Let's Install Alcantara Tricolor ///M-stitch Boots - M3 Forum 2010 2009 BMW M3 2008 BMW M3 BMW E90 M3 E92

JonM · 11-06-2008, 09:05 PM

Start with the shift boot. To remove it, pull up by pinching the leather along the 2 longest sides. The boot is snapped into the console and it will come up when you pull.

Once the boot is unsnapped, reach in and disconnect the wire harness that powers the lighted shift knob.

Pull the shift knob straight up. Use 2 hands. Be careful not to hit yourself in the face when you do this, or hit your knuckles on the rear view mirror. Remember: do not twist the knob as you pull. It will unsnap from the selector rod.

If you are re-using your stock shift knob, you will need to cut it off of the stock boot and glue the exposed leather onto the rim of the shift knob. Use a good contact cement for this like 3M Wedgewood that you can buy at Lowes stores. Turn your aftermarket or replacement boot inside out. Feed the wire harness for your lighted knob (if you are using one) through the neck opening of your new boot. Slide your new boot onto the selector rod. Line up your knob and snap it onto the selector rod.

Connect the wire harness. Turn your boot right side out and snap the new boot onto the center console.

Then move on to the e-brake boot. To remove the stock boot, pull up at the back of the boot by pinching the leather with your fingers. No tools.

Turn the boot inside out over the e-brake handle.

Cut the factory tie wrap off at the neck of the boot and slide the boot off of the e-brake assembly. Turn your aftermarket boot inside out and slide it back onto the e-brake assembly. Re-install a new tie wrap and make sure you line it up to the groove in the brake handle. Take care to make sure you secure the entire neck of the new boot, all the way around the handle.

Turn the boot right side out. Snap it back into the console.

Good job. Remember to use genuine Alcantara and not Ultrasuede or a lower grade product. BMW always uses real Alcantara which is actually a very dark gray.

Straz M3 · 11-06-2008, 09:23 PM

Looks great...going to order mine now from LeatherZ. I've done this so many times in my old cars but I've never reused the stock knob. Was it hard to cut the leather and glue it down? I feel like it won't look flush if I do this. Any pics of exactly how you did it? Thanks!

MDCTFTW · 11-06-2008, 09:56 PM

Nice writeup! Not sure I like the look over stock though.

Seth_Horwitz · 11-08-2008, 01:08 PM

Sorry if this has been asked before, but can the DCT boot be swapped as well? Nice install.

Speedtrap · 11-08-2008, 02:09 PM

Thanks for sharing..a great mod

Big Windy · 11-08-2008, 04:35 PM

would probably fit well if you had an alcantara wheel, but it seems a bit out of place to me.

bmstyle71 · 11-08-2008, 07:21 PM

It's nice but doesn't completely blend in with the rest of the interior around it. The shift knob is black then all of a sudden it gets to a brownish color.

mvagusta · 11-08-2008, 09:36 PM

I have a stock m3 knob for sale pm me..... Since i changed mine for a issota...I'll put pictures when i'm done with the interior...

JonM · 11-09-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth_Horwitz

Sorry if this has been asked before, but can the DCT boot be swapped as well? Nice install.

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmstyle71

It's nice but doesn't completely blend in with the rest of the interior around it. The shift knob is black then all of a sudden it gets to a brownish color.

I hear you. Black leather with M stitching is my personal choice. Or, if it must be alcantara, then the knob should/could be upgraded to alcantara too.

JonM · 11-09-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Straz M3

Was it hard to cut the leather and glue it down? I feel like it won't look flush if I do this. Any pics of exactly how you did it? Thanks!

It is easy. Be careful not to cut the wire harness. Leave about 1/8" leather from the bottom of the shift knob. Paint the inside of the leather and the end of the knob with contact cement. Wait 10 minutes, then press the leather in place. You can clamp it for an hour if you want, or hold the knob with some pressure for a few minutes.

youyou · 11-09-2008, 08:12 PM

I would definitely get this in black leather with ///M stitching.
Is it available?
Thanks

dar2008 · 11-10-2008, 05:33 AM

This just looks SO wrong! The sort of thing my 12year old would put together in needlework classes,... nice, but not in a 70k sports car

watrob · 11-10-2008, 07:40 AM

Man, why would'nt just take off these covers, take it down the cap shop that embroiders caps and ask them to sew a Red & Blue stitch down each seam. This way you still have the nice leather and end up with the BMW look stitching.

It would probably cost $10.

My $0.02

JonM · 11-10-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watrob

Man, why would'nt just take off these covers, take it down the cap shop that embroiders caps and ask them to sew a Red & Blue stitch down each seam. This way you still have the nice leather and end up with the BMW look stitching.

