BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > Cosmetic/Visual (Exterior + Interior) Modifications
 
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-18-2018, 08:22 AM   #1
BPe90M3
Captain
BPe90M3's Avatar
United_States
256
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW e92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (2)

Shift knob

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a shift knob. Its between the f10 knob and the f30 Mperformance knob. Right now I am leaning towards the M performance, but regardless either one will require some modification.

Im thinking about picking up an extra e92 OEM boot on ebay so I can keep a stock one if need be.

My main question is about OEM finish. I dont want to install anything thats going to look shoddy. A few installs of the F10 knob either looked billowed right under the knob, or if the other method was done, the base of the shifter looks all jacked up.

What is the best way to do it in terms of fit and finish? If anyone has had either knob, posting your experience with it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2018, 09:39 AM   #2
Banana Hammock
Beefcake
Banana Hammock's Avatar
3769
Rep
711
Posts

Drives: NA
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (2)

When I installed my ZHP knob, I put the stock boot on inside out and upside down then zip tied the top then inverted it over the rest of the shifter. This gives the top of the boot a nice rolled edge that meets up nicely with the bottom of the shift knob.
Appreciate 1
Ali-E90370.50
      07-18-2018, 09:41 AM   #3
BPe90M3
Captain
BPe90M3's Avatar
United_States
256
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW e92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by pasghetti View Post
When I installed my ZHP knob, I put the stock boot on inside out and upside down then zip tied the top then inverted it over the rest of the shifter. This gives the top of the boot a nice rolled edge that meets up nicely with the bottom of the shift knob.
So you went the route of cutting just under the knob correct? (As opposed to taking the base ring out). This certainly seems like the easier and cleaner way, but I feel like a zip tie would make it bulky looking under the leather. I wonder if there are any other options to clamp in down.
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2018, 09:47 AM   #4
Banana Hammock
Beefcake
Banana Hammock's Avatar
3769
Rep
711
Posts

Drives: NA
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BPe90M3 View Post
So you went the route of cutting just under the knob correct? (As opposed to taking the base ring out). This certainly seems like the easier and cleaner way, but I feel like a zip tie would make it bulky looking under the leather. I wonder if there are any other options to clamp in down.
Taking the base ring out certainly works if you're buying the F10 knob but the shape is different so you'll have to finagle it to fit on the OEM ring. There are members who have done this and there is a guide so it can be done and it does look very clean. You don't need a very thick zip tie to hold the leather. The fact that the shifter arm is tapered and the base of the shift knob is wide, you won't feel or see it at all.
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2018, 09:50 AM   #5
BPe90M3
Captain
BPe90M3's Avatar
United_States
256
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW e92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by pasghetti View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by BPe90M3 View Post
So you went the route of cutting just under the knob correct? (As opposed to taking the base ring out). This certainly seems like the easier and cleaner way, but I feel like a zip tie would make it bulky looking under the leather. I wonder if there are any other options to clamp in down.
Taking the base ring out certainly works if you're buying the F10 knob but the shape is different so you'll have to finagle it to fit on the OEM ring. You don't need a very thick zip tie to hold the leather. The fact that the shifter arm is tapered and the base of the shift knob is wide, you won't feel or see it at all.
Cool. Im going to try and tackle this. Now just need to decide which knob. I guess I can hold off on spending the extra 150-200 on an OEM shift boot. If I ever want to go back to stock, I guess its simple enough to just buy one at that point.
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2018, 04:19 PM   #6
shimmy23
F15 daddymobile
shimmy23's Avatar
2330
Rep
3,496
Posts

Drives: GS X5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: WA

iTrader: (3)

I'm expecting nothing less than perfection from you
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-18-2018, 04:26 PM   #7
BPe90M3
Captain
BPe90M3's Avatar
United_States
256
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW e92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by shimmy23 View Post
I'm expecting nothing less than perfection from you
fair expectation lol
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 07:51 AM   #8
shimmy23
F15 daddymobile
shimmy23's Avatar
2330
Rep
3,496
Posts

Drives: GS X5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: WA

iTrader: (3)

Have you considered the zhp knob? It’s looks similar to the f10 without illumination. You would reuse your boot
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 07:53 AM   #9
BPe90M3
Captain
BPe90M3's Avatar
United_States
256
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW e92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by shimmy23 View Post
Have you considered the zhp knob? It’s looks similar to the f10 without illumination. You would reuse your boot
I have, but I figured if I went with that style, I would keep it as close to OEM as possible with the f10 knob. Pretty sure you can reuse your boot with the f10 knob by cutting just below the knob.
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 09:30 AM   #10
s14_kev
Major
s14_kev's Avatar
367
Rep
1,036
Posts

Drives: E90 M3, E30 M3
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (21)

My car came with the m perf knob from the previous owner and I hated it. It's too small and short and it really throws off the shifting feel IMO. I went with the F10 M5 knob and I'm happy with it. I did the base ring swap and it took a couple hours (mostly waiting for glue to dry). There's a vid on YouTube that's really helpful, just search M3 F10 M5 shift knob.
Attached Images
   
