Replacement of Auto Gear Selector Knob

Felosenco · 02-27-2012, 06:49 PM

Hi All,

The previous owner of my coupe was an avid fan of using the manual mode and has worn the silver (aluminium) finish off the top of the knob. I have done some reasearch on the net and the cheapest I have found is through eBay for a new one - about $95 delivered. There's a few videos on YouTube showing how to change it. Has anyone changed theirs? Is it really as easy as it looks - just as long as you don't hit yourself in the face?

Cheers

Felosenco

Stuart@BMRAutowerkes · 02-27-2012, 06:52 PM

Yes it really is as easy as it looks.
- Put it in Park
- Use both hands to grip it tightly
- Yank it upwards... if it doesn't work, try again harder.
- 'Bash' the new one on.

Be careful not to:
a) hit yourself in the face and give yourself a bleeding nose
b) break your rear vision mirror

They have both been done before and hilarity ensued.

RaihaX · 02-27-2012, 08:25 PM

You could probably get a performance shifter for about the same price !

Felosenco · 02-27-2012, 10:01 PM

Do you have a link to a performance shifter so I can see what it looks like?

Felosenco

RaihaX · 02-27-2012, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felosenco

Do you have a link to a performance shifter so I can see what it looks like?

Felosenco

http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/perfo...atic-3119.html

this is for RHD though so don't go buying that one

pcockley · 02-27-2012, 11:27 PM

You might be able to do a paddle shift mod. Stu seems to be the expert iirc

Ninjaoz · 02-28-2012, 02:04 AM

I have a spare one in "brand new" condition, happy to post it to Brisbane for less than $95!

kaitan · 02-28-2012, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcockley

You might be able to do a paddle shift mod. Stu seems to be the expert iirc

If you decide to go with paddle shifters on the steering wheel then i've got he steering wheel for ya

Felosenco · 02-28-2012, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaitan

If you decide to go with paddle shifters on the steering wheel then i've got he steering wheel for ya

I have an M Sport so already have the paddle shifters thanks.

kaitan · 02-28-2012, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felosenco

I have an M Sport so already have the paddle shifters thanks.

hahah cool...hmm didnt know that 323i comes with paddles? unless u retro fitted it?

Felosenco · 02-28-2012, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaihaX

http://www.unitedbmwonline.com/perfo...atic-3119.html

this is for RHD though so don't go buying that one

I love that Alcantra boot swooping up onto the gear lever. $78 boot only or $131 for boot and lever - USD I assume! What's the difference between LHD and RHD with regards to the lever & boot?

Felosenco · 02-28-2012, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaitan

hahah cool...hmm didnt know that 323i comes with paddles? unless u retro fitted it?

No came standard with M Sport package as well as 19"rims and sports suspension.

Freefreefive · 02-28-2012, 07:48 AM

Anybody know how hard/easy or possible it is to terrific he steptronic shifter from an e70 x5 or similar? Looks like the dct shifter...

luckyg777 · 02-28-2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felosenco

Hi All,

The previous owner of my coupe was an avid fan of using the manual mode and has worn the silver (aluminium) finish off the top of the knob. I have done some reasearch on the net and the cheapest I have found is through eBay for a new one - about $95 delivered. There's a few videos on YouTube showing how to change it. Has anyone changed theirs? Is it really as easy as it looks - just as long as you don't hit yourself in the face?

Cheers

Felosenco

I also need to replace mine, was Ebay the best option?

Felosenco · 02-28-2012, 04:40 PM

Yes cheapest option I have found so far.

MFKN3 · 02-28-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felosenco

I love that Alcantra boot swooping up onto the gear lever. $78 boot only or $131 for boot and lever - USD I assume! What's the difference between LHD and RHD with regards to the lever & boot?

Hi Felosenco,

The RHD and LHD have different boots.

Worth also checking out:
http://www.bmminiparts.com/

RaihaX · 02-28-2012, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freefreefive

Anybody know how hard/easy or possible it is to terrific he steptronic shifter from an e70 x5 or similar? Looks like the dct shifter...

motive mods sells a plug and play package.

is very easy except you have to cut the stalk down to make it fit properly.

I would go with the M Shifter instead (like the E60 M5) that is a direct plug and play

Freefreefive · 02-28-2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaihaX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freefreefive

Anybody know how hard/easy or possible it is to terrific he steptronic shifter from an e70 x5 or similar? Looks like the dct shifter...

motive mods sells a plug and play package.

is very easy except you have to cut the stalk down to make it fit properly.

