BMW E9x, E82 M-Sport Shift Knob Retrofit for your E46 doityourself

[az3579]

Today I received my M-Sport shift knob, courtesy of Marcus. I didn't waste any time and got right to it!

The M-Sport shift knob, found on E9x 3-series and E82 1-series vehicles equipped with the M-Sport package, comes attached to a leather shift boot. This particular knob has a mounting mechanism (to the boot) that involves a few tabs and a plastic ring that connects the knob to the boot.

To detach the knob from the boot, first turn the boot inside out and pry the little metal-looking clip towards the inside of the plastic ring, like so:


http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_16-50-42_457.jpg


Flip the boot inside in again and start to separate the boot from the plastic ring. You may have to apply a little bit of force to get it to seperate.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_16-50-56_701.jpg

You'll be left with the shift knob and a loose ring. Twist and wiggle the ring until it separates from the shift knob. Please be relatively careful with this ring as you'll need it in upcoming steps. It's OK if the tabs break off; breaking them off is recommended (the metal looking tabs).

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_16-51-17_388.jpg

Break off the metal tab from the shift knob that attaches the knob to the ring.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_16-51-39_716.jpg

Here is the shift knob without the boot and ring, ready to attach to your shift lever:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_16-53-48_53.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_16-54-47_88.jpg

Notice that the shift knob won't be quite aligned correctly in relation to the shift boot. Notice the gap:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_16-55-00_342.jpg

Take a dremel or some kind of file and start to file/dremel away at the interior lining (plastic) of the ring (marked). This will allow it to sit lower on the shift lever allowing you to pop the shift knob on. If you do not do this, the ring will interfere with the shift lever too much (the shift lever gets fatter the lower you go on it) and will prevent the shift knob from fully seating on the lever's notch. This process will be trial and error 'till you find you've removed enough material.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_17-29-21_649.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_17-30-50_327.jpg

Cram the ring onto the top part of the shift boot like shown in the below pictures. The fat part of the ring where the two tabs used to be should be facing the rear of the car when you put it in the boot, so make sure to align it properly before fitting the boot into the console.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_17-13-54_351.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_17-14-20_995.jpg



Voila! Done. The shift knob now sits flush with the shift boot and doesn't look out of place like before the ring was utilized. Please note, I was using my phone camera so picture quality is greatly reduced; it in no way looks discolored or mismatching in real life as it does in the photos below. It fits in nicely with the black cube interior and alcantara shift boot.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_17-40-34_446.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_17-40-48_448.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa192/az3579/DIYs/E9x%20M-Sport%20Shift%20Knob%20Retrofit/2011-05-18_18-00-22_442.jpg

[mimalmo]

Nice DIY writeup Botond!

[spencers]

Nice job!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Very nice work, Botond.

[kayger12]

Nice work, BP.

Looks good.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[danewilson77]

Well done.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[az3579]

I'm hoping I'm the first to pull this off. I've looked online for information and couldn't find anything on a retrofit.
As far as I can tell, this is the first DIY for this retro. I hope this helps others out looking to do the same thing. I've seen interest but no actual threads on what is involved.


Thanks a lot for the deal on the hardware, Marcus; I couldn't find this stuff for less than $130 anywhere when I was looking.

I'm planning on getting the handbrake lever installed as well. Ran out of time today. Plus, it seems that mine is held on by glue, and the one you sent doesn't have any glue on the inside, so I'm wondering how it would attach and stay put...




After driving around a little while with the new knob installed, I can say that it feels... different. The weight seems similar, which is good, but it feels more ergonomic than the ZHP knob. Upshifts feel a lot more ergonomic, and downshifts have more feel as well due to the shape of the knob. Overall I'm very impressed and am glad I went through with it. Plus, I think it looks tits.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

BP, the ebrake handle fits really, really snug. It's not easy to get on (at least with the E92). Once it's on, it doesn't move around. Therefore, there was no glue necessary.

Also, glad I could sell the knob to you. I kept it in great shape. Not a single scratch on it.

As for the shape of the knob, I liked it. Fit my hand really well. Easy to shift with it.

[az3579]

BP, the ebrake handle fits really, really snug. It's not easy to get on (at least with the E92). Once it's on, it doesn't move around. Therefore, there was no glue necessary.


Right. I'm just worried that the mounting won't be the same for E46. Problem is, once I take my ebrake handle off, I don't think there's going back if it's attached by glue, and if it turns out not to fit properly, then I'm going to have to buy a new handbrake handle.

I guess Coby Wheel could take care of that problem for me. lol



This is all assuming I'm able to get my handle off. I tried for a solid 10 minutes, and it's 20000x harder to take off than the most solid of shift knobs. Still can't get it off.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Yeah. I can't vouch for the ebrake, my friend. Not sure if they're the same size.

[lilcdkey]

Awesome! I'm glad it all worked out!


iPad Tapatalk FTMFW

[Mike V]

That looks great!

[az3579]

Yeah. I can't vouch for the ebrake, my friend. Not sure if they're the same size.

Size-wise, they are the same length. I just don't know if it fits over the metal handle. It should.

[billschusteriv]

Nice writeup Botond. I'll check the Bentley quick to see if there is any additional hints on removing our ebrake handle.

Page 513-2. Seems that stock handle and boot are one piece. Clips holds ebrake boot to the center console at top in the back. Both should slide off forward.

Do you have a different ebrake handle? Aftermarket? Or did I misunderstand?

[az3579]

Nice writeup Botond. I'll check the Bentley quick to see if there is any additional hints on removing our ebrake handle.