It would probably cost $10.

My $0.02

If you think that would look good, you are welcome to do that.

Eurotrash8 · 11-10-2008, 10:57 AM

Nice DIY..........is that a civic or a Neon?

watrob · 11-10-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonM

If you think that would look good, you are welcome to do that.

At least it would match the steering wheel!

!Xoible · 11-10-2008, 06:24 PM

i have a shift boot and ebrake boot for sale btw.... PM me guys... i bought them and changed cars and never had time to do it....
oh they're leather, not alcantra btw

watrob · 11-10-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

i have a shift boot and ebrake boot for sale btw.... PM me guys... i bought them and changed cars and never had time to do it....
oh they're leather, not alcantra btw

Got some pics?

Blip Bavarian · 11-10-2008, 10:46 PM

I always love your DIY's, and think that this looks pretty good. But shouldnt the stitching be red purple and blue, instead of red white and blue?

keep up the great DIY's

TTG · 11-11-2008, 01:36 AM

Sorry, stock looks so much better IMO......

Saturn · 11-16-2008, 05:38 PM

Nice DIY.

I'm wondering if it is possible to get shift/ebrake boots in CF leather? Is the material flexible enough?

ersin · 11-19-2008, 05:18 PM

I've seen some Alcantara boots. They look better in person, but I think I would like plain stitching on Alcantara better. What looks very high class is Alcantara roof lining like in the E39 M5.

11-06-2008, 09:05 PM	#1
JonM Private First Class Drives: E90 M3 Sedan Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 100 iTrader: (2)	Let's Install Alcantara Tricolor ///M-stitch Boots Start with the shift boot. To remove it, pull up by pinching the leather along the 2 longest sides. The boot is snapped into the console and it will come up when you pull. Once the boot is unsnapped, reach in and disconnect the wire harness that powers the lighted shift knob. Pull the shift knob straight up. Use 2 hands. Be careful not to hit yourself in the face when you do this, or hit your knuckles on the rear view mirror. Remember: do not twist the knob as you pull. It will unsnap from the selector rod. If you are re-using your stock shift knob, you will need to cut it off of the stock boot and glue the exposed leather onto the rim of the shift knob. Use a good contact cement for this like 3M Wedgewood that you can buy at Lowes stores. Turn your aftermarket or replacement boot inside out. Feed the wire harness for your lighted knob (if you are using one) through the neck opening of your new boot. Slide your new boot onto the selector rod. Line up your knob and snap it onto the selector rod. Connect the wire harness. Turn your boot right side out and snap the new boot onto the center console. Then move on to the e-brake boot. To remove the stock boot, pull up at the back of the boot by pinching the leather with your fingers. No tools. Turn the boot inside out over the e-brake handle. Cut the factory tie wrap off at the neck of the boot and slide the boot off of the e-brake assembly. Turn your aftermarket boot inside out and slide it back onto the e-brake assembly. Re-install a new tie wrap and make sure you line it up to the groove in the brake handle. Take care to make sure you secure the entire neck of the new boot, all the way around the handle. Turn the boot right side out. Snap it back into the console. Good job. Remember to use genuine Alcantara and not Ultrasuede or a lower grade product. BMW always uses real Alcantara which is actually a very dark gray. __________________ Jon Maddux 09 F650GS \| 08 M3 Sedan \| 07 R1200RT \| 07 R1200S \| 01 M coupe

11-06-2008, 09:23 PM	#2
Straz M3 Alpine White / Fox Red E92 M3 Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 1,141 iTrader: (2)	Looks great...going to order mine now from LeatherZ. I've done this so many times in my old cars but I've never reused the stock knob. Was it hard to cut the leather and glue it down? I feel like it won't look flush if I do this. Any pics of exactly how you did it? Thanks! __________________ 2008 E92 M3 Alpine White / Fox Red / Carbon Fiber Family's Cars: 08' Audi S6, 08 X5 4.8i, 06 X3 3.0i, 07 G37s Coupe

11-06-2008, 09:56 PM	#3
MDCTFTW Lieutenant Colonel Drives: E92 DCT Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norcal Posts: 1,790 iTrader: (0)	Nice writeup! Not sure I like the look over stock though. __________________ MDCT ... so you can drive and eat a hamburger at the same time.

