Hello all,
I just like to share my experience with manual shift knob from formymercedes.com


Before my purchase of W204 Manual, one thing hesitated me was lack of performance upgrade available after owning M's and S's all paired with manual transmission.
But over all, W204 is just well balanced car for a single man...the look, options, just enough interior and cargo space(with folding rear seats), not fast but good enough power and good handling(although no LSD)...I'm at my 30's and already stepping back from begging for more acceleration and speed until I can absolute afford without breaking my piggy bank.
But the ONE THING I was begging to change/upgrade was the feel I get while in the car, especially the one I'm constantly in contact with.

Now back to the point...The Shifter Knob.
I hated the feeling I get everytime my right hand is rubbing the stick.
And since it's chipped and worn, it was just unbearable...
Even OEM knobs are great for Bimmers, Audi's, Vdubs and there are great upgrades available like ZHP, RS shift knobs, OEM or aftermarket.
So I searched and searched...there were some options from overseas, ugly and thin looking OEM leather knobs from Germany, or ricer looking knobs from China which won't even install neatly.
Then I finally found a review in this forum about the leather knob from formymercedes.com.
So I gave it a shot, I went to the website, the leather knob didn't turn me on, but wanting a wooden knob when I was young, I decided to give it a try. I loved the look of Burl wood from the picture and thought wooden knob would suit well with the luxury Mercedes although my W204 came with aluminum trim...
I contacted Jerry from mymercedes.com. Jerry responded fast and is a very dependable guy. He didn't have one in stock but after short conversation over the email, Burl Shift Knob was in order :thumbsup:
After a couple of weeks, I received an email from Jerry saying the Burl Shift Knob arrived and shortly it was on the way to my house with tracking number along with a new shifter pattern emblem.
I received, opened the box immediately and I just loved the smooth feeling of it. The very next day, I installed, which was very easy without using any tool, I took some comparison pictures.
Although some may say wooden knob just doesn't go along with aluminum trim, I never look down and most importantly, the feel when I rub the stick everytime I shift, I'm no more irritated annoyed angry driver. I think it even changed how I drive...more smoothly and gently

 

Looks like a nice, quality piece. I happen not to be a woodgrain fan, but certainly wanted to upgrade from the silver plastic which was original equipment. I found this black leather, stubby knob, which also is well-made and feels great if one prefers leather.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-W204-ICT-shift-gear-knob-gaiter-illuminated-leather-plastic-frame-/251217876943?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7dc097cf&vxp=mtr

 

Jerry is a good guy. People always seem happy with his products.

 

Do you like this one better than the European OEM one you had before?

Could it be considered a "short throw" since the lever is actually shorter? Technically yes I guess, but does it feel better/different?

 

The one I had before was the European MB original part in leather. And guess what.......it broke and came off in my hand. Trust me, I am not rough.

This one does feel much better. Being 6'2", I have a sizable hand length, and it wraps around this larger shift knob more comfortably. It does feel better in motion as well. Substantial and quality feel. I did not connect the lit shift pattern.

 

What are you doing with your old one? My plastic tabs broke on mine and it comes off pretty often.

 

I sold the original silver one a long time ago to someone on this forum. The European MB leather one was tossed out after it broke.

 

@mike's What are you doing with your old shift knob?

 

Well, it's sitting in my globebox for now...it's worn and chipped...

 

Hey Sportstick,
About how much shorter is this than factory? I'm thinking about giving it a try....

 

I think the most useful dimension is that the top surface horizontal plane (where you see the shift pattern) is 4.5" above the brushed aluminum trim plane on the surrounding console.

Now if you measure the stock one you have, you can let me know if it really is shorter, of if this is my skewed perception! Either way, it feels better to me, maybe partially due to its girth!

 

Looks to be 5 1/4" in neutral. So it sounds like a 3/4 drop makes a noticeable difference in feel...not to mention the improved shape. I have always felt my hand was a little too high...guess they went for more clearance from the cup holder.
Need to quit spending money on this car but I may be another $100 light by the end of the day...

 

Looks like mine is in the mail coming from Germany...

For anyone else interested, the same shop has a non lighted version for $98, which is the one I purchased. The website drop down menu says it is not compatible but the seller confirmed that is actually is.