[climkt]

Finally got my 6 MT illuminated gear knob- wired yesterday.
This was taken from the Z4 M coupe/roadster illuminated gear knob.
It was a difficult job wiring the knob as my car has a non smoker spec with no ash tray and LED light source.
The prev m cars that had this knob were the E39 M5 and the e46 M3 coupe and the Z4 m coupe/roadster models.
This knob is my 3rd since i took delivery of my e90 320i 1 year ago.
Tried the stock chome leather and then the m short shift before getting my ULTIMATE e90 knob.

Artz330 who owns a z4 m coupe on this forum reassured me that it will fit the e90 before i took the plunge and no regrets ever since!

A quick measurement of my prev e90 knobs.
1) Stock- chrome leather- vertical height- 92mm, width 42mm
2) E90 short shift- vertical height 72mm, width 42mm
3) Z4 m illuminated smooth leather-vertical height 92mm, width 42mm

The m short shift felt a bit more chunky but the dimensions of width are the same and i was not a fan of the texture of the perforated gear knob. I am pretty certain this will be able to be retrofitted on the awesome e92 coupe too.

The e90 m short shift is 2 cm shorter but i find this knob is much better as you do not have to flex your wrist downwards when you rest your forearm on the arm rest.(You have to reuse your stock leather boot but it fits perfectly). Much more ergonomical to use and a great incentive to take your e90 out for a nice night drive to see your M illuminated knob light up!

[Ph3n0m73]

How 'bout a day shot? How much for the short shift and knob?

Night shot looks great.

Springer

[climkt]

more pics taken during the day time of my newest toy and favourite e90 knob.

[Greeney]

Now thats awesome!

[climkt]

mentioned earlier that i have no ash tray, the wire under the leather boot actually travels under the gear stick console under the air con console and then turns right to the portion of the dashboard under the right side air con vents to the main LED point.

[Ph3n0m73]

Originally Posted by climkt

mentioned earlier that i have no ash tray, the wire under the leather boot actually travels under the gear stick console under the air con console and then turns right to the portion of the dashboard under the right side air con vents to the main LED point.

Smooth...

[climkt]

i have a STRONG hunch that since this offered for The Z4 m cars that this will be the E92 m3 6MT knob too. feel happy that i beat the M3 to the illuminated knob! ha ha!

[DFW_M]

Looking cool, however, do you forget which way the next shift is, so you need to see it in the dark?

[canucklion]

very cool!

[climkt]

Originally Posted by dr325i

Looking cool, however, do you forget which way the next shift is, so you need to see it in the dark?

it is for cosmesis obviously.

[climkt]

This is an earlier 5 MT model on my prev e36 325i coupe. and a picture of the Z4 m roadster with the m illuminated knob.

[JBOO]

Very cool. I'm surprised they don't offer that on all models.

[climkt]

Originally Posted by Ph3n0m73

How 'bout a day shot? How much for the short shift and knob?

Night shot looks great.

Springer

hi springer, the Z4 m illuminated gear knob with wiring was about 100 US dollars. The labour cost for wiring (outside BMW by an ex BMW technician)was about 75 US dollars.
the e90 m short shift leather knob with leather boot was 138 US dollars

[climkt]

Originally Posted by JBOO

Very cool. I'm surprised they don't offer that on all models.

they offered it for the e46 models prev - with the m sport steering wheel.
i guess it will be offered soon. i am just too IMPATENT to wait and i ALWAYS experiment with new gadgets before they are officially released. thats just me.

[SocalTy]

Vow, tats very nice.

[climkt]

part no is 25117836906 for any interested drivers.

[climkt]

another z4 m coupe pic with gear knob as requested by hula hula

[climkt]

matsarge has kindly put up his m3 e46 illuminated knob pics. looks similiar but on closer scutiny, the gear knob and boot are all connected in one single piece. when i ordered my z4 m illuminated gear knob, i considered his m3 knob but the base of e46 leather boot and the e90 is different. also when u reuse your stock boot, u save money too.

[bavarian19]

Looks good!!! I was originally trying to do the same mod, but you cant illuminate the current E90 knobs...

My only gripe is that I dont like the feel of the E46 or Z4M knobs. In comparison to the E90, they feel like they have a 'big butt' or more of a raised edge on the 2/4/6 side of the knob. I love the feel of my Msport knob a little too much to consider doing this mod...


looks good though!!!

[climkt]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

Looks good!!! I was originally trying to do the same mod, but you cant illuminate the current E90 knobs...

My only gripe is that I dont like the feel of the E46 or Z4M knobs. In comparison to the E90, they feel like they have a 'big butt' or more of a raised edge on the 2/4/6 side of the knob. I love the feel of my Msport knob a little too much to consider doing this mod...


looks good though!!!

hi bavarian19, i think there was a US accessories shop who knows how to retrofit the LED light into m knobs. i remember seeing the e90 m short shift and a m chrome leather with a retrofit LED.
i did want to take a risk and bought it stock with wiring included.
i guess gear knobs are a very personal thing, u either like one or hate another.for me, z4 m illuminated feels the best and i love the night glow.

[Hula-Hula]

Originally Posted by climkt

another z4 m coupe pic with gear knob as requested by hula hula

very nice thank you!
I found another one thats pretty good:

[climkt]

Originally Posted by Hula-Hula

very nice thank you!
I found another one thats pretty good:

hi hula hula, the knob in your pic looks like mine- you can easily reuse your stock boot. m3 coupe e46knob is like e90 short shift- comes together with leather boot.