Shift Knob advice/opinions

[XxSullyxX123]

Hey guys,

I need some advice. In general, I tend to over think small dollar amount decisions for some reason, and make fast big dollar decisions. I don't know why, but that's not the point. I've been doing shift knob upgrade research for a few weeks now, and searching on here through various threads, and googling for images, etc. I haven't found a ton of options for our cars, nor a ton of pictures on here of peoples interior set ups. Aside from going the universal route, which I'm not a fan of, I've seen the BFI knobs (which are my primary candidate), JHM and Euroimpulse. Frankly, I don't love the latter 2 choices, as I feel they sort of "stick out" as being very different and not an OEM+ type of look.

Trying to figure out what fits best for my car, that doesn't stick out too much and make it look to unrefined, but ties in with my interior. I've only seen a Euroimpulse knob on a friend's car, which isn't for my taste, although given its weight probably feels great.

I'm a 2015 S4, Monsoon Grey, Black Optic with black nappa leather and the stock interior trim (the silver). I have satin silver M590 wheels, but obviously no silver mirror caps given the BO package. I was originally leaning toward the standard BFI silver Billet with the 6spd coin figuring it would tie in best with my interior/exterior theme. BFI recommended the air leather, but I have no other air leather in the car, so I'm not sure it ties in properly. If I had the alcantara seats I would get the matching knob, but I don't. I'm open to any suggestions as to what I could be missing also.

As I said, I overthink small decisions. And maybe I shouldn't be changing the knob at all and I'm just bored and want to do something to do something, hahahahaha. Hopefully this thread can benefit other folks too.


Thoughts/pics/opinions?

Added pics for clicks ;)

[kobrian85]

I'm also looking at replacing my stock knob with a heavy option, and I've also narrowed it down to the BFI knob with the 6-speed coin.

I have a Misano Red car, so dialed in on the heavy weight red leather or the red anodized billet, but the silver billet is also a good option. I do think, in your case, the silver billet is a great choice for keeping the theme with the brushed aluminum inlays. The air-leather would also be nice too, little more of a muted/subtle change, and I don't think the air-leather would be too much to draw your attention that it is vastly different then the other leather surfaces.

And I saw yesterday that if you reach out to them they are willing to entertain custom wrapped (someone mentioned wanting a blue alcantara wrapped knob to match the Spirit Blue interior and the AZ rep advised that they connect offline to see what they can work out). Maybe you can get them to consider a non-air-leather alternative for a one-off order?

[drdrew229]

RACESENG

go to their website, they have tons of options. They can make it for you in any color you want. Custom engraving.

[XxSullyxX123]

Good call, custom may not be a bad idea. For Misano, a red knob would look awesome IMO!

Also, do we know if the BFI screws mount perfectly into the OEM slot like the JHM Does? They say it's better than doesn't strip as easily that way.


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[kobrian85]

RACESENG

There's some interesting options, never heard of them...

This one is kind of different, and neat... http://www.raceseng.com/orbature-shi...-speed-manual#

And as simple of an idea of the Thermal Bag is (http://www.raceseng.com/thermal-bag), it's brilliant for the hot climates!

Also, do we know if the BFI screws mount perfectly into the OEM slot like the JHM Does? They say it's better than doesn't strip as easily that way.

That I don't know. I can't say that I've taken note to issues with the mounts for any of the heavy weight options, when reading reviews...

[Zdrajca]

I have a BFI perforated black leather 250g knob. It's amazing. Looks better than stock, imo. I have the default coin, the one with the shield, not the 6-speed coin.

[XxSullyxX123]

RACESENG

go to their website, they have tons of options. They can make it for you in any color you want. Custom engraving.

Never heard of them, but they look to have great products for our cars as well. Thanks!!

Good to know there are other options out there, as I feel like the AZ forums get super biased towards one or two manufacturers a lot of times and then everyone piles on as if there aren't other good options. (Not speaking about shift knobs by the way)

[SteveYem]

A couple days ago I replaced my stock shift knob with an OEM perforated leather knob and I like it so far. It's no heavier than the stock knob but it has a good look and feel:

[XxSullyxX123]

A couple days ago I replaced my stock shift knob with an OEM perforated leather knob and I like it so far. It's no heavier than the stock knob but it has a good look and feel:

That looks great. Where did u pick that up? is it an OEM RS4 knob? or the OEM knob off the nogaro special edition which is the only ive seen to be air leather?

