6spd Owners - Whats your Choice of Shift Knob?

[ExclusivSTS]

Hey Guys,

Curious to know what all of your favorite choice of shift knobs are...

1) Active Autowerke
2) ZHP
3) BMW Performance
4) OEM (Stock)

Personally I don't like the feel of the OEM one. Feel it's awkwardly shaped in my hand. Have not had the chance to feel any others, so I'd like to hear fellow owners opinions!

[kmarei]

OEM sucks!
I tried ZHP
It rocks
But finding a boot for it, is damn hard
Unless you cut the oem boot, which I dont want to do
I bought a very nice black alcantara boot with red stitching to match my car
But can't find the plastic surround to mount it on

[nuzey]

Yup OEM is not good.

Wanted to change to ZHP but I felt that I got used to the OEM already

[ExclusivSTS]

Originally Posted by kmarei

OEM sucks!
I tried ZHP
It rocks
But finding a boot for it, is damn hard
Unless you cut the oem boot, which I dont want to do
I bought a very nice black alcantara boot with red stitching to match my car
But can't find the plastic surround to mount it on

Been hearing good things about the Weighted ZHP knob!

Why not buy the tri-color boot from IND? Looks like OEM, and correct if i'm wrong would be simple swap for install.

[TRY...M3]

Just installed BMW performance...so far I love it. Takes some getting used to tho.

[ExclusivSTS]

Originally Posted by TRY...M3

Just installed BMW performance...so far I love it. Takes some getting used to tho.

That because it's height? Or because of the shape in your hand?

Sure looks good though!

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by ExclusivSTS

Been hearing good things about the Weighted ZHP knob!

Why not buy the tri-color boot from IND? Looks like OEM, and correct if i'm wrong would be simple swap for install.

Because as far as I know
All the boots offered for sale, don't come with the plastic surround that you attach it to
So in all cases you need to either cut your oem boot
Or try to remove the boot from the plastic surround
Which is not easy since it's glued rather well

[TRY...M3]

Originally Posted by ExclusivSTS

That because it's height? Or because of the shape in your hand?

Sure looks good though!

its def due to the shape in hand...heights perfect, shape is a little awkward at first but a day later i love it, actually made a few unnecessary drives today just bc i wanted to get used to it and i am now. I would pick it over the ZHP all over again although most member on here would disagree

[montreal red]

heaviest knob ever!! and fits in my hand perfectly!

[mastek]

The people voting for OE knobs have no idea what they are missing and dont know any better.
The OE knob is hollow and flimsy and promotes a lack of connect between the driver and the drivetrain.

Whenever e9xm3 owners drive my e90m3 ...the 1st thing they are amazed at is the shifting = ZHP Knob + UUC SSK + UUC Selector Rod.

E9xm3 OE shift knob + OE Shift Assembly is worse then the OE e46m3 setup.

[E90///M3`]

i've had bmw performance for awhile and so far so good.

[ExclusivSTS]

Originally Posted by mastek

The people voting for OE knobs have no idea what they are missing and dont know any better.
The OE knob is hollow and flimsy and promotes a lack of connect between the driver and the drivetrain.

Whenever e9xm3 owners drive my e90m3 ...the 1st thing they are amazed at is the shifting = ZHP Knob + UUC SSK + UUC Selector Rod.

E9xm3 OE shift knob + OE Shift Assembly is worse then the OE e46m3 setup.

Exactly my thoughts! Been wondering why so many votes on OEM, I really dislike mine- and can't wait for change.

I've been inclined to do short shifter kit as well. Why'd you choose UUC? I have been thinking about going to Rouge local, and having their kit installed.

But back on to Shift knobs!...

As of now it's ZHP

[Sean05]

I wonder to those who mentioned OEM if anyone have used other shift knobs? Cause there is no way the oem is better than ZHP OR PERFORMANCE....

[KennyPowers]

Originally Posted by mastek

E9xm3 OE shift knob + OE Shift Assembly is worse then the OE e46m3 setup.

i dont know about the rest of that since i just got my m3 and still have the stock setup, but there is no way the above is true. I just came from an e46, and there is no way that the e9x is worse than the e46.

the e46 had the worst shifter ive ever used in my life.

[ExclusivSTS]

Originally Posted by Sean05

I wonder to those who mentioned OEM if anyone have used other shift knobs? Cause there is no way the oem is better than ZHP OR PERFORMANCE....

Their vote doesn't count ...

LOL JK!

[mastek]

Originally Posted by ExclusivSTS

Exactly my thoughts! Been wondering why so many votes on OEM, I really dislike mine- and can't wait for change.

I've been inclined to do short shifter kit as well. Why'd you choose UUC? I have been thinking about going to Rouge local, and having their kit installed.

But back on to Shift knobs!...

As of now it's ZHP

Actually, i didnt choose the UUC SSK
I bought my car used and it came with it. I did however, upgrade the Selector Rod to the UUC V2. There is a little more play then I'd like with this UUC, but i have not driven a car with the Rogue SSK yet. So until then, i have no complaints with this kit.

I had an AutoSolutions SSK in my e46m3 and it was amazing/perfect and better then my current kit. I tried to get AutoSolutions to make me a kit for my e90m3 ... but he was reluctant to make one and im 80% satisfied with my current setup, so ...

[ExclusivSTS]

Originally Posted by mastek

Actually, i didnt choose the UUC SSK
I bought my car used and it came with it. I did however, upgrade the Selector Rod to the UUC V2. There is a little more play then I'd like with this UUC, but i have not driven a car with the Rogue SSK yet. So until then, i have no complaints with this kit.

I had an AutoSolutions SSK in my e46m3 and it was amazing/perfect and better then my current kit. I tried to get AutoSolutions to make me a kit for my e90m3 ... but he was reluctant to make one and im 80% satisfied with my current setup, so ...

Time to upgrade to be 100% satisfied with Rouge!

Been hearing nothing but great things about their kit...and they are local to me. Quoted me $550 for the kit, and installation.

[piloto]

I just bought an illuminated ZHP off of ebay (it came with the M 6-spd insert too) for a little over $100, although I haven't installed it yet, as I'm trying to get the boot issue worked out. I've been off and on thinking of getting the Rogue Octane, figure I can install it when I install my exhaust (haven't bought that yet either).

I trade time between my E90 and S2000, and I curse the shifter in the M3 everytime I get in the S2K. That car has THE best shifter ever, imo. I also installed a set of ultimate pedals, and h&t is much easier now for me.

[THE TECH]

Waiting for a nice solution as well. Wondering why BMW would design it that you have to modify things just to change the knob.

[ExclusivSTS]

[quote=piloto;10586315]I just bought an illuminated ZHP off of ebay (it came with the M 6-spd insert too) for a little over $100, although I haven't installed it yet, as I'm trying to get the boot issue worked out. I've been off and on thinking of getting the Rogue Octane, figure I can install it when I install my exhaust (haven't bought that yet either).

I trade time between my E90 and S2000, and I curse the shifter in the M3 everytime I get in the S2K. That car has THE best shifter ever, imo. I also installed a set of ultimate pedals, and h

[TxFeatFan]

I like to wrap my hand around my knob all the time. It's original equipment, and feels great!

[stefan]

I, too, have been after the ZHP knob. I'm just conflicted over the boot. I'd prefer if it had the mount already attached, but I'm looking at $500 all in for a shift knob upgrade then.