I would go with the M Shifter instead (like the E60 M5) that is a direct plug and play

As I'm new to this I'm not sure if you're taking the piss

So if you are tell me before I get an m5 paperweight shifter. I would have thought since its smg it wouldn't work ? I'm not fussed on the model, just prefer the metal look as opposed to the regular simple leather. Any other way to get that look?

SPJ · 02-28-2012, 10:39 PM

http://www.motivemods.com/product-p/mm-sst-d3.htm

Any one interested in a grp buy ? or does anyone else have a cheaper option ?

RaihaX · 02-28-2012, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freefreefive

As I'm new to this I'm not sure if you're taking the piss

So if you are tell me before I get an m5 paperweight shifter. I would have thought since its smg it wouldn't work ? I'm not fussed on the model, just prefer the metal look as opposed to the regular simple leather. Any other way to get that look?

I am not taking the piss lol but you need to get it from motivemods as they modify it to fit the steptronic

(when i say plug and play i meant plug and play from then

don't need any cutting of the stalk)

pics of the dct retrofit

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=561

pics of the m shifter

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=552

anyway that thread has a lot of info about motivemods retrofit shifter

Derui · 03-01-2012, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPJ

http://www.motivemods.com/product-p/mm-sst-d3.htm

Any one interested in a grp buy ? or does anyone else have a cheaper option ?

I have a dct from motive mods im selling for $340 shipped to your area

02-27-2012, 06:49 PM	#1
Felosenco Lieutenant 143 Rep 454 Posts Drives: 428i M Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Brisbane QLD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 428 Gran C ... [9.28]	Replacement of Auto Gear Selector Knob Hi All, The previous owner of my coupe was an avid fan of using the manual mode and has worn the silver (aluminium) finish off the top of the knob. I have done some reasearch on the net and the cheapest I have found is through eBay for a new one - about $95 delivered. There's a few videos on YouTube showing how to change it. Has anyone changed theirs? Is it really as easy as it looks - just as long as you don't hit yourself in the face? Cheers Felosenco
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-27-2012, 06:52 PM	#2
Stuart@BMRAutowerkes Major General 829 Rep 5,530 Posts Drives: a black car Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sydney iTrader: (3)	Yes it really is as easy as it looks. - Put it in Park - Use both hands to grip it tightly - Yank it upwards... if it doesn't work, try again harder. - 'Bash' the new one on. Be careful not to: a) hit yourself in the face and give yourself a bleeding nose b) break your rear vision mirror They have both been done before and hilarity ensued.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2012, 08:25 PM	#3
RaihaX Major General 163 Rep 4,995 Posts Drives: 08' 135i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Australia, Perth iTrader: (2)	You could probably get a performance shifter for about the same price !
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2012, 10:01 PM	#4
Felosenco Lieutenant 143 Rep 454 Posts Drives: 428i M Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Brisbane QLD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 428 Gran C ... [9.28]	Do you have a link to a performance shifter so I can see what it looks like? Felosenco
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-27-2012, 11:27 PM	#6
pcockley Banned 45 Rep 1,719 Posts Drives: 335 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: sydney iTrader: (1)	You might be able to do a paddle shift mod. Stu seems to be the expert iirc
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2012, 02:04 AM	#7
Ninjaoz Major 80 Rep 1,123 Posts Drives: E39 540i, E90 320d,F15 30d Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 320d [10.00]	I have a spare one in "brand new" condition, happy to post it to Brisbane for less than $95!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2012, 07:48 AM	#13
Freefreefive Private First Class 12 Rep 129 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Anybody know how hard/easy or possible it is to terrific he steptronic shifter from an e70 x5 or similar? Looks like the dct shifter...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2012, 04:40 PM	#15
Felosenco Lieutenant 143 Rep 454 Posts Drives: 428i M Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Brisbane QLD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW 428 Gran C ... [9.28]	Yes cheapest option I have found so far. __________________ 2015 428i M-Sport Gran Coupe, Glacier Silver, 6sp Manual, HK Audio "I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots." - Albert Einstein
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2012, 10:39 PM	#19
SPJ Private First Class 10 Rep 183 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Melb iTrader: (0)	http://www.motivemods.com/product-p/mm-sst-d3.htm Any one interested in a grp buy ? or does anyone else have a cheaper option ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote