Gear knob replacement

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
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Buzz
Joined: Tue 18 Nov, 2003 11:22
Posts: 105

  Z4 roadster 3.0si

Gear knob replacement

Post by Buzz »

Hi all, well, after some time abroad, I'm back and de-mothballing my car, I'm just wondering how you replace the gear knob - may seem like a simple thing to do but I thought I'd post on here before I go forward with brute force and break something!

Cheers,

Buzz.
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Justin Time
Joined: Thu 22 Jun, 2006 20:34
Posts: 2183

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Kent

Post by Justin Time »

It's just a simple hard vertical tug, though make sure you aren't in the way when it comes off. :lol:
BMW Z3 2.0L Velvet Blue Individual Edition
Buzz
Joined: Tue 18 Nov, 2003 11:22
Posts: 105

  Z4 roadster 3.0si

Post by Buzz »

Many thanks - I would have gone for a twist rather than tug, so to speak! so worth me asking the question!

Thanks again,

Buzz.
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Bally
Joined: Thu 24 Apr, 2008 11:57
Posts: 356

  BMW other
Location: Bolton

Post by Bally »

Must be a different type from mine as its held on with a screw under the centre M cap.
Buzz
Joined: Tue 18 Nov, 2003 11:22
Posts: 105

  Z4 roadster 3.0si

Post by Buzz »

Hmmm, thanks chaps, perhaps I'll have a look under the top of the thing to see if there's a screw prior to trying!
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mrluke
Joined: Thu 11 Oct, 2007 14:44
Posts: 440

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU
Location: Canvey-Island

Post by mrluke »

i wished i had a pic of my lip after i pulled mine off !

be very careful ! i read horror storied about people hittin them selfs doing it and laughed . then it happened to me !

lucky i didnt loose my front teeth really ! that would have been a waste of a year having a brace lol...

good luck and keep out the way of the knob
Buzz
Joined: Tue 18 Nov, 2003 11:22
Posts: 105

  Z4 roadster 3.0si

Post by Buzz »

I've heard the horror stories! hence asking on here! I've spend two days getting the back to normal after being mathballed for two years - all looking good aside from the gear knob which is a smidge worn!
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Justin Time
Joined: Thu 22 Jun, 2006 20:34
Posts: 2183

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Kent

Post by Justin Time »

If the gearknob that you have fitted is similar to this M-Tec gearknob:

Image

(obviously not a six speed one) then it's a simple "brute force, vertical pull, swear a lot after it hits you from suddenly coming loose" job. No screws at all.

Automatic Z3 gearsticks will differ in method of removal due to a different setup.
Last edited by Justin Time on Wed 13 Aug, 2008 16:07, edited 1 time in total.
BMW Z3 2.0L Velvet Blue Individual Edition
dalemiller
Joined: Sun 01 Jun, 2008 16:42
Posts: 52

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Post by dalemiller »

I can better all of you on this - I hit my GF in the mouth when removing the gear knob.

The many years I had waited. :twisted:
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Justin Time
Joined: Thu 22 Jun, 2006 20:34
Posts: 2183

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Kent

Post by Justin Time »

Is she now an ex because of it? :lol: :P

Bet she wasn't happy with you.
BMW Z3 2.0L Velvet Blue Individual Edition
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BonBon
Joined: Tue 08 Jan, 2008 21:10
Posts: 1227

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Question - Automatic Knob

Post by BonBon »

I notice that some replacement automatic Z3 knobs have a button on the front side.
My present knob does not have a button......Am i missing something?
What's the story?
smyles
Joined: Wed 21 May, 2008 12:14
Posts: 18

  Z3 roadster 2.0

Re: Question - Automatic Knob

Post by smyles »

BonBon wrote:My present knob does not have a button......Am i missing something?
*snigger*

....sorry :oops:
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BonBon
Joined: Tue 08 Jan, 2008 21:10
Posts: 1227

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Post by BonBon »

nice one - my first LOL today. :D
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mrluke
Joined: Thu 11 Oct, 2007 14:44
Posts: 440

  Z3 roadster 1.8 TU
Location: Canvey-Island

Post by mrluke »

dalemiller wrote:I can better all of you on this - I hit my GF in the mouth when removing the gear knob.

The many years I had waited. :twisted:
if i could go back in time , i wld have made my gf pull it off
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Alex L
Joined: Sun 23 Oct, 2005 21:16
Posts: 1559

  Other roadster
Location: North Oxfordshire

Post by Alex L »

mrluke wrote: i wld have made my gf pull it off
*snigger*
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BonBon
Joined: Tue 08 Jan, 2008 21:10
Posts: 1227

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Detent Rod

Post by BonBon »

After driving well over 100k miles on my car, I deciding to replace my gear knob due to wear. Searching around and saw that all the replacements have buttons in them....but I never did. I now learned that over 8 years ago, one of the 9 previous owners (part local Mafia and part teens who sold as soon as they get conscripted) replaced the automatic one with a manual - such that it does not have the button and the detent rod that disengages when you press the button and then allows one to freely move between gears. Never bothered me so I guess I'll look for another nice manual one. :dunce:
The selection is much bigger and they are cheaper.
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