Illuminated ZHP knob for $99!

[dom_cmh]

If you have a 6MT and have not yet changed to the ZHP knob you are missing out... I had a E46 ZHP in the past and loved it. The problem is I wanted an illuminated knob and didn't feel confident in my ability to perform surgery on the OEM one. I also didn't want to pay the crazy prices some of the vendors are charging to modify them.

I took a gamble and bought this off of eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-M-ZHP-Le...#ht_500wt_1140

I'm pleased to report it is an OEM model that has been modified to be lighted and very well done. It ships from Germany so it takes a few weeks to get here. Install was a breeze per the various DYI threads on here. The color of the illumination is a little bit more red in color vs the factory knob but it is very bright, not all like some of the DYI folks mentioned. It looks great overall and feels amazing to shift!

If you have not done so...Do it!

[THE TECH]

Yeah, several who have bought this reported that it was a nice piece.

[BLACK OPS]

Nice. Good price. I'd like to see your install comparison pics when complete.

[Gins]

Looks good! Looks like only the M doesn't light up like the stocker. This is probably the way to go!

[urBan_dK]

It's definitely a gamble with the seller. I purchased one and the wire came out during the install (right near the lighted panel) so the light doesn't work.

I'm trying to do an exchange for a functional one with him but the language barrier is a nightmare. He speaks extremely little English.

[chris s]

Is the picture if the illumination accurate? It's only the "M" that really looks kinda bad... But for $99, i can probably love with that!

[dom_cmh]

Originally Posted by chris s

Is the picture if the illumination accurate? It's only the "M" that really looks kinda bad... But for $99, i can probably love with that!

The picture on the link is fairly accurate. The M does not light up. It looks like part of the M is lit in that picture but I'm thinking that's just the reflection. Also, the color is a little more red than the stock orange but it's close enough for me.

[ottoblotto]

Funny, I just ordered this off of him because of the thread on lighted ZHPs I was reading the day before yesterday. Everyone said it was decent and that some had the M light up and some didnt. Ill be home next week and will be able to find out for myself as he is shipping it direct to my German address. Ill post pix of what I got and how it goes. Still looking for a boot replacement as I really dont want to hack up the one on the car now... Ideas?

[dom_cmh]

Originally Posted by ottoblotto

Funny, I just ordered this off of him because of the thread on lighted ZHPs I was reading the day before yesterday. Everyone said it was decent and that some had the M light up and some didnt. Ill be home next week and will be able to find out for myself as he is shipping it direct to my German address. Ill post pix of what I got and how it goes. Still looking for a boot replacement as I really dont want to hack up the one on the car now... Ideas?

I didn't worry about hacking up the boot. From the pics of others who did the mod (and now from my own experience) it looks great and there's no evidence that the boot was "cut" based on how it goes back together.

That being said I'm never going to part-out the knob if/when I sell the car so I really can't see a reason I'd ever want to go back to OEM. If for some reason that rare day comes and I do, then I could buy the OEM knob and boot at that time.

[ottoblotto]

Im pretty sure that I wont go back either, and I also dont think Ill be selling the car anytime soon. Ill prob just cut the boot... Plus, itll save me some $ for my next mod.

[BLACK OPS]

Originally Posted by dom_cmh

I didn't worry about hacking up the boot. From the pics of others who did the mod (and now from my own experience) it looks great and there's no evidence that the boot was "cut" based on how it goes back together.

That being said I'm never going to part-out the knob if/when I sell the car so I really can't see a reason I'd ever want to go back to OEM. If for some reason that rare day comes and I do, then I could buy the OEM knob and boot at that time.

How much of the boot is necessary to cut for the ZHP knob? Where else can you find a new boot for the ZHP?

[urBan_dK]

Originally Posted by BLACK OPS

How much of the boot is necessary to cut for the ZHP knob? Where else can you find a new boot for the ZHP?

http://leatherz.com/

[dom_cmh]

Originally Posted by BLACK OPS

How much of the boot is necessary to cut for the ZHP knob? Where else can you find a new boot for the ZHP?

You have to separate the knob from the boot where the knob ends and boot begins. It's easy to do and determine where. Check out the DYI threads in this forum which have great pictures and show you the finished product. If you really don't want to go with LeatherZ as someone else said.

[Exclusivs]

Have been in contact with Andy from Leather Z.

He recommended not to buy the "M" logo shift knob, because it doesn't light up well. So guess I'll be going with the regular 6 gear ZHP version.

Will also be buying a new boot from his as well- don't feel like chopping up my oem unit.

[BLACK OPS]

Originally Posted by ExclusivSTS

Have been in contact with Andy from Leather Z.

He recommended not to buy the "M" logo shift knob, because it doesn't light up well. So guess I'll be going with the regular 6 gear ZHP version.

Will also be buying a new boot from his as well- don't feel like chopping up my oem unit.

Well to get the black leather boot with M stitching with illum short ZHP shifter is a cold $600.00.

[Exclusivs]

As appose to?

[BLACK OPS]

Originally Posted by ExclusivSTS

As appose to?

To doing it half-a@@ with some ebay knock offs....

I would put down the 600 also. Just sayin

[isugoo]

I was debating between this eBay German vs. Leather Z.
But as it seems a bit more red than the OEM orange, I went with Leather Z.
I supplied my own M 6 speed pattern from my OEM knob, I was able to save some $$.
Total came out 160 + 8 dollar shipping.

[Exclusivs]

What's he asking new for the illuminated knob?

$240 as I remember?

[ottoblotto]

Originally Posted by BLACK OPS

To doing it half-a@@ with some ebay knock offs....

I would put down the 600 also. Just sayin

I dont think they are knock offs, Ill let you know once I get home and have it in hand. But, if you got the scratch, go ahead. Ill use the extra $500 I saved for the Splitters...

[M3garage]

I purchased my shiftboot and e-brake boot from these guys http://ww.RedlineGoods.com/ and the quality is really good. I chose to go with the m stitching that matches the stitching on the steering wheel. The stitching is a perfect match. I purchased the shift knob from leatherz and it was pricey but i love the quality and of course the lighting color exactly matches the rest of the interior. The ///M lights up the same as the oem knob.

[stefan]

IMO if you want an illuminated ZHP knob, you are clearly the OCD type. In that case, there's only one option and that's AndyM / LeatherZ.

Otherwise it looks fine without the totally unnecessary installation. BTW, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being OCD--most of us are borderline on here--I'm just saying if you can't deal with a non-illuminated knob, you're going to have issues if the FnF isn't 100% perfect from random ebay seller here.