6MT Shift Knob Options

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Looks great..is it weighted and can you have the 6 sad pattern embedded in it. Which one did you buy exactly as three are quite a few in the website

I bought the Grip Tape Heavy Weight with custom engraving. They can engrave pretty much anything as long as it fits on the knob.

[RocketBoots]

If you haven't seen this, it's worth a read (from the Rogue Eng website):

"Why can't I rest my hand on the shift knob?

Ever wonder why people say that its bad to rest you hand on the shift knob while driving? Well, there is a reason, and good thing you listened!

Within the transmission itself, BMW has a specification of 0.004"-0.006" gap between each gear and the shifter rail in the transmission (for reference, a human hair is approximately 0.0035"). This gap allows for the transmission lubricant to acts as a barrier so that the shifter rail and gear are not directly touching, causing premature wearing of the gear (not syncros), shifter rail, or both.

When you make a 0.001" change at the shift knob and maintain pressure (like resting your hand on the shift knob while driving), the required 0.004"-0.006" gap is closed, preventing the lubricant to ride between the gear and shifter rail. Premature wear of the gear or shifter rail may hamper transmission shifting performance, gear engagement, or worse, require rebuilding or replacement of the transmission.

A recent popular fix for short shifter notchiness is the use of an excessively heavy, metallic shift knob. At only 3 oz. (approximately 100 grams), the factory shift knob is relatively light, in comparison with the available aftermarket knobs. We have analyzed the additional mass of the Rogue Engineering shift knobs (approximately 6 oz.) and have found that they're additional mass was not enough to close the 0.004"-0.006" gap. However, as we began adding more weight to the shift knob area, we did find that when the mass increased to 8 oz., the gap began to close. Using anything heavier than this would be the equivalent of driving with your hand resting on the shift knob. When considering an aftermarket shift knob, consider how much mass it threatens to add. Too much is a BAD thing for your transmission!"

http://www.rogueengineering.com/bmw/SNNN.html

What do you guys think? It sort of makes sense to me, but I also take it with a grain of salt, since it seems partly like an advertisement for their products.

Just for reference, the OEM lighted, weighted leather shift knob is a little over 6oz, from what I could gather.

[mrrm3]

Lathewerks.com. 2.0", I think. Nicely weighted.

http://lathewerks.com/shop/

I had one in my C6 Z06 and absolutely loved it. Works just as well in the M4.

http://lathewerks.com/shop/product_i...roducts_id=195


The boot is the factory boot customized by JPM Coachworks.

http://store.jpmcoachworks.com/

They both do superior work.

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by exo-shell

I bought the Grip Tape Heavy Weight with custom engraving. They can engrave pretty much anything as long as it fits on the knob.

Thanks , looks good and liking it. How do you like it. Sits pretty low and hence should shift tightly.

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Thanks , looks good and liking it. How do you like it. Sits pretty low and hence should shift tightly.

The knob itself doesn't sit any lower than the stock knob. However, I have a UUC Short Shift Kit that is set pretty low.

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by exo-shell

The knob itself doesn't sit any lower than the stock knob. However, I have a UUC Short Shift Kit that is set pretty low.

Is that the stock shift boot ? The knob definitely looks shorter than the stock one.

The weight is 20 oz.. is that too much based on the note above?

[dom_cmh]

Has anyone tried a ZHP knob on the F80/82? For those of you not familiar this was a knob offered back on the 6MT E46 ZHP that was much preferred over the E46 M3 knob. It was so popular many bought them for their E90/92s when BMW decided to build the car with another hideously tall stick.

The main issue with the knob is that it wasn't illuminated. The following website offers a custom illuminated one. I bought it and installed on my E90 and am thinking of doing it for my new F80. The stock knob is just too tall and I'm not digging the M Performance knob or any of the aftermarket ones on this thread. I'd love to know if anyone has tried the ZHP and a search came up with nothing.

http://leatherz.com/Merchant5/mercha...ory_Code=Knobs

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by dom_cmh

Has anyone tried a ZHP knob on the F80/82? For those of you not familiar this was a knob offered back on the 6MT E46 ZHP that was much preferred over the E46 M3 knob. It was so popular many bought them for their E90/92s when BMW decided to build the car with another hideously tall stick.

