illuminated short shift knob?

AtoB · 12-28-2007, 07:59 AM

i'm amazed bmw didn't/doesn't make one for their M cars.
one of my favorite things i modded on my old Z was the weighted shift knob. it felt great, i still have it and will probably put it on... but i have to admit i love the illuminated look of the stock one. i know leatherz make illuminated knobs... but none that do what i want.. does any one know if a shorter illuminated know exsists?

rabman5 · 12-28-2007, 08:14 AM

i haven't found one either.

epbrown · 12-28-2007, 01:11 PM

Can't you go the long way around - re-use the stock knob with a SSK?

AtoB · 12-28-2007, 01:43 PM

SSK? SHORT SHIFT KIT?
more work than i'm interested in doing

Rick Hunter · 12-28-2007, 02:25 PM

Illuminated knobs are cool to look at, but is a gimmick, IMHO. I never look down at my knob anyway.

AtoB · 12-28-2007, 03:08 PM

it's a great detail that just adds to what makes the car special.
i wouldn't add it to a car, and i hate to remove it from one just the same.

Dammmittt · 12-28-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

Illuminated knobs are cool to look at, but is a gimmick, IMHO. I never look down at my knob anyway.

Dammmittt · 12-28-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtoB

it's a great detail that just adds to what makes the car special.
i wouldn't add it to a car, and i hate to remove it from one just the same.

I like my long knob

KevinC · 12-29-2007, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

I never look down at my knob anyway.

Rick Hunter · 12-29-2007, 02:13 AM

OK, I take it back...

If I could illuminate my knob without the need to touch it, I'd definitely look at it and admire the phenomenon.

pbdm4k · 01-02-2008, 04:25 PM

I have the Hartge shift knob.
It's illuminated and weighted.

Very nice piece. Leather ball shifter with a brushed aluminum collar.
the Hartge logo is on the top and it lights up white.

Also a very pricey piece. Mine was around $200 to my door.

Thankfully it was a gift from my ex.

AtoB · 01-02-2008, 04:26 PM

any pics?

pbdm4k · 01-02-2008, 04:31 PM

http://www.hartge.de/e/artikelpopup2065.html

BimmerZealot · 01-02-2008, 04:59 PM

Wow that's a clean looking Hartge knob. As far as illuminated short shift knob, I'm guessing you guys are referring to the ZHP shift knob. I dont think it'd be too hard to DIY a illuminated one. Put in a LED and change out the shift pattern sticker to one that is clear so the light shines through. Wire the power to the cigarette lighter, hardest part would be finding a OEM color LED

Dammmittt · 01-02-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerZealot

Wow that's a clean looking Hartge knob. As far as illuminated short shift knob, I'm guessing you guys are referring to the ZHP shift knob. I dont think it'd be too hard to DIY a illuminated one. Put in a LED and change out the shift pattern sticker to one that is clear so the light shines through. Wire the power to the cigarette lighter, hardest part would be finding a OEM color LED

Couldn't you just change it out with the old one?

BimmerZealot · 01-02-2008, 05:26 PM

Ya, you definitely could just swap the wiring harness, the shift pattern sticker and the bulb from the OE shift knob if you have one. But for those that dont have one on hand a DIY may be very plausible. Makes more sense for people that dont own a illuminated shift knob already since buying two shift knobs to make one is pretty extreme. One of you MZ4 guys should try it and post a guide =]

mPlasticDesign · 01-02-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

Illuminated knobs are cool to look at, but is a gimmick, IMHO. I never look down at my knob anyway.

It is ok but I would have to agree, doesn't do much for me either. In fact now that I think about it, it seems that the illumination is not even across the pattern.

Dammmittt · 01-02-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerZealot

One of you MZ4 guys should try it and post a guide =]

I would, but I like my long knob

Andrewinla · 01-08-2008, 02:14 AM

The fact that the illumination is red bugs me!
Leatherz.com has the long knobs in matte and shiny chrome with an amber LED like the factory one should have.

Someone should ask if they will iluminate the ZHP knob.
If its doable they will do it!

inTgr8r · 01-08-2008, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerZealot

Ya, you definitely could just swap the wiring harness, the shift pattern sticker and the bulb from the OE shift knob if you have one. But for those that dont have one on hand a DIY may be very plausible. Makes more sense for people that dont own a illuminated shift knob already since buying two shift knobs to make one is pretty extreme. One of you MZ4 guys should try it and post a guide =]

I swapped mine for the ZHP knob & thought about it for about 2 sec.
JMO, but it's just not worth the time & effort.

