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      08-08-2007, 03:18 AM   #1
Rick Hunter
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Short Shift Knob Install

Woo hoo!! Guess what I got in today! A ZHP Short Shift Knob!


Since scouring the net for some useful info on the install, I figured I'd try my hand at my own DIY post. Obviously, there are some steps that I probably didn't need to take, but I thought it was best to do it (just because I'm a cautious kinda guy, and because the Ms have a wiring harness underneath that the non-Ms don't). BTW, as with any DIY, I'm not responsible for any mess-ups you might incur while doing this... so do it at your own risk!

Original Knob (pardon the dust):



Pull up on the shift boot at one of 4 corners to release the boot:



This will expose the wiring for the original ///M lighted knob (note, non-Ms don't have the wires). Disconnect the harness (I used a couple of needle-nosed pliers):



Now, put it in gear (your choice of 2nd or 6th) and pull up on the knob. You'll need to use great effort, and be careful not to aim towards your mouth / eyes. It took me ~3-4 good tries to finally yank the sucker off (no injury either!)

Bare nekkid:


Here are the shifters side-by-side:



From here on, everything goes in reverse. Snap your shift-boot back into the console, then push in the new shifter. I was looking for a "snap" noise to ensure that the new knob was in, but it doesn't do that. Once I got her in, I just gave it a good smack down and then tried to pull up. It stayed in place.

End result:


Comparison with the original knob:
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      08-08-2007, 03:33 AM   #2
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Great write-up!

I can't stop saying how awesome the ZHP gear knob is. This is a must-do mod for anyone that has stick-shift.
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      08-08-2007, 06:37 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GP20 View Post
Great write-up!

I can't stop saying how awesome the ZHP gear knob is. This is a must-do mod for anyone that has stick-shift.
^+1
I loved the change this knob made.
& so easy to do.
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      08-08-2007, 02:41 PM   #4
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Looks great. Great "how to",
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      08-08-2007, 03:10 PM   #5
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Nice write up Rick, looks good..
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      08-08-2007, 03:26 PM   #6
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I got that knob about a month or so ago, and I can't tell you how much of a difference it makes. I love it! Just feels so much better than the stock one, and the shifts are so much more smooth
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      08-08-2007, 07:32 PM   #7
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So Rick, is that your first mod? And is the ZHP knob lighted as well?
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      08-08-2007, 09:20 PM   #8
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No lighting on the ZHP knob.
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      08-08-2007, 09:45 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dammmittt View Post
So Rick, is that your first mod? And is the ZHP knob lighted as well?
I guess it's my first official mod >$50... oh, wait a minute, it was only $48.

Anyway, I got a chance to play with the new shifter today, and man... this thing's awesome! Short shifts just like I always wanted (actually, expected from a car of this caliber). And the weight feels just right. I'd highly recommend anyone with a manual transmission do this mod. I'd like to say night and day results, but I think that's only because I was so excited about getting it. Placebo effect, huh?

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      08-08-2007, 10:09 PM   #10
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I think its all in your head

I like to grip mine below the knob anyway...not sure I'd bene too much from it.
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      08-09-2007, 02:12 AM   #11
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Now all I need to do is find one that is 5 speed without M plastered on it.

I have a things about labelling a car other than what it is.
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      08-09-2007, 02:21 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gel View Post
Now all I need to do is find one that is 5 speed without M plastered on it.

I have a things about labelling a car other than what it is.
You can get it at leatherz.com with a 5-speed shift pattern and no ///m logo.

http://leatherz.com/Merchant2/mercha...tegory_Code=Z4
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      08-09-2007, 03:20 AM   #13
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Have one as well, money well spent 48$ shipped from Tischer!
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      08-09-2007, 09:36 PM   #14
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Does the aluminum finish on the bottom of the shift knob match the finish of the interior grab handles on our z4's? If not, what finish is it?
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      08-09-2007, 09:43 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaydon Fabulous View Post
Does the aluminum finish on the bottom of the shift knob match the finish of the interior grab handles on our z4's? If not, what finish is it?
to me it looks like a match..i barely notice it on mine....
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      08-09-2007, 09:46 PM   #16
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So how much shorter is it? From the photos it looks like 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch.
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      08-09-2007, 09:56 PM   #17
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The stock knob is 3.75" and the zhp knob is 3".
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      08-10-2007, 01:04 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaydon Fabulous View Post
Does the aluminum finish on the bottom of the shift knob match the finish of the interior grab handles on our z4's? If not, what finish is it?
It's close enough. The door handle's plastic, the shift knob bottom's actual metal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dammmittt View Post
So how much shorter is it? From the photos it looks like 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch.
Sounds like someone's gaining interest. Let's put it this way... this shifter (according to rumor) is supposedly getting harder to find. If you get it and don't like it, it'll easily sell. That was my rationalization for buying this. Fortunately, it's met my expectations, and I ain't sellin' it.

Get em while it's hot. I bought it because it keeps the OEM look. And this place has it cheaper than most other places. Service & delivery was top notch.
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      08-10-2007, 04:10 AM   #19
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Thanks to this thread I:

1) found out that my shifter lights up! I guess I've never looked at it while driving at night

2) I'm out $48 since I just ordered it online.

Good post Rick!
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      08-10-2007, 04:34 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Hunter View Post
Sounds like someone's gaining interest. Let's put it this way... this shifter (according to rumor) is supposedly getting harder to find. If you get it and don't like it, it'll easily sell. That was my rationalization for buying this. Fortunately, it's met my expectations, and I ain't sellin' it.

Get em while it's hot. I bought it because it keeps the OEM look. And this place has it cheaper than most other places. Service & delivery was top notch.
I've got one in my M and a spare one in my storage room.
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      08-10-2007, 05:05 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jaydon Fabulous View Post
You can get it at leatherz.com with a 5-speed shift pattern and no ///m logo.

http://leatherz.com/Merchant2/mercha...tegory_Code=Z4
Thanks for that, I'm in the UK and $30 shipping makes it overpriced IMO

I'll see if I can find one locally
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      08-10-2007, 05:29 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gel View Post
Thanks for that, I'm in the UK and $30 shipping makes it overpriced IMO

I'll see if I can find one locally
You can always simply swap out the shift pattern plate with the one on your current shift-knob.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with having the ZHP knob in a non-M car anyway since it originally came stock in the 330ci/i with the ZHP package and never actually came stock in any M car.
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