[parapaul]

Well, I wanted to replace my AT knob anyway as the alu trim over the top is chipped, and I quite liked the look of the F30 version. However, after doing some investigation and a bit of discussion on this thread it turns out it's not really a viable option:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=845062

So after looking (for about the hundredth time) at the M5 retrofit thread:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232777

I've decided to do that instead. Parts weren't available from BMW Direct on ebay where I usually get my bits, but they suggested my local dealer and surprisingly it was pretty painless. I phoned up last thing on Friday and all the parts will be in by Monday lunchtime.

Looking forward to another gadget

[Woody80]

Ooooooo that does look good! I look forward to your results! How much did it set you back if you don't mind me asking?

[parapaul]

I haven't paid yet...

But the M5 knob is £145 and the wiring parts come to around £45 so probably £200 all in. I'll find out tomorrow when I go to pick them up!

[acerboo]

always good to have a good looking knob

[mob17]

So you got a smaller knob now

[FRRYY]

Originally Posted by mob17

So you got a smaller knob now

I don't understand. Are big knobs better?

[Josh1a1h]

please keep us posted and maybe do another tutorial if you think others would find the existing tutorial daunting? maybe even a video

I like the smaller m5 knob... but what other bimmers have nice knobs in comparison?

[bmwak]

That does look nice. Look forward to seeing the results. There are some aftermarket retrofit versions of the F30 ones but IMO they look a bit wrong.

[acerboo]

Originally Posted by frryy

I don't understand. Are big knobs better?

my wife reckons mine is too wide

[parapaul]

My OH thinks my little knob is 'sexy'.

Picked up the parts today - everything apart from one sodding connector, which is now on back order from Germany. I've done as much as I can to get it all ready, the harness is all made up (apart from the remaining connector) and the teeny weeny leather boot that comes as part of the M5 knob is trimmed off so I can fit it with the E90 gaiter.

Just waiting on a phone call from Wolverhampton BMW now, to say this connector is in stock. Any idea what the lead time is for parts on order from Germany?

[mob17]

From what you're saying there are benefits to having a smaller knob

Very interested in seeing your progress! Not sure on lead time, have you tried BMMINI parts for that connector?

[mob17]

So did u get around to doing this?

[AWBimmer]

Originally Posted by parapaul

I haven't paid yet...

But the M5 knob is £145 and the wiring parts come to around £45 so probably £200 all in. I'll find out tomorrow when I go to pick them up!

Paul, Definitely interested. I got so busy getting my car ready for the shows that I didn't get the time for this but since I'll always be tinkering around, I think this will be next on my list! Definitely a lot more sportier than the 1st option I had in mine as per my thread..

Keep us posted!

Re: wiring, what exactly is needed?

[parapaul]

Originally Posted by mob17

So did u get around to doing this?

Yes, all done - I love it.

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

Paul, Definitely interested. I got so busy getting my car ready for the shows that I didn't get the time for this but since I'll always be tinkering around, I think this will be next on my list! Definitely a lot more sportier than the 1st option I had in mine as per my thread..

Keep us posted!

Re: wiring, what exactly is needed?

The DIY thread linked in the OP gives the order list - comes to about £45 IIRC - I'll check my invoice. It's a dead straightforward loom to make up, no soldering or anything required and the pins all push straight into the plugs.

Mine looked a bit of an abortion to be honest, I was more concerned with getting the connections right than making it look good. However, it's all tucked out of sight under the centre console now so that's irrelevant. If I was doing it again I could make it much tidier and prettier.



Time for the loom was about an hour, doing it again would probably be 45 minutes or so. Actually fitting the shifter took around 30 minutes, but I was very cautious about removing the centre console and getting it right - probably 15 minutes max to do it again.

I haven't actually taken any pics of the new shifter in situ - I'll try to in a bit. The only gripe (and really, it's trivial) is while it all works exactly as it's supposed to, nothing lights up when it's in D - which is the majority of the time.

[parapaul]

Right, as promised. What you can't see on these pics is the low-level ilumination of all the markings on the shifter when the ignition is on. And I'm still working on getting that new boot to sit right, I think I may have to take it off and sew them together...

[yeti racing]

Well done :-)

[Squintstream]

Top job Paul! That looks great

[Josh1a1h]

This will definitely be my first interior job!!!

very nice job mate!

Do you think you will be able to get anything to light up whilst in D?

[E90325iM-SPORT]

Perfect

[mob17]

Looks nice. any side on pics showing a bit of the interior?

[parapaul]

Originally Posted by yeti racing

Well done :-)

Originally Posted by Squintstream

Top job Paul! That looks great

Originally Posted by romanbmws

Perfect

Originally Posted by Josh1a1h

This will definitely be my first interior job!!!

very nice job mate!

Do you think you will be able to get anything to light up whilst in D?

Thanks everyone No, I don't think anything will light up in D, that's just how the shifter is wired. I've never been in an M5 but it's quite possible that D isn't an option, that the gearbox goes P-R-N-M/S.

Originally Posted by mob17

Looks nice. any side on pics showing a bit of the interior?

I can do - what were you thinking? What sort of angle did you you want to see?

[mob17]

Maybe sort of pointing in from the drivers door showing your dash, wheel, knob and seat? Just to get a picture of the size compared to the rest of the interior. Thanks