...most of my driving is daytime & top down.

ianbiz · 01-08-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

...most of my driving is daytime & top down.

Even now in Canada?
I had to put the top up most of last week since it was rainy and cold (highs in the 50s)

inTgr8r · 01-08-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianbiz

Even now in Canada?
I had to put the top up most of last week since it was rainy and cold (highs in the 50s)

Now? ...it's in the barn

12-28-2007, 07:59 AM	#1
AtoB Major 112 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (3)	illuminated short shift knob? i'm amazed bmw didn't/doesn't make one for their M cars. one of my favorite things i modded on my old Z was the weighted shift knob. it felt great, i still have it and will probably put it on... but i have to admit i love the illuminated look of the stock one. i know leatherz make illuminated knobs... but none that do what i want.. does any one know if a shorter illuminated know exsists?
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12-28-2007, 08:14 AM	#2
rabman5 Captain 113 Rep 686 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	i haven't found one either.
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12-28-2007, 01:11 PM	#3
epbrown Colonel 60 Rep 2,128 Posts Drives: BMW M Coupe, Porsche Boxster S Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Can't you go the long way around - re-use the stock knob with a SSK?
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12-28-2007, 01:43 PM	#4
AtoB Major 112 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (3)	SSK? SHORT SHIFT KIT? more work than i'm interested in doing
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12-28-2007, 02:25 PM	#5
Rick Hunter Skull Squadron Leader 307 Rep 2,031 Posts Drives: '07 M Coupé & '16 435xi GCoupé Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Emerald City iTrader: (20)	Illuminated knobs are cool to look at, but is a gimmick, IMHO. I never look down at my knob anyway. __________________
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12-28-2007, 03:08 PM	#6
AtoB Major 112 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (3)	it's a great detail that just adds to what makes the car special. i wouldn't add it to a car, and i hate to remove it from one just the same.
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12-29-2007, 02:13 AM	#10
Rick Hunter Skull Squadron Leader 307 Rep 2,031 Posts Drives: '07 M Coupé & '16 435xi GCoupé Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Emerald City iTrader: (20)	OK, I take it back... If I could illuminate my knob without the need to touch it, I'd definitely look at it and admire the phenomenon. __________________
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01-02-2008, 04:25 PM	#11
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 75 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	I have the Hartge shift knob. It's illuminated and weighted. Very nice piece. Leather ball shifter with a brushed aluminum collar. the Hartge logo is on the top and it lights up white. Also a very pricey piece. Mine was around $200 to my door. Thankfully it was a gift from my ex.
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01-02-2008, 04:26 PM	#12
AtoB Major 112 Rep 1,262 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (3)	any pics?
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01-02-2008, 04:31 PM	#13
pbdm4k Lieutenant Colonel 75 Rep 1,689 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: May 2007 Location: North of the Border iTrader: (3)	http://www.hartge.de/e/artikelpopup2065.html
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01-02-2008, 04:59 PM	#14
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	Wow that's a clean looking Hartge knob. As far as illuminated short shift knob, I'm guessing you guys are referring to the ZHP shift knob. I dont think it'd be too hard to DIY a illuminated one. Put in a LED and change out the shift pattern sticker to one that is clear so the light shines through. Wire the power to the cigarette lighter, hardest part would be finding a OEM color LED
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01-02-2008, 05:26 PM	#16
BimmerZealot Major 61 Rep 1,210 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, California iTrader: (2)	Ya, you definitely could just swap the wiring harness, the shift pattern sticker and the bulb from the OE shift knob if you have one. But for those that dont have one on hand a DIY may be very plausible. Makes more sense for people that dont own a illuminated shift knob already since buying two shift knobs to make one is pretty extreme. One of you MZ4 guys should try it and post a guide =]
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01-08-2008, 02:14 AM	#19
Andrewinla Private 0 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: LA, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW X3 [0.00] 2007 Z4 M Coupe [5.50]	The fact that the illumination is red bugs me! Leatherz.com has the long knobs in matte and shiny chrome with an amber LED like the factory one should have. Someone should ask if they will iluminate the ZHP knob. If its doable they will do it!
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