F10 M5 Shift Knob: remove M5 boot retainer clip?

[BimmFiniti]

I need some help installing an F10 M5 illuminated shift knob along with a new boot from redline. Unlike the existing DIY on this topic (which reused the entire knob+boot), I have removed the M5 boot assembly from the knob and will be putting a new (M3 tri-color stiching) boot on with the knob.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as straightforward as I'd hoped. As I carefully removed the boot from the M5 knob I noticed a white, plastic boot retention disc is what I'm actually removing the boot from. I also discover I've broken a snap holding the retention disc to the knob (you can see the remaining retention snap in the side view) and the wires from the knob are fed through holes in the disc. See the pictures of the knob+disc assembly.



I've looked through numerous shift knob install threads, I never see this white, plastic disc on any of these knobs. Some comments / questions:

1) I hope the broken tab attaching the knob to the disc is of no concern and am wondering what to do with the other tab on the knob? Break it off, too?

2) I am assuming the plastic disc is unique to attaching the M5 boot to the knob and I want to cut this disc off (protecting the wire feed-through section), attach the new boot to the shift assembly with a zip tie and click the new knob over top. Can someone confirm I don't want that disc?

3) Has anyone actually removed an F10 M5 illuminated shift knob from its boot and installed it on an E9x? Some guidance / assurance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the help

[BimmFiniti]

Not a lot of interest or experience on this topic, I guess...

After looking at the M5 assembly a bit further, I think my plan will be:
- Keep the disc on there
- Rather than zip tie the new boot on the shifter as described in all the DIYs, glue the new boot to the disc, as was done for the OEM M5 assembly, and maybe glue the disc to the knob (probably not; only if necessary).

My new boot is still a few days out. Will post pictures of the completed shifter in the car. I'm hoping a ZHP knob and tri-color-stitched boot will look great. I really think this should be the OEM configuration considering the steering wheel has this stitching.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by BimmFiniti

Not a lot of interest or experience on this topic, I guess...

After looking at the M5 assembly a bit further, I think my plan will be:
- Keep the disc on there
- Rather than zip tie the new boot on the shifter as described in all the DIYs, glue the new boot to the disc, as was done for the OEM M5 assembly, and maybe glue the disc to the knob (probably not; only if necessary).

My new boot is still a few days out. Will post pictures of the completed shifter in the car. I'm hoping a ZHP knob and tri-color-stitched boot will look great. I really think this should be the OEM configuration considering the steering wheel has this stitching.

Check the DIY section, lots of people have dropped coin on this mod.

[330iTiAg]

Are you getting your tri-stitched M3 boot from IND?

Several months ago, I thought about doing the exact same thing you're doing. However, I was afraid really messing things up trying to separate the F10 M5 boot from the knob. So, I just let IND do the whole thing. It cost more, but their work looks factory. And, the knob feels and looks a lot better than stock.

[IB M]

Interested to see your results. I have had and continue to have a low pitch vibration / rattle that I can't eliminate. Only happens in third gear. Comes from under the boot just below the knob. I might do the same swap.

[BimmFiniti]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Check the DIY section, lots of people have dropped coin on this mod.

Looked through all of them I could find. No one has actually taken the boot off the M5 knob and used the illuminated knob. Once you take the boot off there is a plastic disc for retention of the boot that is not on the other knobs.

[BimmFiniti]

Originally Posted by 330iTiAg

Are you getting your tri-stitched M3 boot from IND?

Several months ago, I thought about doing the exact same thing you're doing. However, I was afraid really messing things up trying to separate the F10 M5 boot from the knob. So, I just let IND do the whole thing. It cost more, but their work looks factory. And, the knob feels and looks a lot better than stock.

No, I went the separate pieces route. Perhaps I'll regret it? I bought the complete M5 knob+boot from Tischer and have ordered a boot from redline (black leather with tri-color stitching).

Separating the knob from the boot wasn't too bad, actually, but I'm a bit puzzled with what to do with the plastic disc that was glued to the boot. I think I'm going to try to glue the redline boot to the disc, a la OEM.

We shall see!!

[BimmFiniti]

Originally Posted by IB M

Interested to see your results. I have had and continue to have a low pitch vibration / rattle that I can't eliminate. Only happens in third gear. Comes from under the boot just below the knob. I might do the same swap.

I'll definitely take some pics when I get it all done. Really looking forward to the lower-profile and beefier knob and have always looked at my stock boot and wondered why BMW didn't tri-stitch it. If I'm able to get the look right, I think it will be awesome!

[Gbiz]

Yes, I did this recently myself. I was going to install a new shift boot but it didn't work out that great for me. I still have that knob and with the plastic still attached if you're interested. Basically you're stuck with using that plastic ring to zip tie another shift boot on. Hope this helps. Btw, I'll be selling mine soon. I'm working on a different plan for the e-brake and shift boot and shifter.

Originally Posted by BimmFiniti

I need some help installing an F10 M5 illuminated shift knob along with a new boot from redline. Unlike the existing DIY on this topic (which reused the entire knob+boot), I have removed the M5 boot assembly from the knob and will be putting a new (M3 tri-color stiching) boot on with the knob.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as straightforward as I'd hoped. As I carefully removed the boot from the M5 knob I noticed a white, plastic boot retention disc is what I'm actually removing the boot from. I also discover I've broken a snap holding the retention disc to the knob (you can see the remaining retention snap in the side view) and the wires from the knob are fed through holes in the disc. See the pictures of the knob+disc assembly.
Attachment 963236
Attachment 963237

I've looked through numerous shift knob install threads, I never see this white, plastic disc on any of these knobs. Some comments / questions:

1) I hope the broken tab attaching the knob to the disc is of no concern and am wondering what to do with the other tab on the knob? Break it off, too?

