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I'm looking for a Carbon Fiber Keyless Go Shift Knob for my 07 E63. The shop (DCT Motorsports) that I had placed my order with dropped the ball, and refunded me my money back after 2 months. I've been on their *** lately about status updates, and they finally admitted that their subcontractor in Taiwan can't produce it. I assume they were making it themselves. So now I'm on the hunt for another source. I've reached out to CKS Performance, OCarbon and several others. They've all said no, because the shift knob isn't covered in wood, where they can bond carbon fiber to. So does anyone know or have a contact, that could either sale or make me one. I purchased a full carbon fiber interior trim kit from OCarbon, and it arrives today. But the one missing link, is the shift knob. A carbon shift knob would complete my transformation nicely, just like the photo below. Any information that you can provide me would be greatly appreciated, and a price would be even better. Everything was looking so promising until now.
Thank you, I've re-uploaded the photos. My boy Nic Wright contacted me, he said that he can do it for $600. Which is high, but he said it takes like 20 hours of his time, hence the price.
Well I also reached out to Gerald Jones at "ForMyMercedes", he said that he can send it off to Thailand where they will refinish it in Carbon Fiber. So I now have two possibilities.
I just need to figure out how badly I want this, and at what price. So thank you for your help. Much Appreciated.
This is what Nic Wright told me about his process. The knob to get the weave laid down perfectly takes a great deal of time, otherwise the weave will look distorted. I pride myself on top notch work, and wouldn’t want to make a part that has a flaw or looks out of place in a full carbon interior. That is the only reason I have a very high price for my steering wheels and shift knobs. In regards to the bonding with your knob, the leather has to be pulled and a fiberglass shell has to be formed on to the knob, before you can actually adhere carbon fiber on to it. This is done by a conventional vacuum layup with fiberglass, followed by a carbon fiber laminate. The groove that makes the knob look like it is two pieces is actually cut and rounded into one piece of carbon fiber twill. It is in fact one piece of cloth. If done correctly it looks factory. Let me know what you decide in the next week, I’d be glad to help you out. So I will probably go with Nic, instead of ForMyMercedes as my interior was done with perfection, why not my shifter. Quality can't be rushed, and I want attention to detail.
I had Ledermanz Grigul Design make my wheel, it was made in Europe. But Nic Wright made my Carbon Fiber Instrument Cluster, that I really like. And it really actuates the interior and will complement my CF iInterior Trim once it’s installed next week.
My buddy Nicholas Wright just came thru. I made my Black Series Carbon Instrument Cluster. This was his response.
I just got your message. I can definitely do it for you. I charge about $600 to do full carbon shift knobs. I know not cheap, but they require about 20 hours of my time to make. I do know of one other guy that produces carbon fiber overlay parts, I’m not sure if he is any cheaper, however if my price is too high it might be worth reaching out to him. Let me know if you’re interested in me doing it or if you would like his contact info.
The knob to get the weave laid down perfectly takes a great deal of time, otherwise the weave will look distorted. I pride myself on top notch work, and wouldn’t want to make a part that has a flaw or looks out of place in a full carbon interior. That is the only reason I have a very high price for my steering wheels and shift knobs.
In regards to the bonding with your knob, the leather has to be pulled and a fiberglass shell has to be formed on to the knob, before you can actually adhere carbon fiber on to it. This is done by a conventional vacuum layup with fiberglass, followed by a carbon fiber laminate. The groove that makes the knob look like it is two pieces is actually cut and rounded into one piece of carbon fiber twill. It is in fact one piece of carbon fiber. If done correctly it looks factory. Let me know what you decide in the next week, I’d be glad to help you out.
So this is the direction that I will most likely pursue. .
Just my opinion, but I think the factory leather/alcantara shift knob goes well with your leather/alcantara wheel. I purposely got an alcantara E63 shifter for my E55 so it can match my alcantara wheel that I will get one day...
Just my opinion, but I think the factory leather/alcantara shift knob goes well with your leather/alcantara wheel. I purposely got an alcantara E63 shifter for my E55 so it can match my alcantara wheel that I will get one day...
Thank you, I was thinking the same thing. But I need to wait for the shop to finish installing it, before I make my final decision.
But you can't tell me that this carbon shifter doesn't look good.
But the factory one, doesn't look bad either. It's just the carbon shifter is the crown jewel and focal point to the entire interior.
380 for the leather /perf. I believe Alcantara was the same price in this instance. Any thread color or pattern was the same cost.
120 additional for 1/16 padding. I got that too. You may see a wrinkle on the lower left but that smoothed out upon use.
If you want “d” shaping it is furthur priced up. I did not do that.
