and shift quality.

So, do it!

Taskmaster · 01-20-2017, 06:22 AM

I have the Msport knob and ZHP - they both have weight to them, but I like the look and feeling of the ZHP more. And it's the perfect height.

wolfe · 01-24-2017, 10:12 AM

Nice, thanks guys.

mmmusty · 01-24-2017, 09:11 PM

I had the ZHP from my E46 M3, to my E90 325i, and lastly on my 128i.... I prefer the BMW performance knob now. Couple of differences:

1. has slightly more weight IIRC.
2. For me, I actually shift better from 1st to 2nd due to the nature of grip.

Alcantara is lovely also

tock172 · 01-26-2017, 05:15 PM

I love the ZHP shift knob and I've run it in a few of my BMWs, but I've found it to be too short for my liking. Overall, the taller ergonomic gooseneck style shifters in older BMWs seemed to offer increased leverage that was better than the weighting.

asbrr · 01-27-2017, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

I love the ZHP shift knob and I've run it in a few of my BMWs, but I've found it to be too short for my liking. Overall, the taller ergonomic gooseneck style shifters in older BMWs seemed to offer increased leverage that was better than the weighting.

Agreed on the additional leverage of a taller design, especially with a gooseneck. The stock 128i knob is like that, but is pretty lightweight.

For the 128i, a shorter knob doesn't take away from shift feel if it's weighted since the transmission is so slick as it is...in my experience the 135i transmissions aren't as smooth/slick so extra leverage is needed.

MAMSport · 01-27-2017, 03:14 PM

In my 128i, the previous owner installed the BMW short shift kit. I don't know if the ZHP-style knob was part of the kit, but it is definitely a nice compliment. I had the ZHP knob on an Auto Solutions SSK and loved it.

The only caveat I have is that the SSK with ZHP/ZHP style knob sits a bit low if you like to use the center console. I don't, though!

CAYY · 02-11-2017, 11:32 AM

Just bought mine in December and the stock knob was the only thing I disliked (seriously). Installed this ZHP and feels like it was meant to be!

dailowill · 02-12-2017, 10:53 AM

I really enjoyed my ZHP shift knob with SSK on my 128i. It fit perfectly in my hand and I preferred it over the M sport shifter.

I'm selling mine if you're interested.

WDE82 · 02-20-2017, 11:18 AM

Since shift feel is a topic in here I have to ask a question.

When I wind out 1st gear, 2nd really requires me to pull pretty hard to get it in. It clicks in crisply but it's just a lot of force. That pretty normal?

Suhb · 02-20-2017, 03:50 PM

Yea I'd say so. Because of the big difference in rpm the synchros do a little more work. Better transmission fluid can help with gear engagement.

