[bmwexecutive]

Okay so I bought the black carbon fiber shift knob from Bimmian.com back on Sunday and opted for overnight delivery. Today I received it and when I went to put it on it wouldn't fit. Apparently, the stem on the CF knob I received was about 20% longer than the OEM knob. I gave Bimmian a call and they wanted me to send a picture over. So I did that and then they told me that the knob I ordered was for an E46 not an E90 and they don't make a CF shifter knob for the E90. The girl (Amanda) who I guess is the customer service manager then proceeded to tell me that they don't take any returns for credit, only store credit --- BS company policy. After arguing with her for a few minutes over the fact that I ordered the knob from the E90 page (mysteriously it's not on the page anymore) she told me that I must have ordered incorrectly and that it's not their fault. What happened to the customer is always right?

Anyway I just said the hell with it and went into modification mode. It took me about an hour between running to the store and trimming the stem to size but it's all set, works perfectly and I think it looks great. I personally think that this shift knob plus the 5er iDrive knob I've got REALLY improves the look of the interior. Another cool attribute is the fact that the leather sides are actually real leather, whereas they are some kind of immitation leather (don't even think it's leatherette) on the OEM knob. Nonetheless, I think both knobs are cool but this CF one looks better -- oh and it doesn't attract fingerprints.

What do you guys think? I know that's the only carbon fiber piece in the cockpit, but I think it really sets it off. It's in the dead center and looks pretty sweet. And no, I'm not going on a carbon fiber spree, haha. This is pretty much it in terms of CF (referring to the CF Door Pillars I also installed today).



OEM

[ctgazer]

i must say that it looks pretty hot...and also i want one too ive never seen the cf gear shifter on bimmian and im on their all the time...musta been lucky u..

[shimshimhada]

Yeah, bimmian has that kind of rep...I heard they were getting better, but I guess not?

Now nothing matches the aluminum on your iDrive knob! Unless you want a CF iDrive knob.

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

Yeah, bimmian has that kind of rep...I heard they were getting better, but I guess not?

Now nothing matches the aluminum on your iDrive knob! Unless you want a CF iDrive knob.

Well the iDrive knob matches the air vent shifter pieces (the piece you move to direct the air). Heh. I don't know. Maybe sometime down the road I'll make a carbon fiber iDrive Knob. I'm not a huge fan of CF but I do like it.

[SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!]

oh soooo thats what the secret was. thats funny. kept me in suspense for that! i thought it was the intake. lol. neways i saw that they first had this listed on the e90 section, then remissed it into the e46 section. too funny. i believe if u check the page out now it says sumthin about trimmin the stalk down!

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!

i believe if u check the page out now it says sumthin about trimmin the stalk down!

Don't see anything that mentions to that.

[Sedan_Clan]

Hmmm...CF & wood grain? Uhhhhhhhhhhh?

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Hmmm...CF & wood grain? Uhhhhhhhhhhh?

Dude, with do respect, I don't care what you think. You trolled my last thread thinking I was an idiot and I'd appreciate it if you'd stay out of this thread.

[LEDZEP]

I like it. Don't think I'd do it with the wood trim, but the knob looks nice.

[SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!!]

i dont see it nemore either, but i know i saw it on there.

[ZuerstBMW]

Looks great, you definitely have talent.

[SV Concepts III]

Nice! I think it'd look better with a full CF interior

[bmwexecutive]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I like it. Don't think I'd do it with the wood trim, but the knob looks nice.

That's what I was thinking when I ordered it. But it really looks very nice in person. It feels great too. I think it gives a sportier look to the interior. Just without the full CF trim or Aluminum trim. I really like this. The CF Door Pillars I'm not so sure about, but this shift knob is definetly a keeper, unless I decide to go a different route or something.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by bmwexecutive

You know what? Stop posting in my threads. Got it? Good.

Bro, listen, I'm just asking you to be objective here. Do you not agree that it takes about 45 seconds to wipe off a series of fingerprints?

[PersonaNonGrata]

You're mod crazy. I have thought about changing my stock shift knob for a Dark Walnut one to match the center console but then it won't match the iDrive knob and door handles. You have a bit of a mish mash but when BMW comes out with OEM carbon fiber interior trim you'll have to get it to match your shift knob. That will look very nice.

I haven't bought from Bimmian but I can say now that I will not if their customer service is like what you experienced.

[climkt]

sorry, cf does not go with wooden panels. much prefer plain black or pine wood and leather finish. more visually appealing. your cf knob looks much nicer with a CF interior.

[Kit523]

I love the look of the black CF knob good job!I think it would look even better if u got the black CF trim! =)

[sungmin]

how is that aesthetically appealing? i just dont see how cf goes with the wood trim. here u have a pattern that sticks out like a sore thumb. time to get cf trim baby.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by climkt

sorry, cf does not go with wooden panels. much prefer plain black or pine wood and leather finish. more visually appealing. your cf knob looks much nicer with a CF interior.

Werd!

Originally Posted by sungmin

how is that aesthetically appealing? i just dont see how cf goes with the wood trim. here u have a pattern that sticks out like a sore thumb. time to get cf trim baby.

Werd revisited!

[bilbarstow]

bmwexecutive - your threads are a little schizophrenic. They seem to start out as very good information regarding how to do a particular mod that you have done (a good thing), or requesting feedback on "how do you think this will look ?" then become your ego fishing for compliments about how good what you've chosen to do looks to everyone else, and when someone does post a criticism, you flame them back.

Please keep posting the how-to's - you have talent and it can inspire lots of others (follow longtran's example). Just check the ego when the masses don't share your aesthetic values.

very respectfully, Bill

[pokerface]

i'd go for a brushed aluminum shift knob to replace the smooth plastic "metal" one jsut for the feel. or perhaps an all-leather one.

[ALPINE6SPD]

not my taste but a great job getting it to work. Thumbs up