M-sport shift knob vs old ZHP short shift knob

mase · 02-21-2010, 07:12 PM

I'm trying to decide between these, and since I have the normal sport steering wheel and e-brake handle the ZHP would fit better cosmetically, and the ZHP is cheaper. But driveability is a little more important.

Has anyone tried both of them before? comments, arguments for either?

Mike@F1 Autohaüs · 02-21-2010, 07:48 PM

pics would help..

vs

Zero.7 · 02-21-2010, 07:58 PM

I've had the ZHP shift knob in my previous 330ci ZHP. Loved it...but the leather showed more wear than I had expected in just one year. I don't have sweaty hands either

I love the look and feel of the Msprt perforated shift knob. I've felt it and driven with it, BUT don't own one yet, so can't comment on durability.

Cosmetically, the ZHP smooth shifter would probably match a little better than the perforated shifter, but I'd still go with the Msport one. Then, you'll have an excuse to get the Msprt perforated steering wheel. I just got one and it's unbelievable. SO MUCH better than stock. The stock sprt steering wheel feels way too thin and plasticy (sp?) compared to the Msprt. If you have a couple more hundred to spare, I'd consider the Msprt steering wheel first! You won't regret it.

DJKhan85 · 02-21-2010, 08:12 PM

I didn't drive an msport one but I do own the ZHP one. I think it will boil down to how you hold the stick. Do you hold it from the side(like a joystick) or with your palm on the top? If it's joystick, then get the msport.

mase · 02-21-2010, 08:37 PM

it depends on which shift i'm doing! lol, yes i learned myself, so my shifting is probably different from most ppls. It looks like the m-sport has that similar shape to the stock e90 one, whereas the zhp one is rounder? I guess that does make sense about where I hold the stick.
haha cni, here i am trying to save a few bucks, and you encourage me to spend more! i think knob wear is a little less important to me than drivability at the moment.. i can't stand the stock knob.

euromoda84 · 02-21-2010, 10:01 PM

zhp shift knob here and I love it.

PKumarM3 · 02-21-2010, 10:02 PM

get the m3 one -- it lights up

nyc3r · 02-21-2010, 10:53 PM

the zhp knob has soft leather like the M3 wheel while the msport is slightly stiffer and match the msport wheel.. I'd get the one that go with the steering wheel you have/want to get.

also, you can hold the msport knob from the top, it feels fine.

Zero.7 · 02-21-2010, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mase

it depends on which shift i'm doing! lol, yes i learned myself, so my shifting is probably different from most ppls. It looks like the m-sport has that similar shape to the stock e90 one, whereas the zhp one is rounder? I guess that does make sense about where I hold the stick.
haha cni, here i am trying to save a few bucks, and you encourage me to spend more! i think knob wear is a little less important to me than drivability at the moment.. i can't stand the stock knob.

My bad. I'll stick to the question at hand

Msport gets my vote. IMO, it looks better and I prefer its shape based on how I hold my knob.

lito · 02-22-2010, 08:32 AM

I had the Msport knob that came with the car and recently switched over to the weighted ZHP knob and never looked back

mase · 02-22-2010, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lito

I had the Msport knob that came with the car and recently switched over to the weighted ZHP knob and never looked back

this makes me happy to hear. it sounds like the m-sport one is pretty sick also and i can't go wrong with either. possibly the zhp one will wear out quicker on the leather but since it goes with my e-brake and steering wheel for now, i ended up getting it.

dcat151 · 02-22-2010, 12:24 PM

I haven't used the old ZHP knob, but I just replaced my stock knob with the m-sport one and it's a major improvement. Driving the car is a lot more fun now.

Daylights · 04-19-2022, 01:12 PM

I have had both knobs on my E92 and ended up sticking with the ZHP. I like the look of the perforated knob but did not find the shifter as precise as the ZHP. I found shifting down to 3rd gear that the M Perforated seemed vague enough that I wasn't always sure I had 3rd gear each time, no such feel to the ZHP. The shape of the M perforated encourages top of the shift knob shifting whereas the ZHP shape allows top or side hold shifting. I think it is the fact that the ZHP end (that fits over the shift rod) is round and just big enough to fit around the round Rod, so more pinpoint precise. Whereas the M perforated shifter is square where the shift rod is inserted and therefore wider than the rod and not as easy to ensure you are in the right gear.

whyzee125 · 06-04-2022, 06:15 PM

The M sport knob feels better to me. In my ZHP days, I was never quite satisfied with the feel of the ZHP knob. It looks just right in e46s so I was hesitant to change it but ultimately switched to the performance knob in my last ZHP before selling it and liked it a bit better.

