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Short Shift Knob Install

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Rick Hunter
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Short Shift Knob Install

Post by Rick Hunter » Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:00 am

Woo hoo!! Guess what I got in today!
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Since scouring the net for some useful info on the install, I figured I'd try my hand at my own DIY post. Obviously, there are some steps that I probably didn't need to take, but I thought it was best to do it (just because I'm a cautious kinda guy, and because the Ms have a wiring harness underneath that the non-Ms don't). BTW, as with any DIY, I'm not responsible for any mess-ups you might incur while doing this... so do it at your own risk!

Original Knob (pardon the dust):
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Pull up on the shift boot at one of 4 corners to release the boot:
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This will expose the wiring for the original ///M lighted knob (note, non-Ms don't have the wires). Disconnect the harness (I used a couple of needle-nosed pliers):
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Now, put it in gear (your choice of 2nd or 6th) and pull up on the knob. You'll need to use great effort, and be careful not to aim towards your mouth / eyes. It took me ~3-4 good tries to finally yank the sucker off (no injury either!)

Bare nekkid:
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Here are the shifters side-by-side:
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From here on, everything goes in reverse. Snap your shift-boot back into the console, then push in the new shifter. I was looking for a "snap" noise to ensure that the new knob was in, but it doesn't do that. Once I got her in, I just gave it a good smack down and then tried to pull up. It stayed in place.

End result:
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Comparison with the original knob:
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'07 Imola Red Image Coupé

Sephanite
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Post by Sephanite » Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:20 am

i thought big is better? ^_^

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davidpfitz
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Post by davidpfitz » Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:33 am

It's what you do with it that counts :P

You can get in and out of the gears quicker with this knob!

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Post by Elliot » Sat Aug 11, 2007 4:48 pm

is this a BMW part ? looks good......
SOLD 2006 Z4 ///M Roadster in Imola Red....As seen below
http://www.pbase.com/elliot_d/bmw_z4_m

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pvr
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by pvr » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:29 pm

Excellent. Just what I needed as I still need to replace my knob with the Storm one which I had on my previous Z.

Thanks for the pics, great help to see what is underneath.
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Veruca
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by Veruca » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:04 pm

Does the short one light up? Rick, if you're ever in the Atlanta area stop by so I can clean your interior. My OCD is kicking in looking at your pics. :wink: :poke: :wink:
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inTgr8r
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by inTgr8r » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:51 pm

Veruca wrote:Does the short one light up? Rick, if you're ever in the Atlanta area stop by so I can clean your interior. My OCD is kicking in looking at your pics. :wink: :poke: :wink:
No the ZHP knob doesn't light up.
I don't miss it, as I never look at it while driving anyway.
It's a great mod, makes a big difference in shifting.

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pvr
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by pvr » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:17 pm

Agreed. A driver would never see it - a passenger might. Mine is coming off this weekend :D
Current:
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Abarth 595 Comp.
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Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by Caddyshk » Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:52 pm

Difference is huge with the ZHP knob - Like installing a short throw kit!
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Rick Hunter
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by Rick Hunter » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:05 am

Veruca wrote:Does the short one light up? Rick, if you're ever in the Atlanta area stop by so I can clean your interior. My OCD is kicking in looking at your pics. :wink: :poke: :wink:
LOL :lol: I'd love for you to clean my interior :oops: . I know I know... I actually DID clean the interior after the install. Shall I post updated pics? :)

Nope... I don't miss the lighted part of the knob. I thought it was a gimmick anyways. The ambient light above actually shines onto the knob at night, so you'll still be able to see the shifter. And the difference in shifting was well worth the cost. Lemme know if you're thinking about getting it... the cheapest I've found it online is ~$48.
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'07 Imola Red Image Coupé

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ovrkll
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by ovrkll » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:14 am

So,,, short and stubby :lol:
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inTgr8r
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by inTgr8r » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:17 am

ovrkll wrote:So,,, short and stubby :lol:
& how may I ask do you know Rick so well??

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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by azroadie » Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:50 am

Is there a 5 speed one out there anywhere?
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Rick Hunter
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by Rick Hunter » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:09 am

Oh.... you bet yer ass!!!

5 Speed

6 Speed

Weird thing is... the 5 Speed costs more. :idunno:
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'07 Imola Red Image Coupé

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Rick Hunter
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Re: Short Shift Knob Install

Post by Rick Hunter » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:10 am

ovrkll wrote:So,,, short and stubby :lol:
It AIN'T stubby...



But it IS weighted. :kiss:
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'07 Imola Red Image Coupé

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