AT Shift Knob Options ?

[JetBlackZ]

My Z4 is an Auto with paddle shifters but the knob itself is not an easy thing to replace. I am having the most difficulty finding one that matches my beige interior. After checking what Dinan, AC Schnitzer and Hamann had to offer I realized none of them make an Auto knob with beige leather. I did find all carbon fiber or black but I think they would stick out like a sore thumb. The reason I want to replace mine is because the idiots at BMW while doing scheduled maintenance completely ruined it with grease and some solvent that ended up ruining the leather. I managed to find one on Ebay but when I asked for a better pic with a frontal view they responded that they do not have any other pictures available which usually raises red flags because it means they most likely do not even have the part in stock and it would take a long time to arrive and the odds of it not fitting right or looking like crap is high.

DOES anyone have any site and/or pix of replacements in their Z4? I am not as concerned on the price as I want quality and a nice fit both cosmetically and mechanically.


Here is the Ebay link at $80 for what they claim OEM it's not a bad deal. They claim it is an upgrade to stock but it looks really similar to mine( a little too similar )
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=190193145921&rd=1

Here is a pic of the knob

 

[cj10jeeper]

That looks like a great price for an OEM knob and a great vendor with only 1 negative in the last 1000 deals. I searched som time back and could only find very expensive carbon fibre styles.

My first thought would be as to why not pursue BMW for a replacement as they damaged the original? In a similar case some time back my wife's 206 Alloy gearknob was scratched when they removed the centre console and after whinning (her and the dealer) they fitted a new one for free.

Have you considered having yours recovered?

 

[JetBlackZ]

I did not know it was an option to have one recovered.It sounds like it would cost more then to just buy the one for 80 bux and hope it works out. As for why not ask BMW to fix what they ruined how could I prove they did it. Originally I figured I would wipe off the grease but that is when I noticed a significant amount of the leather was ruined so proving this would be a battle I would rather not deal with. I did call them to complain but they gave me the runaround so I just gave up. My car was already brought back 3 times for incorrectly fixing things so I try to avoid them.
Thanks

 

[cj10jeeper]

I did not know it was an option to have one recovered.It sounds like it would cost more then to just buy the one for 80 bux and hope it works out. As for why not ask BMW to fix what they ruined how could I prove they did it. Originally I figured I would wipe off the grease but that is when I noticed a significant amount of the leather was ruined so proving this would be a battle I would rather not deal with. I did call them to complain but they gave me the runaround so I just gave up. My car was already brought back 3 times for incorrectly fixing things so I try to avoid them.
Thanks

I can understand the lack of desire to take on BMW. It's a shame as it does nothing for future sales, but it's they way many are.

For $80 then I agree - just buy one. Those I looked at before were several times that price and with that sort of level of Ebay service I'm sure it's quality or there would be more negatives.