Shift knob

[snowsedan04]

Here's a good one. I was pretty aggressively accelerating from a stop light the other day, and the shift knob came off in my hand when I was shifting into second gear. Needless to say, I was surprised to have to throw it into third by holding onto the bare post. From earlier messages, I sounded like you really had to yank the sucker if you wanted to change the knob, but now mine comes off pretty easily. It does, however, seem to click back into place when I put it back on so I'm not sure if there's something broken within the knob or if they just come off every now and then.

Anybody have this happen to them? Is there a fix or should I just use it as an excuse to go for the aluminum knob and matching emergency brake handle?

 

[epj3]

Tell bmw it fell off, i'm sure they'd take care of it.

 

[Kirby]

Hehe - that EXACT THING happened in my '94 when I was on an Autocross track. I was shifting in a corner and I guess I was using it to "hang on" thru the corner. I discovered that the plastic was worn/brittle inside and caused it to loosen up. But that shouldn't be the case on a new car.

 

[///M SPEED]

This should be covered under warranty. Just take the car in and tell them the knob came off. You don't need to give specifics....

 

[snowsedan04]

I took a look at the inside of the knob thinking somehow the plastic insert either got worn down or that it was just a bad part. Couldn't really see much in there. The car isn't even a year old. I'll bring it to the dealer and hope they don't blow me off.

 

[codex57]

Is the manual knob supposed to be tough to get off? I know for sure the auto one is.

 

[TSilver330CI]

The same thing happend to me. I was going like 60 mph though going into 4th, and I shifted hard. Now it comes off easier, but it snaps into place. I just don't shift hard and it hasn't been a problem, although sometimes it happens.


My warranty is up, so I didn't bother going to the dealer.....

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

Is the manual knob supposed to be tough to get off? I know for sure the auto one is.

does anyone know a good site to get a new shifter for automatic for an E36?

 

[Wallie05]

I have the same exact shifter (myrtle wood, and grey leather also) as in "theBMWenthusiast's" Avatar. I don't how in the hell anyone could manage to get it loose... I guess I never yanked on it THAT hard...

 

[Average Jae]

you can get a riced out shifter
all kidding aside, if you ever wanted to get a new look, or a "shorter" shifter now maybe a good chance. but get a new one from the dealer anyway, (but maybe have them not install it?) just incase you want to retain the original look, for trade in/ future sale etc..