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      05-27-2020, 03:04 PM   #1
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Raceseng shift knobs?

A little help?

I'm considering replacing the oem M2C shift knob because a) it sits a bit tall for me and b) I'm not a huge fan of the feel.

I'm going with an AutoSolutions SSK, and am trying to figure out what knob to go with since it affects height of the shifter (sort of a chicken and egg thing).

I've been looking at the Raceseng Ashiko (heavy at 735 grams) and the Contour (500 grams). I think the stock knob is about 175 grams for comparison purposes.

Any feedback? Anyone have pictures of the knobs in their car? Still on the fence about gloss, textured or translucent-- all I really know is that I do NOT want aluminum! I learned that lesson years ago on a hot day in my Acura!

I shift with a combination of side and palm, so I'd like something that works well either way.

Feedback/Pics please?

TIA!

R.
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      05-27-2020, 08:12 PM   #2
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I use an Ashiko in my 2017 ND Miata and love it.

I bought a Blue translucent one for my M2C later on but then decided I wanted to run a heavier knob.

My Blue Ashiko is F/S. $120 shipped in US.

Comes with the BMW Adapter and looks new...
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      05-27-2020, 10:22 PM   #3
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I can't seem to find the post on here at the moment, but I recall reading that these heavier knobs will cause additional wear on the components (equal to resting your hand on the shifter, which we all know you shouldn't do). Not trying to dissuade you from it, just adding a data point.
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      05-28-2020, 03:15 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thescout13 View Post
I can't seem to find the post on here at the moment, but I recall reading that these heavier knobs will cause additional wear on the components (equal to resting your hand on the shifter, which we all know you shouldn't do). Not trying to dissuade you from it, just adding a data point.
From this thread

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&highlight=UUC

Not to have any knob greater than 200g
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      05-28-2020, 08:47 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CoffeeLife View Post
From this thread

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&highlight=UUC

Not to have any knob greater than 200g
Stock is already 195g, and I'll be replacing the assembly with the AutoSolutions SSK, so I'm not sure this applies?
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      05-28-2020, 09:09 AM   #6
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https://www.raceseng.com/blog/genera...n-the-shifter/

Found this. Take from it what you will. Personally I won't do it to my car
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      05-29-2020, 05:47 PM   #7
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I had a raceseng (slammer) knob on my STi - they are very well made, but certainly heavy. The STi had a very notchy trans and it was needed.. the m2 has no such issues and I think it'd be overkill.
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      05-29-2020, 09:07 PM   #8
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I have Autosolutions SSK and use the Raceseng Contour in black texture finish. I love it. The texture looks nice and shows off the engraved shift gate nicely. It also feels good and adds a little grip.

I've tried the Ashiko but felt it was just a bit too heavy which resulted in losing some feel.
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      05-30-2020, 01:46 AM   #9
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      05-30-2020, 07:50 AM   #10
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Those who are running AS SSK, spoke with Ron, and he recommends that we don't use heavy weight knobs with our kit. I used mine for about 3 weeks with SSK and took it off. Again your welcome to check with Ron and get his input. He recommends stock weight or slightly heavy than stock is ok. But I was using 1.8lb. I will be putting mine up for sale. Without SSK I used the knob for about a month it was amazing.
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      05-30-2020, 08:37 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m20e3087 View Post
Those who are running AS SSK, spoke with Ron, and he recommends that we don't use heavy weight knobs with our kit. I used mine for about 3 weeks with SSK and took it off. Again your welcome to check with Ron and get his input. He recommends stock weight or slightly heavy than stock is ok. But I was using 1.8lb. I will be putting mine up for sale. Without SSK I used the knob for about a month it was amazing.
https://www.raceseng.com/blog/genera...n-the-shifter/

As Swayze said in Road House "Opinions vary"
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      05-30-2020, 09:12 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SEAT TIME RULES View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by m20e3087 View Post
Those who are running AS SSK, spoke with Ron, and he recommends that we don't use heavy weight knobs with our kit. I used mine for about 3 weeks with SSK and took it off. Again your welcome to check with Ron and get his input. He recommends stock weight or slightly heavy than stock is ok. But I was using 1.8lb. I will be putting mine up for sale. Without SSK I used the knob for about a month it was amazing.
https://www.raceseng.com/blog/genera...n-the-shifter/

As Swayze said in Road House "Opinions vary"
Absolutely, saw that article prior to buying the knob.
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      05-30-2020, 09:27 AM   #13
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I'd be more inclined to listen to the warnings of the engineer who's designed, built and sold thousands of short shift kits for BMW's.. than a website which is desperately trying to convince you it's totally fine but coincidentally sells weighted shift knobs.
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      05-30-2020, 09:52 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Montaver View Post
I'd be more inclined to listen to the warnings of the engineer who's designed, built and sold thousands of short shift kits for BMW's.. than a website which is desperately trying to convince you it's totally fine but coincidentally sells weighted shift knobs.
Yeah, that thought did cross my mind. I've used weighted knobs on my cars going back into the late 80's. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM with any of the BMW's my wife and I have owned. We've kept a few of them longer than most on this forum. All our BMW's have been manuals..

This reminds me of the aftermarket air filter debates that have raged for years on forums. Same story/worries , but unless your planning on keeping your car until it dies I doubt either one of these topics will pan out with any measurable damage.

Sort of like these predictions:

https://cei.org/blog/wrong-again-50-...ic-predictions
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      05-30-2020, 10:05 AM   #15
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Thanks guys--

After looking and researching and looking-- I think I'll probably just stay with the stock knob and drop the SSK 10mm. That's probably as reasonable an answer as anything.