2) I am assuming the plastic disc is unique to attaching the M5 boot to the knob and I want to cut this disc off (protecting the wire feed-through section), attach the new boot to the shift assembly with a zip tie and click the new knob over top. Can someone confirm I don't want that disc?

3) Has anyone actually removed an F10 M5 illuminated shift knob from its boot and installed it on an E9x? Some guidance / assurance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the help

[BimmFiniti]

Originally Posted by got da booze

Yes, I did this recently myself. I was going to install a new shift boot but it didn't work out that great for me. I still have that knob and with the plastic still attached if you're interested. Basically you're stuck with using that plastic ring to zip tie another shift boot on. Hope this helps. Btw, I'll be selling mine soon. I'm working on a different plan for the e-brake and shift boot and shifter.

Can you give me any information on why it didn't work for you?

I am considering two options and would like to get your thoughts on them if you've tried this before:

1) Glue the new boot to the disc, just like the OEM assembly. At that point, it should work just like an OEM unit. I can clip the knob to the disc and insert it on the shifter.

2) Cut off the disc, cut off the remaining tab on the knob and then proceed just like the other DIYs. Zip-tie the boot to the shifter inside out and put the knob on.

[BimmFiniti]

Originally Posted by Mr Sparkle

i'm a bit confused on what you meant by the "retainer clip" can you circle it on your pic? Is it that plastic "O" shaped piece? - If so, I might be able to help. Also, how did you break it? Your pic is a bit fuzzy, but did you break the "O" ring? Or is it broken b/c it's now detached from the metal ring?

Ya, it's a white plastic disc. The only thing that's broken is the tab that attaches it to the knob. There may not be a way to remove the boot from the knob without breaking the tab, I don't know.

I think I'm going to keep it attached and try to glue the new boot to that disc, which is how the original assembly was done.

A few people on this forum (myself included) did the F30 M Performance mod, which requires a swapping of knob onto the E9X stem.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...rformance+knob

When I did the F30 swap, I still have my old illuminated OEM M3 shift knob in tact, which might be a direct swap into your broken piece on your M5 knob. If you want to buy my knob off me, I'll be happy to sell it.

Thanks for the offer but I still have my OEM knob, too.

[Gbiz]

1. I considered gluing the boot to the shifter, but it would look wierd because the metal part would not be covering the seams; in short it would look bad.

2. I considered that as well, but wanted to retain the illumination function. I figured that if I cut off the plastic the function would be lost.

Originally Posted by BimmFiniti

Can you give me any information on why it didn't work for you?

I am considering two options and would like to get your thoughts on them if you've tried this before:

1) Glue the new boot to the disc, just like the OEM assembly. At that point, it should work just like an OEM unit. I can clip the knob to the disc and insert it on the shifter.

2) Cut off the disc, cut off the remaining tab on the knob and then proceed just like the other DIYs. Zip-tie the boot to the shifter inside out and put the knob on.

[ijnoj09]

I cut that white disc thing off when I did this mod. I also did the IND tri-stitch boot upgrade.

[BimmFiniti]

Originally Posted by ijnoj09

I cut that white disc thing off when I did this mod. I also did the IND tri-stitch boot upgrade.

I sure wish I had done the IND tri-stitch boot. I ordered a tri-stitch boot from redlinegoods.com literally a month ago (January 1st) and have not yet received it.

Only after I ordered the boot did I realize these are made in Poland, they will only process a lost order if it's been shipping for a month and they take 2 weeks to make! I got the shipping notice on January 10th, so I will have to wait until Feb. 10th until I can get them to admit it's been lost. I've exchanged a number of pissed-off e-mails with them, but they insist it could still be coming...

Never again, man. I'm sure many others have had successful deliveries from Redlinegoods.com but it will probably take me over 9 - 10 weeks to get my boot, if I ever get it. Be forewarned!

[BimmFiniti]

Finally received my shiftboot from redline, approximately 8 weeks after I ordered it. It was a bit of a struggle getting it to fit, but it looks great.

ZHP shiftknob sits nice and low and feels much better in your hand than the OEM shifter. Shift action seems a bit better, but I've only had it on for an afternoon!





I collected a bunch of photos along the way and may post them in the DIY section. My summary recommendations:

1. If you can get a boot that you like already attached to a frame, go with that as an option.
2. Don't order M3 shiftboots from redline. They don't fit the frame correctly: the OEM shiftboots have 3 sections; the redline ones have 4 sections. As a result, only two of the seams can fit into the special sections in the frame.
3. Don't order from redline if you're in a hurry
4. If you cut the boot where the stitching is, make sure you seal the cut with more glue or the threads will start to unravel.
5. If you use an F10 M5 knob, cut the plastic disc off and use the standard "zip-tie-underneath" method.
6. Put the new knob on the shifter mechanism, then tighten the zip tie. Doing it before you put the knob on means you don't know how far down the knob will go.