Page 513-2. Seems that stock handle and boot are one piece. Clips holds ebrake boot to the center console at top in the back. Both should slide off forward.

Do you have a different ebrake handle? Aftermarket? Or did I misunderstand?

No, the handle and the boot are not one piece. My boot is attached to the handle via zip tie that zips into the groove at the bottom of the handle. I just have a standard factory leather handle with the alcantara boot.

[JupiterBMW]

Bringing this thread to the top as this is the exact retrofit I plan on doing. BP, just to verify, the shift knob fits snug and tight once installed correctly with the trimmed ring?

Also, any more info on the e-brake handle? Did you get it on? Thoughts on that one?? More pics?? Thanks so much!

[az3579]

Yes, the shift knob sits flush as long as you did the mod to the ring outlined above, and installed it in the shift boot in the correct fashion.

I was never able to get around to doing the handbrake lever since I couldn't be sure if it would fit properly. Because of this, I didn't dare take my OEM knob off with fear that the new one wouldn't go on right. The old one was also really stuck on there, so that contributed to the hesitation.

If I could get a confirmation that the lever will fit and look properly, then I would probably swap it.

[derbo]

I always was curious how much work was needed to do this. Thanks for sharing! Looks great with a perforated steering wheel :)

[JupiterBMW]

Yes, the shift knob sits flush as long as you did the mod to the ring outlined above, and installed it in the shift boot in the correct fashion.

I was never able to get around to doing the handbrake lever since I couldn't be sure if it would fit properly. Because of this, I didn't dare take my OEM knob off with fear that the new one wouldn't go on right. The old one was also really stuck on there, so that contributed to the hesitation.

If I could get a confirmation that the lever will fit and look properly, then I would probably swap it.

BP, do you have the Msport e-brake handle? I am definitely going all out to make it fit and work, but I haven't acquired the parts yet. If you do have the e-brake handle, could you post some pics of the inside of it and such so that I can see what might be needed to make it work?

[nike001]

You guys like this knob?

My step-father had this in his 335xi m-sport and I didn't like it. Weight was OK, but I wasn't one for the perforated leather or the overall shape of it.

Funny how all non-zhp guys upgrade to the ZHP knob and all the ZHP guys want a different knob :rofl

I have the performance knob and a few days ago I put the ZHP one back on and that thing made me feel like I was using a boulder to shift lol

[JupiterBMW]

Personally, I love it... I don't suppose you have the knob from your dad's 335xi? I of course am willing to trade the ZHP knob out for this one...

[nike001]

Nope unfortunately I don't.

That went with his car when he traded it in. The knob never came out of his car so my experience with it was only in relation to his 335.

[JupiterBMW]

Damn... I need a set of these!!


Sent from my iPhone 4/4S hybrid on Tapatalk...

[JupiterBMW]

Bump... I'm going to work more on this. I got the shift knob installed on my car, but I'm dedicated to getting the e-brake handle on as well. I too tried for a couple minutes to get the OEM leather e-brake handle off, and no luck. I'm sure its as hard as BP says...

Stay tuned folks. We'll see. At the very least, I'll have measurements and photos of everything when I go back to the ship so I can machine an adapter sleeve if needed.

[Hermes]

just make sure to say "by the power of Greyskull" first...

[JupiterBMW]

Well, I've had a few spare minutes while in the airport this morning (:facepalm) so I've done a little research and everyone says to heat the OEM handle with a hairdryer, and then give it a lot of good twisting motion while pulling up... I will try this and post my results...

[wsmeyer]

I took mine off and replaced with the BMW Performance one. It is a B!T#H to get off.

[JupiterBMW]

I took mine off and replaced with the BMW Performance one. It is a B!T#H to get off.

You should go to the gym more often. :rofl

[wsmeyer]

You should go to the gym more often. :rofl

Says the guy who gave up getting his off?

[JupiterBMW]

I tried for about 5 minutes! I will be successful as soon as I get home... You'll see... And speaking of, if I remember, you have an E90 handle on your car? Thoughts?? How snug is it? Do you think more is needed to make it perfect?

[wsmeyer]

I tried for about 5 minutes! I will be successful as soon as I get home... You'll see... And speaking of, if I remember, you have an E90 handle on your car? Thoughts?? How snug is it? Do you think more is needed to make it perfect?

It only tool me 4 1/2 minutes. And that's only because for the first 4 I was trying to do it one handed while drinking a beer.

[JupiterBMW]

It only tool me 4 1/2 minutes. And that's only because for the first 4 I was trying to do it one handed while drinking a beer.

Do you have brown eyes? Because you're full of SH!T :rofl

[danewilson77]

Chuck Norris got mine off in 2 minutes. I got my buddies handle off in 90 seconds.

[Hermes]

Well, I've had a few spare minutes while in the airport this morning (:facepalm) so I've done a little research and everyone says to heat the OEM handle with a hairdryer, and then give it a lot of good twisting motion while pulling up... I will try this and post my results...

there is no trick, just constant applied brute force. Twisting won't do anything because the first section it is stuck in that male/female spline thing I showed you in the other thread. You could try striking the rear end of it with a rubber mallet?

[johnrando]

Well, Jon is a wimp you know. hehe




Just kidding of course.

[JupiterBMW]

there is no trick, just constant applied brute force. Twisting won't do anything because the first section it is stuck in that male/female spline thing I showed you in the other thread. You could try striking the rear end of it with a rubber mallet?

Actually, I was searching for that thread, couldn't find it... Care to link?


Sent from my hybrid iPhone 4/4S... :shifty