I found it very comparable to ledermanz but he (Alex) was local and I could talk to him and shake his hand. That is important to me. His place is a hole in the wall but when you look at his work on Facebook or elsewhere it really stands for itself. I have no afffiliation and actually sold my car right after this upgrade and moved to a 13 wagon and I cant wait to do another wheel since Alcantara in the stock wheel has a “lifetime”. A new wheel really adds and renews the life of an older car. I’m very tactile and this was a long time want and was a great choice.
let me know if there are any more questions.
To add, it took under four days but he scheduled five I think.
Last edited by Baltistyle; Sep 9, 2019 at 05:02 PM.
Reason: Forgot time
In most cars you will find that the steering wheel and shifter match (similar materials, stitching, colors etc. So do me the factory knob would tie in very well with your setup.
380 for the leather /perf. I believe Alcantara was the same price in this instance. Any thread color or pattern was the same cost.
120 additional for 1/16 padding. I got that too. You may see a wrinkle on the lower left but that smoothed out upon use.
If you want “d” shaping it is furthur priced up. I did not do that.
I found it very comparable to ledermanz but he (Alex) was local and I could talk to him and shake his hand. That is important to me. His place is a hole in the wall but when you look at his work on Facebook or elsewhere it really stands for itself. I have no afffiliation and actually sold my car right after this upgrade and moved to a 13 wagon and I cant wait to do another wheel since Alcantara in the stock wheel has a “lifetime”. A new wheel really adds and renews the life of an older car. I’m very tactile and this was a long time want and was a great choice.
let me know if there are any more questions.
To add, it took under four days but he scheduled five I think.
Very nice steering wheel, someone put their heart into this one. I however went with Ledermanz. The first wheel that he made for me, got lost at FedEX Airport Hub at Dulles International Airport in VA.
I personally think that someone stole it. But Alex stepped in and made me a new wheel within a week, he came back from vacation early just to knock this wheel out for me.
And I very much appreciate his attention to detail and his craftsmanship.
I choose to switch out the Alcantara Shift Paddles for the OEM aluminum ones.
380 for the leather /perf. I believe Alcantara was the same price in this instance. Any thread color or pattern was the same cost.
120 additional for 1/16 padding. I got that too. You may see a wrinkle on the lower left but that smoothed out upon use.
If you want “d” shaping it is furthur priced up. I did not do that.
I found it very comparable to ledermanz but he (Alex) was local and I could talk to him and shake his hand. That is important to me. His place is a hole in the wall but when you look at his work on Facebook or elsewhere it really stands for itself. I have no afffiliation and actually sold my car right after this upgrade and moved to a 13 wagon and I cant wait to do another wheel since Alcantara in the stock wheel has a “lifetime”. A new wheel really adds and renews the life of an older car. I’m very tactile and this was a long time want and was a great choice.
let me know if there are any more questions.
To add, it took under four days but he scheduled five I think.
Thanks for the info, I'll definitely hit him up for a quote soon.
I'd go with the alcantara/leather shift knob as you need something to break up all that carbon fiber IMO. That way it matches the steering wheel and the seats.
I'd go with the alcantara/leather shift knob as you need something to break up all that carbon fiber IMO. That way it matches the steering wheel and the seats.
Strigoi,
And I don’t disagree with you, I’ve been thinking about that myself, and it would save me $600 as well. My interior install along with my new head bolts and valve tappers should be done today and hopefully, I can look at it and decide for myself. The car has enough carbon bits on it already, front splitter, engine cover and air boxes, roof spoiler, trunk spoiler, rear diffuser, instrument cluster and now interior trim. So I’m leaning towards that direction. I think that having a carbon shifter would be carbon overload for the interior. Plus like you mentioned, the leather and alcantara shift knob would match nicely with the leather seats, headliner and steering wheel. Ah.......decisions decisions.
Last edited by Yuille36; Sep 11, 2019 at 08:23 AM.
Yeah, thats why we don't deal with those types of shift knobs anymore unless they are the removable wood pieces. It's just too difficult and time consuming to do cost effectively, most customers aren't willing to pay the premium for them, so I don't really bother with it. His pricing and time quote seems pretty fair in my view. We normally charge $150 for the single, small piece that is removable wood, but it doesn't require any of the extra steps that he outlined and we can bang those out pretty quick.
Let me know if you need anything else. We can custom make most things, as long as we have original pieces to work with.--
Matt Johnson
Owner
oCarbon.com
I have made my decision, after careful consideration I decided to keep the OEM Keyless Go Shift Knob. I think that it add balance to the interior, as there is such a thing as carbon overload.
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