I'd go M sport

02-21-2010, 07:12 PM	#1
mase Banned 59 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (27)	M-sport shift knob vs old ZHP short shift knob I'm trying to decide between these, and since I have the normal sport steering wheel and e-brake handle the ZHP would fit better cosmetically, and the ZHP is cheaper. But driveability is a little more important. Has anyone tried both of them before? comments, arguments for either?
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02-21-2010, 07:48 PM	#2
Mike@F1 Autohaüs Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: ❤ Join Date: May 2009 Location: f1autohaus.com iTrader: (24)	pics would help.. vs
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02-21-2010, 07:58 PM	#3
Zero.7 Colonel 97 Rep 2,415 Posts Drives: F30 340i AW M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SOCAL iTrader: (6)	I've had the ZHP shift knob in my previous 330ci ZHP. Loved it...but the leather showed more wear than I had expected in just one year. I don't have sweaty hands either I love the look and feel of the Msprt perforated shift knob. I've felt it and driven with it, BUT don't own one yet, so can't comment on durability. Cosmetically, the ZHP smooth shifter would probably match a little better than the perforated shifter, but I'd still go with the Msport one. Then, you'll have an excuse to get the Msprt perforated steering wheel. I just got one and it's unbelievable. SO MUCH better than stock. The stock sprt steering wheel feels way too thin and plasticy (sp?) compared to the Msprt. If you have a couple more hundred to spare, I'd consider the Msprt steering wheel first! You won't regret it. __________________ '16 f30 AW 340i M-sport 8-speed Auto BMW ///M Performance Power and Sound Kit with Carbon Tips / Gloss Black Performance grilles
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02-21-2010, 08:12 PM	#4
DJKhan85 Major 24 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: 2011 4dr 6mt Golf GTI Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boston Massachusetts iTrader: (1)	I didn't drive an msport one but I do own the ZHP one. I think it will boil down to how you hold the stick. Do you hold it from the side(like a joystick) or with your palm on the top? If it's joystick, then get the msport. __________________ 2011 VW GTI 4dr-6mt-Sunroof-Nav-Xenons OLD: 08 335i AW/CR/Poplar 6mt-ZSP-ZPP-ZCW-iPod-iDrive-PDC-Style 230s w/FK 452-Dinan LSD
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02-21-2010, 08:37 PM	#5
mase Banned 59 Rep 446 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC iTrader: (27)	it depends on which shift i'm doing! lol, yes i learned myself, so my shifting is probably different from most ppls. It looks like the m-sport has that similar shape to the stock e90 one, whereas the zhp one is rounder? I guess that does make sense about where I hold the stick. haha cni, here i am trying to save a few bucks, and you encourage me to spend more! i think knob wear is a little less important to me than drivability at the moment.. i can't stand the stock knob.
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02-21-2010, 10:01 PM	#6
euromoda84 Private 10 Rep 77 Posts Drives: f30 335i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	zhp shift knob here and I love it.
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02-21-2010, 10:02 PM	#7
PKumarM3 Air India 145 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 2018 Dodge Durango Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (8)	get the m3 one -- it lights up __________________ PKumarM3
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02-21-2010, 10:53 PM	#8
nyc3r Colonel 112 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (24)	the zhp knob has soft leather like the M3 wheel while the msport is slightly stiffer and match the msport wheel.. I'd get the one that go with the steering wheel you have/want to get. also, you can hold the msport knob from the top, it feels fine. __________________ FS: Interior Parts - Msport knob, split armrest etc FS: Interior Parts Msport wheel, Msport knob, Boot, Idrive, FS: BMW factory oil change kit
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02-22-2010, 08:32 AM	#10
lito Colonel 167 Rep 2,174 Posts Drives: E92, F30 Join Date: May 2009 Location: DC metro iTrader: (11)	I had the Msport knob that came with the car and recently switched over to the weighted ZHP knob and never looked back __________________
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02-22-2010, 12:24 PM	#12
dcat151 Lieutenant 21 Rep 582 Posts Drives: 2006 330i 6MT ZSP/ZPP/ZCW Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gainesville, GA iTrader: (1)	I haven't used the old ZHP knob, but I just replaced my stock knob with the m-sport one and it's a major improvement. Driving the car is a lot more fun now.
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04-19-2022, 01:12 PM	#13
Daylights New Member 8 Rep 29 Posts Drives: E36, E46, E92. Sold POS F30 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0)	I have had both knobs on my E92 and ended up sticking with the ZHP. I like the look of the perforated knob but did not find the shifter as precise as the ZHP. I found shifting down to 3rd gear that the M Perforated seemed vague enough that I wasn't always sure I had 3rd gear each time, no such feel to the ZHP. The shape of the M perforated encourages top of the shift knob shifting whereas the ZHP shape allows top or side hold shifting. I think it is the fact that the ZHP end (that fits over the shift rod) is round and just big enough to fit around the round Rod, so more pinpoint precise. Whereas the M perforated shifter is square where the shift rod is inserted and therefore wider than the rod and not as easy to ensure you are in the right gear.
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06-04-2022, 06:15 PM	#14
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1679 Rep 3,645 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	The M sport knob feels better to me. In my ZHP days, I was never quite satisfied with the feel of the ZHP knob. It looks just right in e46s so I was hesitant to change it but ultimately switched to the performance knob in my last ZHP before selling it and liked it a bit better. I'd go M sport
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