Ok, I saw a few people do it. So I jumped in. BEWARE, It is cosmetic only, Lights will not come on. But I did it in 5 Minutes. (not my initial plan, but I broke the flexcable in the ripping process., but i was glad i didnt even try with the lights)


First, Pulling out the OEM knob was not hard at all. Just Set to P, press in the unlock button, and pull up. (lean your forearm in the center console, and pull up as if your forearm was a "crowbar")
I HEARED MANY PEOPLE Breaking Windshield (?), Hitting the forehead, Destroying Rearview mirrors. AS PRECAUTION, Bring a Pillow and put it on top of it, just in case your Knob is very very tight.


I purchased a Used LCI Shifter off eBay.com Taken out from an X5 LCI. (anyone will work since we dont care about the electronics)

I took it apart carefully, and got everything separated, (headache to put it back in original state, so no going back)
The Top Part (the part we want) is a Clipped (plastic) on to the aluminum Stick center. so be careful when removing. SINCE I took it apart it was easier to remove, BUT I would guess I could try to pull hard in the very beginning, it could posibbly come out as well.

Then All you have to do it Clip it on into your old shifter Stick Center. It's Like Plug and Play. (the center of the shifter knob is empty because it doesnt have the lever unlock button, so the knob Grabs the aluminum stick from the outside. You will find it a little hard fitting the Shifter Leather Boot, I used a super small screwdriver and removed a few stitches from the top to make the hole a litttle bigger just enough to squeeze in the new shifter knob.

I found it a little bit loose since I could turn the shifter very very easily, and I decided to Clamp it from inside. Went to Lowe's and got a #8 Clamp. (not actual size, got it?)


so I clamped it tightened it hard and now it wont turn 0.1 Degree. remember to tighten it little by little so you dont break the plastic that grabs the shifter aluminum center.


I didnt take pictures in the process. But if enough people request it. I will consider doing a DIY.

here is the final product

 

looks like it sits too high up but looks nice.

Lil off topic. When I removed my MT shift knob, I smashed my chin and my gums started bleeding Yeah...be careful pulling that thing

 

So all the functions work on that knob besides the lights? What about the button for park?

 

Yeah, it is a little bit high, but just low enough for the In Dash cd to eject, So

The reason i didnt go to cut the extra inch and half of plastic in the LCI shifter knob, its because i would have to glue it, since the clamp wouldnt fit. Second reason, I still have CPO, and if any thing regarding the transmission fails, Its a plug and play for my old shifter before bringing in to the Stealer. Otherwise, those GANGS will blame my mod and give me hard time. After my warranty expires, I will mode it with a SAT shifter, and play with the lights.




Unfortunately, the Shifter Electronic unit doesnt fit or work for the preLCI. I didnt went to spend hours and hours to do the wiring andstuff (cause i broke the flexcavble when pulling the knob, Lol)

But if you could if you want to tear your OEM electronic apart to do the Park button. for the lights, you'd need to tap into your old black cover's leds.


Search for DelMarco in another forum, he did it. but it is too time consuming for me. all i wanted is cosmetic appereance. the lights are too little reason to spend precious hours.

 

I'm sorry but for me: :thumbsdown:

 

Same here. I'd prefer the M5 SMG shifter.

 

What is it with you and hurting yourself!?!?

 

1st M5 SMG looks nice too, too bad their Labels are wrong with how you shift. Plus I dont wanna be a poser trying to imitate a M5, even worse without SMG.

2nd, The OEM shifters are

But as always, comments and opinions are highly respected

 

It just looks too tall and unwieldy to me!

 

That is untill my CPO runs out. after that, im gonna cut the aluminum thing to make it short like a real LCI.