[SteveYem]

That looks great. Where did u pick that up? is it an OEM RS4 knob? or the OEM knob off the nogaro special edition which is the only ive seen to be air leather?

I purchased it recently from another AZ member who was parting out his car. It is an OEM Audi part but unfortunately I do not know the part number for it. It's a perfect OEM+ solution IMO. If I can track down the part number I'll post back.

[XxSullyxX123]

I purchased it recently from another AZ member who was parting out his car. It is an OEM Audi part but unfortunately I do not know the part number for it. It's a perfect OEM+ solution IMO. If I can track down the part number I'll post back.

Cool thanks...As I said above, I love cohesiveness. So i'd need the air leather steering wheel too and that would make that shift knob a bit expensive hahahha.

[SteveYem]

Cool thanks...As I said above, I love cohesiveness. So i'd need the air leather steering wheel too and that would make that shift knob a bit expensive hahahha.

I hear you and thought I might feel the same way, but actually in my opinion the mis-matched wheel and knob actually works. The texture of the shift knob sort of matches the visual texture of the carbon fiber center console, while the smooth leather of the steering wheel goes along with the smooth surfaces of the gauge console area.

[XxSullyxX123]

I hear you and thought I might feel the same way, but actually in my opinion the mis-matched wheel and knob actually works. The texture of the shift knob sort of matches the visual texture of the carbon fiber center console, while the smooth leather of the steering wheel goes along with the smooth surfaces of the gauge console area.

Makes sense. Actually My thoughts were exactly like that. When I was looking at the BFI air leather knob, I thought it would look great with the CF inlays if I had them. But since I don't , I'm trying to tie to the silver. Just worried the plain silver billet might look too ricey and haven't seen a pic on an B8/8.5 S4 with the 6spd coin.


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[SteveYem]

Makes sense. Actually My thoughts were exactly like that. When I was looking at the BFI air leather knob, I thought it would look great with the CF inlays if I had them. But since I don't , I'm trying to tie to the silver. Just worried the plain silver billet might look too ricey and haven't seen a pic on an B8/8.5 S4 with the 6spd coin.


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I personally wouldn't do a non-leather shift knob on this car, whether perforated or not. Those all metal or delrin knobs look out of place amidst such nice surrounding interior materials to my eyes.

[XxSullyxX123]

I personally wouldn't do a non-leather shift knob on this car, whether perforated or not. Those all metal or delrin knobs look out of place amidst such nice surrounding interior materials to my eyes.

I hear ya, and tend to agree.

[kobrian85]

I personally wouldn't do a non-leather shift knob on this car, whether perforated or not. Those all metal or delrin knobs look out of place amidst such nice surrounding interior materials to my eyes.

I see your point with the derlin cover knobs, they look like rubber. In my case, the red billet from BFI will "pop" and yea, it doesn't have any matching red billet material inside, nor do I have the Napa-Lava interior, but one piece of red isn't the worst thing. The photos on ECS's page make it look pretty good though in the GTI they installed it in, I think the red stitching maybe brings it together a little better.

[XxSullyxX123]

I see your point with the derlin cover knobs, they look like rubber. In my case, the red billet from BFI will "pop" and yea, it doesn't have any matching red billet material inside, nor do I have the Napa-Lava interior, but one piece of red isn't the worst thing. The photos on ECS's page make it look pretty good though in the GTI they installed it in, I think the red stitching maybe brings it together a little better.

Yea, red stitching helps, but also the GTI is far less refined and it goes better. I had a black and red delrin knob on my WRX and it was great. It went with the feel of the car.

We do have all red interior dash lighting, and also the red "S" emblem on the steering wheel and gauge pod that it could tie to. Although, with the Red car you also could go with the Red air leather knob to tone down the amount of red. Or tone it down even more and go for the black air leather knob and swap the black BFI coin out for the red BFI coin. Something to tie into your exterior.

