E86 Z4M Gearknob to 3.0si

Z

Z4hid

Member
Hi all
I’ve ordered a Z4M gearknob for my 3.0si but wanted to ask if anyone has any advice on how to wire it for the illumination. Presumably it won’t have the connection that comes on the M cars hence the question.

Thanks in advance! :thumbsup:
 
Honestly wouldn't bother with the effort, the illumination is barely noticeable and doesn't add anything to the cabin. Do yourself a favour and swap it for a ZHP knob as it's far better in every aspect.
 
Or really push the boat out and get an illuminated ZHP from an F10 M5 - last time I was tempted they were about £140 though! :o
 
Thanks Chaps.
I’ve actually got a ZHP and I know it’s an unpopular opinion but I didn’t gel with it so thought I’d see if the Z4M would be a better option..
I reserve the right to circle back to the ZHP if my plan falls flat on its face!
 
Z4hid said:
how to wire it for the illumination. Presumably it won’t have the connection that comes on the M cars hence the question.
Click to expand...

I suggest taking a feed from the ashtray. There is a small LED in there to illuminate the actual ashtray; just wire to that.
 
Well the OE Z4M one is a bit taller than a ZHP and lighter. My car came with one but had a ZHP fitted!

Which is what led me towards the M10 illuminated ZHP option after I read this thread:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=66074

For me it seems like the best of both worlds. :)
 
Scooba_Steve said:
JFDI

No-ones last words* have ever been, "I wish I hadn't bought that illuminated F10 shifter!"


*yet
Click to expand...

You're right - I don't want my last words to be "I wish I had bought that illuminated F10 ZHP"! :lol:
 
Thanks for the advice on this all.

I thought I’d update where I am with this…starting the gearknob journey from the beginning:

Started here but never comfortable with it really..
9136D5DE-FD30-42D0-98A9-CA3FC884163C.png

Moved to this from a E90 and was happy for a number of years:
359FDF11-CB9B-4EA6-A52F-3332104DD2D1.png

Fancied a change so went with the ZHP. This was bought at a time when I subsequently learnt I had an issue with the shaft moving (as per my other post) as thought the play was because I wasn’t pushing the ZHP down in place enough.
Due to the shaft play, I never really got to grips with it. It felt better for sure but the full effect was compromised due to the shaft.. (you can see the geraknob off centre below. Really annoying)

6BB71AD3-84E8-4EC1-B0F9-2351A5E32F30.png


Through some random logic I thought the best way forward was to try another gear knob (still hadnt clocked the shaft issue) so as per the start of this post, I went for a Z4M gearknob. Shaft issue was still there (which did mean it wasn’t weak muscle that couldn’t push the gearknob in place!)

I actually hadn’t connected the wires up as wanted to fix the shaft then compare the ZHP and Z4M. However the car came back today from the Indy’s who fixed the shaft (game changer!) changed the gearbox oil and they saw the gearknob wasn’t wired up so as an act of kindness just connected it by some wiring magic for me without me asking and they didn’t charge.

It meant that due to the wiring, it’s not as easy to switch gearknobs to compare but really appreciated they did that and because it’s a new gear shaft and new bushes (that came with the kit) and new ‘box oil, the gear changes feel fantastic. The Indy said ‘it should close to how it was new’ I’m sure the ZHP would have further amplified the feeling but for now, there is no play at all, very direct and driving feels much more connected.

As drivers, the gearknob and steering play such a big part that when one isn’t quite right, it affects the overall driving experience so glad I did this.

I changed some suspension bushes and the Geo was checked so the biggest bill I’ve had for the car and one could argue that the play in the shaft was liveable but now it’s done, I wish I had fixed this sooner.

83C7FD4F-E39D-4F38-ACC8-31F8AC011C4F.jpeg
 
That looks excellent! Can only imagine how much better the fixed shaft must be. You’re absolutely right in saying how much something like that can impact your driving experience.

Love the amarone interior by the way! Any chance you could share a few more pics of the interior as a whole? :thumbsup:
 
Thank you and yes, the difference is incredible. The shaft of course and although I’m not sure which bushings the shaft kit replaced, that too has helped as it all feels that much better connected.

Pics as requested sir… some old some recent. F96B5DFB-F7BB-455F-A41F-154C1796DA8D.jpeg600DCB5A-9498-4742-B6B4-64B1EB866BA3.jpeg
 

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I have an illuminated gearknob on my Z4M, is this standard fitment? It's not short and weighty like the ZHP.

Does it remove in the same way by yanking up and is it likely to rip the wiring?

What is the part no. for the illuminated ZHP as I'd like to swap it ? and is it plug and play into a Z4M using the same wiring connector?

I do have a brand new non illuminated ZHP but the OCD part of me wants to retain the illumination.
 
Thanks mate.

The Z4M illumined gearknob part No is: 25117836906 and I paid £130 from Martin Seggie at Douglas Park BMW.

Mine is a non Z4M so needed some wiring as no plug in like yours. There is flex in the wiring but I’m sure someone will be here to advise exactly how to remove a Z4M gear knob safely to account for the wiring.

Yes it’s not short and weighty like the ZHP. I would try a ZHP to see what you think though.
I like the illumination although it’s more red than dashboard orange.
 
MKZ4000 said:
What is the part no. for the illuminated ZHP as I'd like to swap it ? and is it plug and play into a Z4M using the same wiring connector?
Click to expand...
There is no such thing as an illuminated zhp per se, what you are looking for is the shift knob fitted to the manual version of the F10 M5
part# 25112284205. Connects to the existing wiring the same but some modification is required to the gaitor. There's a bunch of threads on here about it.
 
Absolutely stunning, thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:

The amarone is -in my opinion- the absolute best interior colour offered in the Z4… Seriously considering this for my own Z in the shape of a pair of retrimmed Recaro Pole’s and matching door cards… 8)
 
MKZ4000 said:
I have an illuminated gearknob on my Z4M, is this standard fitment? It's not short and weighty like the ZHP.

Does it remove in the same way by yanking up and is it likely to rip the wiring?

What is the part no. for the illuminated ZHP as I'd like to swap it ? and is it plug and play into a Z4M using the same wiring connector?

I do have a brand new non illuminated ZHP but the OCD part of me wants to retain the illumination.
Click to expand...

I think the illuminated one is standard on the M models, which means the wiring is already there.

From reading the thread I linked to further up removing the cover at the bottom of the gaiter and disconnecting the wiring is recommended before yanking the knob off otherwise you'd probably rip the wiring out too!

My car came with a non-illuminated ZHP fitted but with the original M one in the boot! I'm still mulling over biting the bullet and getting the F10 M5 one, although it's probably only a matter of time before I talk myself into it! :lol:
 
Barty said:
Absolutely stunning, thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:

The amarone is -in my opinion- the absolute best interior colour offered in the Z4… Seriously considering this for my own Z in the shape of a pair of retrimmed Recaro Pole’s and matching door cards… 8)
Click to expand...

That sounds like an epic interior in the planning..your turn to post pics when you’re ready!
 
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