I'd get the MP knob, except a) swapping the boot's a hassle, b) it's gloss carbon instead of the matte in the M2C, and c) I'm not a fan of the alancantara on the knob-- I suspect it'll wear over time.

I'll reach out to Ronald on Monday and adjust my preference accordingly.

Thanks again-- interesting suggestions/discussion.
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      05-30-2020, 10:49 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybigjet View Post
Thanks guys--

After looking and researching and looking-- I think I'll probably just stay with the stock knob and drop the SSK 10mm. That's probably as reasonable an answer as anything.

I'd get the MP knob, except a) swapping the boot's a hassle, b) it's gloss carbon instead of the matte in the M2C, and c) I'm not a fan of the alancantara on the knob-- I suspect it'll wear over time.

I'll reach out to Ronald on Monday and adjust my preference accordingly.

Thanks again-- interesting suggestions/discussion.
Personally I would get stock height and see what you think. It feels very short and precise with the stock item. If you want it lower, get the ZCP weighted knob. Ergonomically I find my arm is at the perfect angle to rest on the arm rest with my forearm almost horizontal. This is with the seat at its lowest position and probably 70pc tilt at the base. So for me I don't think a lower shift knob would be an upgrade, but YMMV of course.
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      05-30-2020, 11:02 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Montaver View Post
Personally I would get stock height and see what you think. It feels very short and precise with the stock item. If you want it lower, get the ZCP weighted knob. Ergonomically I find my arm is at the perfect angle to rest on the arm rest with my forearm almost horizontal. This is with the seat at its lowest position and probably 70pc tilt at the base. So for me I don't think a lower shift knob would be an upgrade, but YMMV of course.
I didn't realize that the ZCP knob was shorter than the OEM M2C knob-- that may be the perfect suggestion. I'll order one and toss it on the stock shifter to see how it feels.

Thanks-- I never thought of that. I'll order one immediately.

Last edited by flybigjet; 05-30-2020 at 11:09 AM..
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      05-30-2020, 11:13 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybigjet View Post
I didn't realize that the ZCP knob was shorter than the OEM M2C knob-- that may be the perfect suggestion. I'll order one and toss it on the stock shifter to see how it feels.

Thanks-- I never thought of that. I'll order one immediately.
Yeah I'm 99pc certain it is, there is a thread about shift knobs somewhere. You could email the guys at IND as they sell it for the M2. My friend has one on his e9x M3 with autosolutions SSK and its noticeably shorter.
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      05-31-2020, 01:29 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybigjet View Post
I didn't realize that the ZCP knob was shorter than the OEM M2C knob-- that may be the perfect suggestion. I'll order one and toss it on the stock shifter to see how it feels.

Thanks-- I never thought of that. I'll order one immediately.
flybigjet I believe the ZHP is our OEM knob. The M Performance knob is shorter and feels better to me. A little more feel from the Synchro. I recommend you get a boot (Alcantara or leather) from Coby Wheel and transfer the mounting clip. You pay $50 but don't have to butcher your OEM boot/knob which you can resell.

Last edited by mzcp; 05-31-2020 at 01:40 AM..
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      05-31-2020, 09:08 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mzcp View Post
flybigjet I believe the ZHP is our OEM knob. The M Performance knob is shorter and feels better to me. A little more feel from the Synchro. I recommend you get a boot (Alcantara or leather) from Coby Wheel and transfer the mounting clip. You pay $50 but don't have to butcher your OEM boot/knob which you can resell.
I ordered this one, part #25 11 7 896 886-- I might have gotten my terminology between the ZHP and the MP knobs mixed up. Weight is about 205g iirc, which is very close to the stock knob and I **think** it's a fair bit shorter than the OEM knob on the M2C?

I'll look at the Coby boot-- I wonder if they do orange to match the M2C piping?

I'm mostly looking for a slightly lower height as I have a long torso and I find the shift knob position a touch too high. I have my SSK on hold with Ronald, so when this comes, I'll put in on (w/o boot) temporarily, and see how it feels. Then I can tell Ronald "stock height" (preferred) or "lower 10mm".

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      06-03-2020, 12:36 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mzcp View Post
flybigjet I believe the ZHP is our OEM knob. The M Performance knob is shorter and feels better to me. A little more feel from the Synchro. I recommend you get a boot (Alcantara or leather) from Coby Wheel and transfer the mounting clip. You pay $50 but don't have to butcher your OEM boot/knob which you can resell.
I might have outsmarted myself-- I think the knob that's' showing up this week is the ZHP-- my whole point is to have a knob a bit shorter than stock (and I'm not a huge fan of the stock knob).

Any ideas on what the part number is for the MP knob? And, does the alcantara wear on the shift knob? That's always been what's steered me away from it.

TIA--

R.
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      06-03-2020, 09:55 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybigjet View Post
I might have outsmarted myself-- I think the knob that's' showing up this week is the ZHP-- my whole point is to have a knob a bit shorter than stock (and I'm not a huge fan of the stock knob).

Any ideas on what the part number is for the MP knob? And, does the alcantara wear on the shift knob? That's always been what's steered me away from it.

TIA--

R.
You just can't buy the knob by itself new. It's sold with boot and knob by MP. I got mine used. There are a couple for sale in the F22/F23 forum. The Alcantara on the shift knob seems to hold up well on mine

Last edited by mzcp; 06-03-2020 at 10:17 AM..
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