11-08-2008, 02:09 PM	#5
Speedtrap Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2008 E92 M3 IB/Bamboo & E83 X3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London Posts: 1,805 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for sharing..a great mod __________________

11-09-2008, 08:12 PM	#11
youyou Colonel Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 2,182 iTrader: (0)	I would definitely get this in black leather with ///M stitching. Is it available? Thanks __________________ Retired - 2010 S5 Cabriolet Ibis White ADS , Nav , B&O , Carbon Fiber Trim , S-Tronic Retired - 2008 M3 E93 Alpine White - M-Drive , Executive , EDC , 19'', 6MT Retired - 2007 335 E92 AW/CR / Sport Package / Premium Package/Navigation / CA / PDC

11-08-2008, 01:08 PM	#4
Seth_Horwitz Tired of feather footed //M drivers Drives: 330ci, 911 Turbo X50 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 389 iTrader: (0)	Sorry if this has been asked before, but can the DCT boot be swapped as well? Nice install.

11-08-2008, 04:35 PM	#6
Big Windy Major General Drives: nothing at the moment Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: seatac, wa Posts: 5,171 iTrader: (0) View Big Windy's Garage	would probably fit well if you had an alcantara wheel, but it seems a bit out of place to me.

11-08-2008, 07:21 PM	#7
bmstyle71 Lieutenant Drives: jet black e92 m3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: tampa florida Posts: 597 iTrader: (0)	It's nice but doesn't completely blend in with the rest of the interior around it. The shift knob is black then all of a sudden it gets to a brownish color.

11-08-2008, 09:36 PM	#8
mvagusta Lieutenant Drives: 2008 m3 coup Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 471 iTrader: (1)	I have a stock m3 knob for sale pm me..... Since i changed mine for a issota...I'll put pictures when i'm done with the interior...

11-10-2008, 05:33 AM	#12
dar2008 Lieutenant Drives: e93 M3 Convertible! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bromley, UK Posts: 524 iTrader: (0)	This just looks SO wrong! The sort of thing my 12year old would put together in needlework classes,... nice, but not in a 70k sports car __________________ It's arrived, e93 M3 Convertible: M-DCT, JzB / extended BB, and most of the options.

11-10-2008, 07:40 AM	#13
watrob Major Drives: M3 e93 Covertible - Melb Red Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brisbane - Australia Posts: 1,226 iTrader: (0)	Man, why would'nt just take off these covers, take it down the cap shop that embroiders caps and ask them to sew a Red & Blue stitch down each seam. This way you still have the nice leather and end up with the BMW look stitching. It would probably cost $10. My $0.02 __________________ 2008 M3 e93 Melb Red Vert, DCT, M-Drive, EDC, Tech Pkg, Premium Sound, Novillo Extended Leather, Heated Seats, iPod\usb, Dark Tint Windows, Matts, Wind Deflector, Eisenmann Race Exhaust, DTM Rear Spoiler, Matte Black Kidney & Side Grills, Forged 360 Mesh 8 Black Matte 20" Wheels, they have finally arrived but not yet fitted.

11-10-2008, 10:57 AM	#15
Eurotrash8 Lieutenant Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 418 iTrader: (2)	Nice DIY..........is that a civic or a Neon?

11-10-2008, 06:24 PM	#17
!Xoible Banned Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . Posts: 1,669 iTrader: (4) View !Xoible's Garage	i have a shift boot and ebrake boot for sale btw.... PM me guys... i bought them and changed cars and never had time to do it.... oh they're leather, not alcantra btw

11-10-2008, 10:46 PM	#19
Blip Bavarian salivator Drives: E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 462 iTrader: (0)	I always love your DIY's, and think that this looks pretty good. But shouldnt the stitching be red purple and blue, instead of red white and blue? keep up the great DIY's __________________

11-11-2008, 01:36 AM	#20
TTG Lieutenant Colonel Drives: On Order 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,693 iTrader: (1) View TTG's Garage	Sorry, stock looks so much better IMO...... __________________ On order: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP, ZTP, ZPP, Heated Seats, 6FL, PDC, Alarm & Sunshade .....ED Pick up April 22nd, 2010 Retired: 2007 E92 335i -Space Gray, Black Leatherette + Alum, Nav, ZCW, ZSP, PDC, CA & Sunshade

11-16-2008, 05:38 PM	#21
Saturn Private First Class Drives: Subaru STi Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 140 iTrader: (0)	Nice DIY. I'm wondering if it is possible to get shift/ebrake boots in CF leather? Is the material flexible enough?

11-19-2008, 05:18 PM	#22
ersin Colonel Drives: 08 IB E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,073 iTrader: (0)	I've seen some Alcantara boots. They look better in person, but I think I would like plain stitching on Alcantara better. What looks very high class is Alcantara roof lining like in the E39 M5. __________________ I've been assimilated. 6MT/ZPP/18"/PS extended.