F10 (BMW Performance) Shift Knob Installed!

[///M_Monster]

As promised from my other thread...

[thekurgan]

^^ Oooh, but does it light up? LOL

Now this looks nice!

[mdosu]

Fack! you beat me to it! LOL, I was going to do this swap this weekend.

Does it light up? Are the plugs the same? Or do you have to splice wires?

[aussiem3]

I think the new shift knob complements the ///3 interior, and looks very short and sporty too.

[mdosu]

OP, give me some first impressions. B/c I'm about to do this in 48 hours. lol I ordered the F30 knob. I assume the only difference between F30 and F10 is the ring base, which is irrlevant b/c we need to change it out to the M3 ring base.

Anways, how's the height? The feel? How does it feel to grab a skinner knob? Personally I hate the goose neck on the OEM knob, it's too big for me.

Also, does the lighting connectors match and makes it a easy plug and play?

[thekurgan]

I don't think this knob is illuminated in any way from what I have read.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by mdosu

Also, does the lighting connectors match and makes it a easy plug and play?

I think it's the lighting parts that make the shift knob taller, and all performance oriented knobs don't have the lighting feature.

[jonasaurus]

I assume this is like the E9X Perf shifter that doesn't light up and isn't weighted?

[///M_Monster]

Originally Posted by mdosu

OP, give me some first impressions. B/c I'm about to do this in 48 hours. lol I ordered the F30 knob. I assume the only difference between F30 and F10 is the ring base, which is irrlevant b/c we need to change it out to the M3 ring base.

Anways, how's the height? The feel? How does it feel to grab a skinner knob? Personally I hate the goose neck on the OEM knob, it's too big for me.

Also, does the lighting connectors match and makes it a easy plug and play?

Well... I Rate this mod 10/10. I was a little nervous going into the install at the height/size of the new knob bc of some past reviews (of the E92 equivalent). But were they wrong!

KNOB REVIEW:
All I can say is the feel is 100 times better than stock IMO. The 1-2 shift does not necessarily "smooth out" as some mention (Still clunks)...Although you can tell that it is weighted after install. It does give more control due to the shape. Provides better human connection to the car and I can shift better bc of it. There is no "illumination" of course, but I always looked at that as kind of gimmicky anyway. Overall this is a must if you are dissatisfied with the stock knob (like 99% of us out there).

Another bonus is that the stitching matches the pattern on the BMW Perf. Electronic Steering wheel... A future mod of mine.

INSTALL:
Pay attention to the aligning of the Alcantara. Best thing I can recommend is remove the stock as depicted in other DIYs. Then "rest" (do not click in) the knob in place on the shifter. This will show you EXACTLY what I am talking about as there will be plenty of slack on the right side and very little on the left. The back-left corner is going to be the main area of concern. Put the shifter into 5th and make sure you've given yourself enough room in that corner.

My method was "resting" the knob on the shifter, and draping the alcantara boot over. I took some time to form and marked the under side with a pen so I knew exactly where to glue down on the boot ring. I barely made any cuts and just tucked the slack.

Use just regular loctite from Home Depot... Works ridiculously well, BUT DO NOT GET IT ON THE ALCANTARA. Take your time...

[///M_Monster]

Originally Posted by jonasaurus

I assume this is like the E9X Perf shifter that doesn't light up and isn't weighted?

Is absolutely weighted... You'll just shake your head at the stock knob when holding both.

[jonasaurus]

Originally Posted by ///M_Monster

Is absolutely weighted... You'll just shake your head at the stock knob when holding both.

Ah ok had no idea, good to know, thx!

[mkPOTO]

thanks for the reviews, I have been waiting to hear more about this unit!

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by ///M_Monster

Well... I Rate this mod 10/10. I was a little nervous going into the install at the height/size of the new knob bc of some past reviews (of the E92 equivalent). But were they wrong!

KNOB REVIEW:
All I can say is the feel is 100 times better than stock IMO. The 1-2 shift does not necessarily "smooth out" as some mention (Still clunks)...Although you can tell that it is weighted after install. It does give more control due to the shape. Provides better human connection to the car and I can shift better bc of it. There is no "illumination" of course, but I always looked at that as kind of gimmicky anyway. Overall this is a must if you are dissatisfied with the stock knob (like 99% of us out there).

Another bonus is that the stitching matches the pattern on the BMW Perf. Electronic Steering wheel... A future mod of mine.

INSTALL:
Pay attention to the aligning of the Alcantara. Best thing I can recommend is remove the stock as depicted in other DIYs. Then "rest" (do not click in) the knob in place on the shifter. This will show you EXACTLY what I am talking about as there will be plenty of slack on the right side and very little on the left. The back-left corner is going to be the main area of concern. Put the shifter into 5th and make sure you've given yourself enough room in that corner.

My method was "resting" the knob on the shifter, and draping the alcantara boot over. I took some time to form and marked the under side with a pen so I knew exactly where to glue down on the boot ring. I barely made any cuts and just tucked the slack.

Use just regular loctite from Home Depot... Works ridiculously well, BUT DO NOT GET IT ON THE ALCANTARA. Take your time...

thanks for the write up.
if possible, can you pull the ring up and take a pic of the places you trimmed versus where you "tucked"?

thanks

[HighandDry]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

I think it's the lighting parts that make the shift knob taller, and all performance oriented knobs don't have the lighting feature.

No, the F10 M5 is illuminated.

[JerryK73]

That actually looks like the BMW Performance knob. I have the F10 M% knob in my car and it is illuminated. The F10 M5 knob looks exactly like the ZHP in appearance and weight but with illumination.

[mdosu]

Hey, let me know if you're interested in a custom extension piece from IND. We can try to do a group buy.

I've emailed them for a price quote for an extension adapter (behind the boot) that extends the stem by about 1 inch. So this piece would snap in to the OEM stem on one end, and your knob on the other. And I suppose since IND will be making a few at a time, you can ask for different lengths. Let me know if you're interested.

[exmowner]

''Use just regular loctite from Home Depot... Works ridiculously well, BUT DO NOT GET IT ON THE ALCANTARA. Take your time...''

Why the loctite? Doesn't the shifter just snap into place?

[exmowner]

Originally Posted by mdosu

Hey, let me know if you're interested in a custom extension piece from IND. We can try to do a group buy.

I've emailed them for a price quote for an extension adapter (behind the boot) that extends the stem by about 1 inch. So this piece would snap in to the OEM stem on one end, and your knob on the other. And I suppose since IND will be making a few at a time, you can ask for different lengths. Let me know if you're interested.

Can you clarify the purpose of this extension? Is it because the shifter won’t snap into place without this custom piece or is it that you find the shifter too short?

Thanks

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by exmowner

''Use just regular loctite from Home Depot... Works ridiculously well, BUT DO NOT GET IT ON THE ALCANTARA. Take your time...''

Why the loctite? Doesn't the shifter just snap into place?

The f10 ring base is not the same as the m3 base. You need to custom fit the boot to the ring. Follow the f10 m5 knob instructions.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=773929

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by exmowner

Can you clarify the purpose of this extension? Is it because the shifter won’t snap into place without this custom piece or is it that you find the shifter too short?

Thanks

The latter, too short for me

[///M_Monster]

Originally Posted by mdosu

The latter, too short for me

+1

The knob will snap in as is...

[rubyM3]

Carbon Fiber is a nice touch.
does it illuminate red when lights are on?