01-18-2017, 01:20 PM	#1
wolfe Captain 134 Rep 613 Posts Drives: e82 / e70 / r56 / r60 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Anyone have the weighted e46 zhp shift knob on a 128i? I know the transmission in the 128i is less stout than the e46, so wondering if anyone has tried this weighted shift knob and how you like it. Any issues with the weight? Thanks
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01-18-2017, 02:11 PM	#2
Mach1er Lieutenant 86 Rep 524 Posts Drives: '13 128i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Tons of people have done it, from my reading everyone loves them. Did it to my father's E90 328i and it's really nice, but quite short. Will make shifting a little more effortful, but the heft is nice. __________________ '13 128i \| 6MT \| SGM \| Black Boston \| Black Gloss \| Lighting \| Premium \| Tech \| HK \| Anti-Theft \| [CDV-Delete \| Clutch Stop \| 30% Pinnacle] Ordered 2.23 \| Production Begin 3.7 \| Ends 3.15 \| Released to carrier 3.18 \| At port 3.19 \| Departed 3.23 (K-line to Brunswick) \| Arrived 4.7 \| Truck 4.12 \| Dealer 4.19
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01-18-2017, 02:55 PM	#3
markslc1 Lieutenant 183 Rep 536 Posts Drives: 2011 1M, 14 X5 x35i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Mill Creek, WA iTrader: (1)	I had one in my last two e36s and liked it. But I'm not sure if it will sit too low in the 128. I like to use the armrest.
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01-18-2017, 03:34 PM	#4
Suhb First Lieutenant 119 Rep 377 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Coupe 6-Speed Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: PA iTrader: (3)	It sits higher than the M-Sport knob. It sits lower than the stock knob. But the shape and hefty weight make every shift better. More direct engagement every time. Def recommend. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=19 __________________
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01-18-2017, 07:11 PM	#6
Suhb First Lieutenant 119 Rep 377 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Coupe 6-Speed Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: PA iTrader: (3)	Like a quarter inch taller? If that. Not by much.
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01-18-2017, 09:38 PM	#7
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	I have the F30 one. Its almost 1-1 with ZHP. Its nice. vs stock knob, there is more meat near the back of the thumb. I like that because you can use the palm more as leverage to shift on the up shift. __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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01-19-2017, 02:16 PM	#8
asbrr Major 543 Rep 1,233 Posts Drives: 2014 335ix M-Sport Join Date: May 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I have the performance knob, a little lower, but weighted. IMO any weighted knob will improve feel and shift quality. So, do it!
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01-20-2017, 06:22 AM	#9
Taskmaster Banned 2465 Rep 9,004 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT / E92 328 Msport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	I have the Msport knob and ZHP - they both have weight to them, but I like the look and feeling of the ZHP more. And it's the perfect height.
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01-24-2017, 10:12 AM	#10
wolfe Captain 134 Rep 613 Posts Drives: e82 / e70 / r56 / r60 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Nice, thanks guys.
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01-24-2017, 09:11 PM	#11
mmmusty Private First Class 26 Rep 144 Posts Drives: 2008 alpine white 128i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I had the ZHP from my E46 M3, to my E90 325i, and lastly on my 128i.... I prefer the BMW performance knob now. Couple of differences: 1. has slightly more weight IIRC. 2. For me, I actually shift better from 1st to 2nd due to the nature of grip. Alcantara is lovely also
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01-26-2017, 05:15 PM	#12
tock172 Beachtown Bill Collector 582 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i [0.00] 1999 Lexus LS400 [0.00] 1985 BMW 325e [0.00]	I love the ZHP shift knob and I've run it in a few of my BMWs, but I've found it to be too short for my liking. Overall, the taller ergonomic gooseneck style shifters in older BMWs seemed to offer increased leverage that was better than the weighting. __________________ 2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2
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01-27-2017, 03:14 PM	#14
MAMSport Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 264 Posts Drives: '13 128i M-Sport coupe Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: North Shore of MA iTrader: (1)	In my 128i, the previous owner installed the BMW short shift kit. I don't know if the ZHP-style knob was part of the kit, but it is definitely a nice compliment. I had the ZHP knob on an Auto Solutions SSK and loved it. The only caveat I have is that the SSK with ZHP/ZHP style knob sits a bit low if you like to use the center console. I don't, though!
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02-11-2017, 11:32 AM	#15
CAYY New Member 6 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2011 128i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Just bought mine in December and the stock knob was the only thing I disliked (seriously). Installed this ZHP and feels like it was meant to be!
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02-12-2017, 10:53 AM	#16
dailowill Lieutenant 121 Rep 505 Posts Drives: '15 M235i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CT iTrader: (13)	I really enjoyed my ZHP shift knob with SSK on my 128i. It fit perfectly in my hand and I preferred it over the M sport shifter. I'm selling mine if you're interested.
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02-20-2017, 11:18 AM	#17
WDE82 Major 815 Rep 1,199 Posts Drives: 2018 440iGC F36 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (0)	Since shift feel is a topic in here I have to ask a question. When I wind out 1st gear, 2nd really requires me to pull pretty hard to get it in. It clicks in crisply but it's just a lot of force. That pretty normal?
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02-20-2017, 03:50 PM	#18
Suhb First Lieutenant 119 Rep 377 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Coupe 6-Speed Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: PA iTrader: (3)	Yea I'd say so. Because of the big difference in rpm the synchros do a little more work. Better transmission fluid can help with gear engagement.
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