E60 545i Short Shifter Install + Review - Page 25

M5Prospect · 11th December 2009, 03:11

M555: What kind of shift boot is that? BTW, that looks real nice and very similar to exactly what I want. Is your shift boot and knob one piece?

I have an 03 E39 M5, and my knob and boot is one piece.

Would you you mind breaking down what you did first and last?

M55555 · 11th December 2009, 03:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5Prospect

M555: What kind of shift boot is that? BTW, that looks real nice and very similar to exactly what I want. Is your shift boot and knob one piece?

I have an 03 E39 M5, and my knob and boot is one piece.

Would you you mind breaking down what you did first and last?

The shift boot is actually the OEM boot, which was originally a 1 piece boot + knob combo, just like your 03 M5.

I bought the 545i shifter first, then replaced the shift knob second.

When you purchase a ZHP knob, the only way to remove your original M5 shift knob is by cutting it from the shift boot. Then what I did was invert the boot upside down (so the boot is like \/ as opposed to /\), then I put a zip tie around the top where the shift knob would sit. Then, put the shift boot back to its original position /\ and put the ZHP knob. I hope that makes sense.

mchang · 11th December 2009, 03:18

You can also just get a 540i/6 boot for about $50 new.

M5Prospect · 11th December 2009, 03:22

MCHANG: Where can I get a stock shift boot from for about $50?

M555: Can I replace the knob without cutting my stock boot from stock knob? (Basically, can I take the whole one piece boot and knob off?)

Thanks for the help M5 owners

Cajaz13 · 11th December 2009, 03:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by M55555

NP. What are you looking for in an SSK and/or what don't you like about the stock shifter?

Well I have a dinan ssk right now (I think...) and I don't like it because it is notchy and sometimes will not go into gear. I do like the shift effort and the throw length.

M55555 · 11th December 2009, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5Prospect

MCHANG: Where can I get a stock shift boot from for about $50?

M555: Can I replace the knob without cutting my stock boot from stock knob? (Basically, can I take the whole one piece boot and knob off?)

Thanks for the help M5 owners

You can buy the boot from JD @ Crown Auto.

You can't remove the knob without cutting the boot (if you wanted to retain the boot), however, you can remove the entire knob + boot and replace.

M5Prospect · 11th December 2009, 18:53

M555: If I remove the stock knob and boot assembly altogether to install my new E60 lever/busings AND ZHP Short Knob:

Is it true that...

1) I will have to buy a new boot from JD @Crown Auto IF I did not want to cut my stock one? (Do you know the part # and which boot?)
2) I will have to do some configuration with the new boot and stock clips from the original stock knob/boot assembly?
3) Its not that difficult to install new boot?

4) What am I paying for in terms of shift boot over at LeatherZ

Thanks in advance

M55555 · 11th December 2009, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5Prospect

M555: If I remove the stock knob and boot assembly altogether to install my new E60 lever/busings AND ZHP Short Knob:

Is it true that...

1) I will have to buy a new boot from JD @Crown Auto IF I did not want to cut my stock one? (Do you know the part # and which boot?)
2) I will have to do some configuration with the new boot and stock clips from the original stock knob/boot assembly?
3) Its not that difficult to install new boot?

4) What am I paying for in terms of shift boot over at LeatherZ

Yes, you'd have to purchase a new boot. The E39 540i boot (as mchang suggested) part # is 25111222755 with a list price of $68.68 from Crown Auto, or $70.44 from Tischer BMW (I believe is a forum supporter). The boot is separate from the shift knob which is perfect if you are considering upgrading to a ZHP knob.
No, the boot will come with mounting plate that snaps into place with the OEM mounting positions on your M5.
Easy, just remove old boot and snap in new OEM boot
Shift boot from LeatherZ should be around ~$65 for JUST THE BOOT with no installation hardware (you would have to remove and reuse the original clips from the OEM boot) or $165 for complete new assembly ready to install [reference: leatherz.com]

M5Prospect · 11th December 2009, 20:10

I see...removing and reusing plates...is that worth $100 extra from Leatherz?

BTW, is your shift knob illuminated?

M55555 · 11th December 2009, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5Prospect

I see...removing and reusing plates...is that worth $100 extra from Leatherz?

BTW, is your shift knob illuminated?

IMO no, its not worth the extra $100, but it is worth it for those who broke theirs during removal (as the clips tend to be fragile) or already have broken clips...

Mine is not illuminated. But, you can get a ZHP illuminated if you want here: Illuminated OEM ZHP shift knob anyone?