The main issue with the knob is that it wasn't illuminated. The following website offers a custom illuminated one. I bought it and installed on my E90 and am thinking of doing it for my new F80. The stock knob is just too tall and I'm not digging the M Performance knob or any of the aftermarket ones on this thread. I'd love to know if anyone has tried the ZHP and a search came up with nothing.

http://leatherz.com/Merchant5/mercha...ory_Code=Knobs

Whats the weight for this knob, the website says Shipping Weight: 1.10 pounds. if so its 16 ounces and pretty weighted

[dom_cmh]

Originally Posted by boss2k

Whats the weight for this knob, the website says Shipping Weight: 1.10 pounds. if so its 16 ounces and pretty weighted

It's 5.4 oz so not that much. I really like the shape and the stock look of it. Having had it in my last 3 BMW's it really is better than the factory knob and preserves the look. I'm hoping someone on here has said they have tried it on the F80/82 already.

[dom_cmh]

Update....Looks like the ZHP knob was made available on the F10 M5 and comes illuminated from the factory vs the aftermarket mod above. See the following thread. Part #25112284205. You have to cut your boot to make it work through but I did that on my E90 and it was easy. Looks like I found my next F80 Mod!

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=792543&page=2

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by dom_cmh

Update....Looks like the ZHP knob was made available on the F10 M5 and comes illuminated from the factory vs the aftermarket mod above. See the following thread. Part #25112284205. You have to cut your boot to make it work through but I did that on my E90 and it was easy. Looks like I found my next F80 Mod!

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=792543&page=2

Glad it might work out. I'm curious to see a side by side on the knobs before install. Let us know how it works out!

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by dom_cmh

Update....Looks like the ZHP knob was made available on the F10 M5 and comes illuminated from the factory vs the aftermarket mod above. See the following thread. Part #25112284205. You have to cut your boot to make it work through but I did that on my E90 and it was easy. Looks like I found my next F80 Mod!

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=792543&page=2

I'll be interested to see how you get on - I'd like to do this myself. And I even have a spare F30 shifter with boot so I can pre-prepare the boot ready for the arrival of my F80.

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by dom_cmh

Update....Looks like the ZHP knob was made available on the F10 M5 and comes illuminated from the factory vs the aftermarket mod above. See the following thread. Part #25112284205. You have to cut your boot to make it work through but I did that on my E90 and it was easy. Looks like I found my next F80 Mod!

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=792543&page=2

did you do this?

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by dom_cmh

Update....Looks like the ZHP knob was made available on the F10 M5 and comes illuminated from the factory vs the aftermarket mod above. See the following thread. Part #25112284205. You have to cut your boot to make it work through but I did that on my E90 and it was easy. Looks like I found my next F80 Mod!

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=792543&page=2

This one, M5 ZHP knob is it different from the one that came on the stock F80 ?

I hear its virtually identical to the stock F80 knob and am trying to find out if its more weighted than the factory one.

[MonacoMurphy]

Any of you guys with aftermarket shift knobs have issues with them coming lose or needing adjustment all the time?

[MonacoMurphy]

Originally Posted by mrrm3

Lathewerks.com. 2.0", I think. Nicely weighted.

http://lathewerks.com/shop/

I had one in my C6 Z06 and absolutely loved it. Works just as well in the M4.

http://lathewerks.com/shop/product_i...roducts_id=195


The boot is the factory boot customized by JPM Coachworks.

http://store.jpmcoachworks.com/

They both do superior work.

How's this after a while? I'm just curious- I used to have one that mounts the same and it always came lose and spun around on the lever.

[PayamFSU]

this could work thought someone may like it ...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GTX...nLL&ref=plSrch

[mrrm3]

Originally Posted by MonacoMurphy

How's this after a while? I'm just curious- I used to have one that mounts the same and it always came lose and spun around on the lever.

No movement of the knob at all. I did apply some blue Loctite to the threads to ensure the set screws would not back out.

[ocN55]

It's pretty cool that there's an adapter to allow for threaded shift knobs. That said, what is everyone doing about the shifter boot?
Is permanently modifying the stock boot the only way to go?

[x.shell]

Originally Posted by MonacoMurphy

How's this after a while? I'm just curious- I used to have one that mounts the same and it always came lose and spun around on the lever.

Mine is held in place by two hex set screws. So far it's held on with no movement at all.

Originally Posted by ocN55

It's pretty cool that there's an adapter to allow for threaded shift knobs. That said, what is everyone doing about the shifter boot?
Is permanently modifying the stock boot the only way to go?

I managed to rip my shift boot (near the ring) while trying to remove it from the stock shift knob. In retrospect, I should've just kept them together. I'm going to take up sewing and make my own shift boot; maybe out of a purple shag rug.

[boss2k]

Folks

Am back in the search for the weighted shift knob as had a horrible experience buying the flossy shift knob and never got it, wasted a month on it , any other recommendations ?

[boss2k]

Bought this just now, looks great

http://www.raceseng.com/ashiko-shift...6-speed-manual