[nub340]

So this is getting really annoying. I have to be very careful when shifting into 2, 4, or 6th gear with any sort of "spirit". Otherwise, the shift knob comes completely off in my hand. This was never a problem in my '07 335i or any of my other MT cars I've had. I think it has something to do specifically w/the M-Sport shifter.

The first time it happened I almost crapped my pants. I had just finished the break-in period and decided to try my first full out run on an abandoned drag strip up in Eureka, CA. I had 2 buddies in the car w/me. When I shifted into 2nd, the entire knob + boot came completely off in my hand startling the begeezus out of me. At the time we all got a good laugh out of it.

Fast forward to today and this has now happened about a dozen different times in various different situations. Every time it happens it's like getting electrocuted and is followed by a frantic scramble to get it back on as I'm in traffic.

Do I have a defective shift knob? Anyone else have this happen to them? I know I've been working out lately but I don't think I've gotten THAT much stronger, ha. Any suggestions for remedying the situation?

[El Cheapo Loco]

The knob snaps onto the shaft. Give it a good hard slap downward and it should snap in place.

[Healey3000]

Hi,

Not sure about this happening on the E9x but on my older E34, the shift knob was designed to be removed by pulling straight up, hard. It went back on by pushing down, hard.

It may be that they just didn't install it right. Try pushing down but before you do, make sure the top of the shifter isn't obviously damaged.

Since it's under warranty, perhaps take it to the dealer and let them do it?

Hope that helps,
Adnan

[nub340]

Originally Posted by elcheapoloco

The knob snaps onto the shaft. Give it a good hard slap downward and it should snap in place.

I've practically hammered the thing back on every time it happens. Doesn't seem to lock into place like it's supposed to.

Originally Posted by Healey3000

Hi,

Not sure about this happening on the E9x but on my older E34, the shift knob was designed to be removed by pulling straight up, hard. It went back on by pushing down, hard.

It may be that they just didn't install it right. Try pushing down but before you do, make sure the top of the shifter isn't obviously damaged.

Since it's under warranty, perhaps take it to the dealer and let them do it?

Hope that helps,
Adnan

Yeah, it SUPPOSED to be removed by pulling really hard but in my case, it comes off when pulling on it w/just a medium amount of force. Not sure how to tell if it's damaged or not but I'll take a look and see if anything looks obvious.

I was thinking about brining it into the dealer but before I drive all the way down to Long Beach I thought I'd see if anyone had this problem too and knew of a quick fix. Thx man.

[BimmerZealot]

Sounds like the inside where it latches onto the shifter might be busted, shine a flashlight in there and see if its all chewed up, or if you have a buddy with a BMW shift knob you can borrow try that.

[PINeely]

Not gonna lie, I laughed at the thread title.

[gary88]

Originally Posted by PINeely

Not gonna lie, I laughed at the thread title.

Same here

[stratplaya06]

Got a laugh aswell haha.

But in all seriousness, our z4mr had the same problem. Dealer said it was normal operation until I brought it there driving with just the metal shift lever and demanded they replace the knob. Haven't had a problem since.