F10 M5 shift knob installed

[mabobe]

Thank you OP and contributors. I received the knob yesterday and installed it in less than half an hour. I did not glue the boot to the boot ring and it still comes out looking OEM. The major point to remember is to cut large enough holes for the tabs, so they will lock in place when you re-install the boot ring. Overall terrific mod.

As reported earlier, the weighted knob does improve the shifting especially between 1 and 2. I did not find the lower height causing a problem with shifts and hitting the idrive.

[M3Fury]

Installed mine last night. It took me about 4 hours. Most of this time was spent cleaning up the M3 base ring as it is bonded to the M3 boot very securely. The other big chunk of time was from repeated attempts to trim off new boot leather from the ring so it would snap into the console. Now, I glued and actually didn't even leave boot tabs over the ring clips, so that wasn't the issue. The issue is that the M5 leather is thicker as others have mentioned, especially where the boot is sewn. I never managed to get a full seat and engaged clips into the console (even removed the console trim to try). So, the two clips at the rear are in but the two toward the front aren't. The boot is secure enough due to the press fit with the thicker leather, just not locked tightly with clips. Overall, I would have taken greater care to align the sewn seams with the shallow notches in the ring or simply transplant the knob only.

However I am still very pleased with the result as it looks great and feels excellent...better on the 1-2 shift (but still not perfect).

[xcharlesy]

if anyone in VA / DC / MD needs assistance, I'm pretty good at this

[jkim723]

Quick and easy install.

I went with the cut and glue method. The ring doesn't snap in all the way but I don't think it's going to come off unless someone yanks on it.

[xcharlesy]

Originally Posted by jkim723

Quick and easy install.

I went with the cut and glue method. The ring doesn't snap in all the way but I don't think it's going to come off unless someone yanks on it.

make sure you cut your clips as far as they need to be, I kept banging mine and then realized that was all that it needed

[FazerBoy]

I'm about to pull the trigger on this but wondered whether it would not be easier to remove the M5 knob from its boot and reuse the M3 boot ie. cut the knob off the M3 boot and zip-tie the 'neck' into the M5 knob? At least there wouldn't be any problems with the boot re-seating properly..... Would this still look ok?

Jack

[xcharlesy]

Originally Posted by FazerBoy

I'm about to pull the trigger on this but wondered whether it would not be easier to remove the M5 knob from its boot and reuse the M3 boot ie. cut the knob off the M3 boot and zip-tie the 'neck' into the M5 knob? At least there wouldn't be any problems with the boot re-seating properly..... Would this still look ok?

Jack

I'd honestly just do the swap and tuck. You'll never really need to swap it, and if you do someone will probably trade you for sure.

[Ken37.73]

Someone asked earlier but I didn't see a reply so sorry if I've missed it. Does anyone have a part number / vendor details for the E92 M3 boot ring. Despite the terrific posts about how to do the install I'm hesitant and would like to put the F10 togeteher with a new M3 ring before removing / splitting the old one.

Thanks all.
Ken

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by Ken37.73

Someone asked earlier but I didn't see a reply so sorry if I've missed it. Does anyone have a part number / vendor details for the E92 M3 boot ring. Despite the terrific posts about how to do the install I'm hesitant and would like to put the F10 togeteher with a new M3 ring before removing / splitting the old one.

Thanks all.
Ken

The rings are not sold separately - it is attached to the boot and knob so you would need to buy the whole setup. Keep your eyes on the classified forums as stock m3 knobs pop up every now and then.

[Ken37.73]

Got it. Thanks Gatorfast.

[getBMWparts]

Originally Posted by jkim723

Quick and easy install.

I went with the cut and glue method. The ring doesn't snap in all the way but I don't think it's going to come off unless someone yanks on it.

Looks fantastic - nice work!

[The_Wood]

This is a great idea. I'm doing this in the next few days!

[MMM3PWR]

What Type Of Glue Did You Use?

[MMM3PWR]

Just installed my new shift knob... Found it pretty simple, when you are fitting the new leather to your existing ring I found that if you pull the leather down until there is minimal slack around the edges then your ready to clamp and trim, then remove clips one by one and glue behind each clip replacing the clip after glue has been applied , repeat until all clips have been glued behind ... Pics to follow

[xcharlesy]

glue is a major waste of time

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by xcharlesy

glue is a major waste of time

This man speaks the truth.

[mdosu]

sorry...slight thread jack, but thanks for the pictures and instructions. I followed it but installed the F30 M Peformance knob instead.

thanks, again.

[Ken37.73]

Installed. Trashed the old gaiter removing the base which may not be typical. Fully glued on unlike the F10. Did not glue but fastened the leather back onto itself underneath using carpet (gaffa) tape. Cut generous holes for the clips and it went on a dream.

Removing old gear knob. I put the car in second and sat in the back with my legs either side of the transmission tunnel. No problem getting enough leverage from there.

[Sean@PSI]

Great mod.

[epbb]

Originally Posted by Ricfutures

Just ordered the knob and boot and will attempt this sometime next week. Great info, thanks for the write up. I have a Rogue SSK so i'll let you guys know how everything works.

How did this turn out? I'm installing this exact setup next week.

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by MMM3PWR

Just installed my new shift knob... Found it pretty simple, when you are fitting the new leather to your existing ring I found that if you pull the leather down until there is minimal slack around the edges then your ready to clamp and trim, then remove clips one by one and glue behind each clip replacing the clip after glue has been applied , repeat until all clips have been glued behind ... Pics to follow

I pushed my ring down as tight as it could go and going into reverse caused it to lift the base plate to unsnap.

So I wouldnt push that ring down too tight.

[JSure03]

This looks like the perfect excuse to replace my shift knob which looks like it has a small air bubble in it or something. Anyone know if leather is the only option for boot material (sticking with the F10 knob)?