[EHesh14]

I would go with the bfi in anodized silver with smooth black leather and the 6 speed coin. I have the black anodized with black suede and its a very nice oem+ touch. If you go this route just make sure you use loctite that isn't the red one for easier removal on the screws and add a few layers of electrical or felt tape around the top of the shifter shaft to get rid of the clicking when going into gears.

[XxSullyxX123]

I would go with the bfi in anodized silver with smooth black leather and the 6 speed coin. I have the black anodized with black suede and its a very nice oem+ touch. If you go this route just make sure you use loctite that isn't the red one for easier removal on the screws and add a few layers of electrical or felt tape around the top of the shifter shaft to get rid of the clicking when going into gears.

Ahh good advice. Clicking would drive me nuts and would have that stock knob back on quick hahah. Do u have pics of yours ? Haven't seen all black in our cars and I was wondering what it would look like.


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[jimrobbington]

I love my euro impulse knob, literally cannot be beat for the price! I don't feel it looks out of place one bit.

[XxSullyxX123]

I love my euro impulse knob, literally cannot be beat for the price! I don't feel it looks out of place one bit.

That's the one my buddy has. I don't dislike it, I just don't love it. Although getting the "S" logo is awesome!


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[JustPlaneChris]

I've got the same Euroimpule knob in mine. The first day I didn't like it at all, because I was a "top grabber". After the 2nd day, I loved it. My ONLY gripe is that it does get rather warm in the Texas summer. Otherwise, a definite thumbs up.

[EHesh14]

Post #37 is mine. Don't mind the spread tow carbon fiber

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ecific-Options!

[DannyDeez]

I don't care if you don't like it ;)

[colton.mcclure]

I have had the red BFI knob in my car for over a month now and love it. My car is 6mt, ice silver with carbon and alcantara interior package and i dont think it looks out of place. I have a german theme and red accent thing going on with my car and that little bit of red in the interior is just enough i think. People compliment on it all the time.. also, i spoke with the rep from bfi and he says that the red billet will not get as hot on summer days because of its coating. Just something to consider... i realized i never took a picture of my knob now to show

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[XxSullyxX123]

I don't care if you don't like it ;)

And I don't care if you don't like my amber side markers. Hahha


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[MrFunk]

I have the red interior so I went with OEM S-Line knob which has a red ring on the top. LOVE it.
It's thicker than the S4 OEM knob and has a nice feel. I just re-used my red stitch shift boot with the new knob.

Here's a google image...

[DannyDeez]

And I don't care if you don't like my amber side markers. Hahha


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Ouchhhh

[XxSullyxX123]

I have the red interior so I went with OEM S-Line knob which has a red ring on the top. LOVE it.
It's thicker than the S4 OEM knob and has a nice feel. I just re-used my red stitch shift boot with the new knob.

Here's a google image...

Love that knob actually. Hard to find. Why the A4 s-line knob is nicer than the S4 I don't get!!

Perfectly matches the push button start with red along the outside too.


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[BillyG]

I have the red interior so I went with OEM S-Line knob which has a red ring on the top. LOVE it.
It's thicker than the S4 OEM knob and has a nice feel. I just re-used my red stitch shift boot with the new knob.

Here's a google image...

I've been considering one of the BFI shift knobs for a while, but your OEM S-Line knob looks amazing! Now I'm even more confused as to which direction to go :)

[colton.mcclure]

I think the red knob is just enough to bring my red accents theme inside... red rotiform centercaps coming soon

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[mmm def]

I used to have the fuzzy knob from the b5 rs4 on my b5 s4, would love an alcantara knob to match the seats.

[XxSullyxX123]

I think the red knob is just enough to bring my red accents theme inside... red rotiform centercaps coming soon

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Definitely works with your theme

- - - Updated - - -

I used to have the fuzzy knob from the b5 rs4 on my b5 s4, would love an alcantara knob to match the seats.

The BFI knobs with alcantara look great. If I didn't have leather, I would've 100% gone that route and not made this thread :)

[migaellefebvre]

Someone needs to figure out how to make OEM knobs heavier. Is it possible to fill it with some heavy material I wonder. I say go some kind of leather BFI knob. They fit right in.


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[XxSullyxX123]

I'm wondering how the black BFI know with air leather looks on our interior. Haven't found a pic of that. The Schwartz or whatever it's called


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