better/different/beefier shift knobs for STEP?

[Washburn]

Wasn't sure where this would belong...

I know that we lame auto people don't touch the shift knob much at all ;) BUT with me seeing all those posts about ZHP shift knobs and what not for manual cars, I was wondering, given that the ZHP auto knob is nothing special at all, if there exists a better looking shift knob for Auto transmissions on our cars...
The OEM leather is going to fade at some point, and I'd like something a bit "beefier" I think

Would like some feedback on this...

[danewilson77]

I would check...

Www.bimmian.com
Www.jlevisw.com
Www.bavauto.com

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Washburn]

Thanks, Dane
Bimmian has this one - it's ALL CF and a bit too shiny and I am afraid if it will look off..(.I have black cube and alcantara interior)

http://www.bimmian.com/elements/product.htm/showcase/CSK/ML_02.jpg

The other 2 places don't have anything for Auto.

Then I found this one - it's OEM BMW performance part but I can't find it on BMW web sites ???
it does have a chrome part BUT a guy who has black cube had installed it and it doesn't look off....what do you think? will the chrome part look out of place in my car?: I think the guy's pic overexposed the MATT chrome part
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6995/photofn.jpg

the stock BMW photo also shows it with black trim, so perhaps it's not bad ... and the chrome part doesn't look that shiny at all....
http://www.trademotion.com/sfimages/214336/partImages/4462/SFPLImage109725.jpg

here's the post where the guy installed it - everyone liked it:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=748174

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I tend to stay away from the metal knobs, since they heat up like a mofo when you leave the car in the sun for a while. They look good, though. But I simply tend to stay away from them.

[Washburn]

About the metal being hot/cold - I was thinking...IF I got that performance knob, I'd try to wrap the metal/silver part in black CF (CF-like) vinyl ... don't know how hard it is though...but I think, at least in my mind's eye, that knob, black leather with the middle part in CF (instead of silver) would look sick, while being not (so) hot....

yeah, so imagine this with that metal/silver part being black CF....hmm? hmm? :biggrin

http://www.trademotion.com/sfimages/214336/partImages/4462/SFPLImage109725.jpg

[danewilson77]

That would look good. You want me to send you some free CF wrap?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

About the metal being hot/cold - I was thinking...IF I got that performance knob, I'd try to wrap the metal/silver part in black CF (CF-like) vinyl ... don't know how hard it is though...but I think, at least in my mind's eye, that knob, black leather with the middle part in CF (instead of silver) would look sick, while being not (so) hot....

yeah, so imagine this with that metal/silver part being black CF....hmm? hmm? :biggrin

http://www.trademotion.com/sfimages/214336/partImages/4462/SFPLImage109725.jpg

That would look good, Wash.

[Washburn]

DANE: Aw. I feel bad getting free stuff - I don't have anything to give you, so will you accept shipping costs? and YES I would like it, if it's the self adhesive kind :)
PM'd

Marcus: I think so, too...now to find one of those shift knobs (might be able to get one off of a guy at E46F) without wife killing me

[danewilson77]

You'll just have to deal with feeling bad then......

[az3579]

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6995/photofn.jpg



Ya know, as awesome as that looks, consider the non metal part. It is still a wear item; that will wear over time as well. Heck, depends on just how much you manhandle that shift knob, the metal will eventually start to show wear spots as well (less shiny-ness and eventually will become a matte finish like a computer mouse you've used for YEARS).

In the end, I wouldn't worry about how well it will wear. I think you should get this one as it is and leave it; it would look a lot hotter as-is, IMO.
I also wouldn't worry about the temperature of the knob that much.

[danewilson77]

He's gonna cover the silver part with the cf wrap I think.