__________________
Akrapovic | AngeliBright | APEX | Hankook | IND | JRZ RS1 | Macht Schnell | Mode Carbon | Vorsteiner
Appreciate 1
shmad111.50
      07-21-2018, 09:50 AM   #11
BPe90M3
Captain
BPe90M3's Avatar
United_States
256
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW e92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin///mlee View Post
My car came with the m perf knob from the previous owner and I hated it. It's too small and short and it really throws off the shifting feel IMO. I went with the F10 M5 knob and I'm happy with it. I did the base ring swap and it took a couple hours (mostly waiting for glue to dry). There's a vid on YouTube that's really helpful, just search M3 F10 M5 shift knob.
Hmm. Ill take your word for it. I really love the way the mperformance one looks, but Most important thing is improving shift feel.

So you did the other method of swapping rings. I have read this is more difficult to do "cleanly" but your came out excellent.
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 10:24 AM   #12
s14_kev
Major
s14_kev's Avatar
367
Rep
1,036
Posts

Drives: E90 M3, E30 M3
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (21)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BPe90M3 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevin///mlee View Post
My car came with the m perf knob from the previous owner and I hated it. It's too small and short and it really throws off the shifting feel IMO. I went with the F10 M5 knob and I'm happy with it. I did the base ring swap and it took a couple hours (mostly waiting for glue to dry). There's a vid on YouTube that's really helpful, just search M3 F10 M5 shift knob.
Hmm. Ill take your word for it. I really love the way the mperformance one looks, but Most important thing is improving shift feel.

So you did the other method of swapping rings. I have read this is more difficult to do "cleanly" but your came out excellent.
I used these instructions and followed them 100%



I don't think this method is hard, it just takes some time. I also feel like this method has less chances of damaging the actual knob vs the boot removal method and I like the integrated boot feature. It feels like it came this way from the factory.
__________________
Akrapovic | AngeliBright | APEX | Hankook | IND | JRZ RS1 | Macht Schnell | Mode Carbon | Vorsteiner
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 10:26 AM   #13
s14_kev
Major
s14_kev's Avatar
367
Rep
1,036
Posts

Drives: E90 M3, E30 M3
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (21)

Pics of the m performance knob. It does look really nice, I just wish it felt right on this car.
Attached Images
   
__________________
Akrapovic | AngeliBright | APEX | Hankook | IND | JRZ RS1 | Macht Schnell | Mode Carbon | Vorsteiner
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2018, 11:03 AM   #14
spazzyfry123
Lieutenant Colonel
spazzyfry123's Avatar
4307
Rep
1,912
Posts

Drives: Here and There
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: North Georgia Mountains

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
I also didn't like the M Performance knob. It felt too small, and if you're after OEM look...eh I don't think this is it. I have the ZHP knob complimenting my Auto Solutions shifter. It's the choice.
Appreciate 2
shimmy232330.00
s14_kev367.00
      07-21-2018, 01:33 PM   #15
shimmy23
F15 daddymobile
shimmy23's Avatar
2330
Rep
3,496
Posts

Drives: GS X5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: WA

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BPe90M3 View Post
I have, but I figured if I went with that style, I would keep it as close to OEM as possible with the f10 knob. Pretty sure you can reuse your boot with the f10 knob by cutting just below the knob.
the f10 knob comes built in with a boot itself. So you're thinking you'd cut the f10 knob off its boot, then install with your boot? Why all the effort. If you go f10 then swap out the rings.

if you don't care about lumination, just go with the zhp know and cut your goose neck knob off, reuse your boot and install the zhp know. its the easiest install option and closest to factory look IMO.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      07-25-2018, 12:32 PM   #16
M3 Number 86
Major General
3220
Rep
6,218
Posts

Drives: black m3
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: pasadena

iTrader: (1)

I wonder if you can lay the original (m3) boot flat and trace it out, then use it as a template to cut the F10 boot. Then it'll just glue on exactly.

I might have to visit one of these sweat shops to do this lols
__________________
Appreciate 0
      10-29-2018, 10:57 AM   #17
cvstar9M3
Major
cvstar9M3's Avatar
United_States
281
Rep
1,089
Posts

Drives: 2011 MR e90ZCP 6-MT
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: The Bean

iTrader: (1)

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/25112283015/. I want todo this mod. is this the m5 f10 shifter everyone is referring to?
__________________
2011 MR e90ZCP, 6-mt
2011.75 e90 M3 ZCP, DCT, ZP2, ZCV, JB w/ 2Toned FoxRed/Black Interior - SOLD
Appreciate 0
      11-19-2018, 01:34 PM   #18
BPe90M3
Captain
BPe90M3's Avatar
United_States
256
Rep
769
Posts

Drives: 2011.75 AW e92 M3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Jersey

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by cvstar9M3 View Post
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...r/25112283015/. I want todo this mod. is this the m5 f10 shifter everyone is referring to?
Sorry for the delay, but no that's not it. It is this one:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...d/25112284205/
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:55 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST