Shift Knob Question

c615586 · 09-15-2011, 11:05 PM

Sorry about the following noob question...

I recently purchased a new (to me) 2008 Z4M Roadster. Per the VIN, it was one of the last 40 or so cars off the line. As best I can tell, the shift knob isn't backlit like on other M cars.

The car only has 3k miles on it and is otherwise pristine, so I don't think anyone switched out the knobs. Is it possible that BMW ran out of backlit M knobs at the end of the production run?

I took a pic of the knob with my cellphone tonight with the lights on:

It looks like the shift pattern is in chrome and adjusting the dashboard lights makes no change in the appearance of the shift knob. Is this different than other M coupes and roadsters?

Endless619 · 09-15-2011, 11:33 PM

This looks just like the one I sold off my 08 Z4MC...

KevinC · 09-15-2011, 11:39 PM

Maybe it's not connected? Pull that sucker off and see if the wire is connected. To remove it, just pull straight off - HARD. Don't smack yourself in the face!

XMetal · 09-16-2011, 01:06 AM

That doesn't look like the M knob on my '08. It's a 2-piece leather on mine, where the stitching are at the 10 and 2 o'clock location instead of the single piece leather with stitching at 6 o'clock as pictured.

b0bab0i · 09-16-2011, 01:31 AM

E46 M3 shift knob?

GeorgeT · 09-16-2011, 09:56 AM

Being one of the last made in the US, I suspect they may have run out of the M Roadster knobs and substituted something else rather than have a very small batch of the correct knobs made.

thekurgan · 09-16-2011, 10:48 AM

Looks like the ZHP knob from above.

gcochard · 09-16-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Looks like the ZHP knob from above.

but no silver ring at the bottom, and it's much skinnier at the bottom too.

c615586 · 09-16-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cliffhopper

but no silver ring at the bottom, and it's much skinnier at the bottom too.

Definitely not a zhp knob.

Here are two more quick pics:

I pulled the knob off and there are no electrical connections to it, so it's not a standard M backlit knob. I'm wondering if BMW just ran out of LED knobs at the end of the production run.

I'm taking the car to the dealer on Saturday for an oil change (despite being 3 years old, it's never been to a BMW dealer according to the database). I'll have them look into it.

thekurgan · 09-16-2011, 12:47 PM

My vin is close to the end as well, my original, rattly knob was lit. I have no idea what knob that is, I couldn't see the lower area before but yeah, looks like one of the cheaper knobs from Bavauto.com

MZHammer · 09-16-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

That doesn't look like the M knob on my '08. It's a 2-piece leather on mine, where the stitching are at the 10 and 2 o'clock location instead of the single piece leather with stitching at 6 o'clock as pictured.

x2

Nikki · 09-16-2011, 05:48 PM

Assuming '08 and low mileage car should be under warranty, correct? If so, bring it to the dealer and ask for a new one. Mine was lit but very dimly and unevenly and BMW replaced it under warranty.

Caddyshk · 09-16-2011, 06:25 PM

Mine does not light - The old one did... Can't say I ever checked it before shifting when it did light

c615586 · 09-16-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

Assuming '08 and low mileage car should be under warranty, correct? If so, bring it to the dealer and ask for a new one. Mine was lit but very dimly and unevenly and BMW replaced it under warranty.

Good idea. I'll definitely bring it up with them tomorrow.

johanness · 09-16-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

That doesn't look like the M knob on my '08. It's a 2-piece leather on mine, where the stitching are at the 10 and 2 o'clock location instead of the single piece leather with stitching at 6 o'clock as pictured.

Same here

ZStig · 09-16-2011, 10:16 PM

I had the same issue, and couldn't figure out which gears to shift into at night. Man, what a pain in the ass that was. I solved it by driving with the dome light on

Mtxzptlk · 09-16-2011, 10:59 PM

Mine has the same issue.

When i took off the stock knob to replace with the zhp knob, I noticed that one of the wires was cut (cleanly).

Dunno whether it was cut by the previous owner or not.

Backlight feature is just a gimmick to me; could really care less for it.

thekurgan · 09-17-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtxzptlk

Mine has the same issue.

When i took off the stock knob to replace with the zhp knob, I noticed that one of the wires was cut (cleanly).

Dunno whether it was cut by the previous owner or not.

Backlight feature is just a gimmick to me; could really care less for it.

I've have passenger laugh at it ... I had it disconnected before I swapped it, it's not something you have to look at to utilize, rattled like a bitch too, can't believe the OEM price tag on that thing.

XMetal · 09-17-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

I've have passenger laugh at it ... I had it disconnected before I swapped it, it's not something you have to look at to utilize, rattled like a bitch too, can't believe the OEM price tag on that thing.

I'm not sure why anyone would laugh at it. Just because it's lighted doesn't mean you have to look at it for shifting

It's not the norm, but then again, the Z isn't that ordinary. I just considered it part of the "ambient" lighting...just like the 2 tiny LED above the console. Nothing wrong with a lighted knob.

The rattling is a simple fix...nothing a tie-wrap couldn't fix.

IWantAnE92 · 09-17-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roffle Waffle

I had the same issue, and couldn't figure out which gears to shift into at night. Man, what a pain in the ass that was. I solved it by driving with the dome light on

^ +1

I much prefer the zhp knob to the lighted one i replaced it with. Come on, if you drive an M (or any BMW for that matter), do you really need to see the gear positioning on the top of the knob?!

thekurgan · 09-17-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

I'm not sure why anyone would laugh at it. Just because it's lighted doesn't mean you have to look at it for shifting

It's not the norm, but then again, the Z isn't that ordinary. I just considered it part of the "ambient" lighting...just like the 2 tiny LED above the console. Nothing wrong with a lighted knob.

The rattling is a simple fix...nothing a tie-wrap couldn't fix.

I guess the lighting isn't functional and doesn't go with the rawness of the car as a whole, my rattle was in the insert at the top, replacing it [knob] was the fix.

gatorfast · 09-17-2011, 12:11 PM

Id take the opportunity to replace it with the zhp knob. To me the stock knob felt a little big and rubbery.

09-15-2011, 11:05 PM	#1
c615586 Private 8 Rep 61 Posts Drives: '89 325is, '13 Carrera 4S Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Upper Arlington, OH iTrader: (0)	Shift Knob Question Sorry about the following noob question... I recently purchased a new (to me) 2008 Z4M Roadster. Per the VIN, it was one of the last 40 or so cars off the line. As best I can tell, the shift knob isn't backlit like on other M cars. The car only has 3k miles on it and is otherwise pristine, so I don't think anyone switched out the knobs. Is it possible that BMW ran out of backlit M knobs at the end of the production run? I took a pic of the knob with my cellphone tonight with the lights on: It looks like the shift pattern is in chrome and adjusting the dashboard lights makes no change in the appearance of the shift knob. Is this different than other M coupes and roadsters?
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09-15-2011, 11:33 PM	#2
Endless619 DHS 203 Rep 4,010 Posts Drives: 2023 M4, 2020 Land Rover Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Disneyland iTrader: (14) Garage List 2014 Range Rover Ev ... [0.00] 2006 Acura TL [0.00]	This looks just like the one I sold off my 08 Z4MC... __________________ 2020 Land Rover Velar Autobiography 2023 BMW M4 2016 X3
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09-15-2011, 11:39 PM	#3
KevinC your average JAMF 3101 Rep 4,094 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Maybe it's not connected? Pull that sucker off and see if the wire is connected. To remove it, just pull straight off - HARD. Don't smack yourself in the face! __________________ '21 M2 Comp '19 Golf R
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09-16-2011, 01:06 AM	#4
XMetal Colonel 1136 Rep 2,867 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	That doesn't look like the M knob on my '08. It's a 2-piece leather on mine, where the stitching are at the 10 and 2 o'clock location instead of the single piece leather with stitching at 6 o'clock as pictured.
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09-16-2011, 01:31 AM	#5
b0bab0i Major 24 Rep 1,033 Posts Drives: 03 TiAG z4 3.0i w/ hardtop Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	E46 M3 shift knob?
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09-16-2011, 09:56 AM	#6
GeorgeT Private First Class 1 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2007 750i; 2003 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC iTrader: (0)	Being one of the last made in the US, I suspect they may have run out of the M Roadster knobs and substituted something else rather than have a very small batch of the correct knobs made.
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09-16-2011, 10:48 AM	#7
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Looks like the ZHP knob from above. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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09-16-2011, 12:47 PM	#10
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	My vin is close to the end as well, my original, rattly knob was lit. I have no idea what knob that is, I couldn't see the lower area before but yeah, looks like one of the cheaper knobs from Bavauto.com __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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09-16-2011, 05:48 PM	#12
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	Assuming '08 and low mileage car should be under warranty, correct? If so, bring it to the dealer and ask for a new one. Mine was lit but very dimly and unevenly and BMW replaced it under warranty. __________________ Nikki
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09-16-2011, 06:25 PM	#13
Caddyshk M = Midlife Crisis 65 Rep 2,006 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MC Interlagos Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	Mine does not light - The old one did... Can't say I ever checked it before shifting when it did light __________________ 2006 Z4MC - #LL93158 SS Race Cans, RE X Pipe, DKF Sec 1, Fabspeed Headers, OE STB, AS Shifter, Dave Z CDV, GC Coil Overs, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC Pads, RE Clutch Stop, RE Transmission Mounts, Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts, Poly FCAB & RTAB, LeatherZ M Shift Boot, Tekarbon Rear Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS DGM
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09-16-2011, 10:16 PM	#16
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	I had the same issue, and couldn't figure out which gears to shift into at night. Man, what a pain in the ass that was. I solved it by driving with the dome light on __________________
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09-16-2011, 10:59 PM	#17
Mtxzptlk Driving Dog 871 Rep 1,221 Posts Drives: 635/1815, X3M Comp Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: That somewhere over the rainbow iTrader: (10)	Mine has the same issue. When i took off the stock knob to replace with the zhp knob, I noticed that one of the wires was cut (cleanly). Dunno whether it was cut by the previous owner or not. Backlight feature is just a gimmick to me; could really care less for it.
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09-17-2011, 12:11 PM	#22
gatorfast Major General 4998 Rep 6,863 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	Id take the opportunity to replace it with the zhp knob. To me the stock knob felt a little big and rubbery.
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