Where do I get a Burlwood Shift Knob?
 

Hi all, I have found a couple of places, but I am not sure if the knob would be correct.

Will the knob from a 126 or 107 work or is mine different?

I would like to find one for a decent price, I have found a few places with them, but they didnt specify if they would fit.

Do you think partshop will have it? I will of course submit a request if so.

Thanks,

Alon

I've been in cars that have it. The wood will rarely match perfectly. Actually, since you have a coupe, I think you have burlwood. There is a W124/R129 shifter that is burl and leather that is absolutely gorgeous. It was used on SOME 500Es and can be easily retrofitted (looks kickass). This is what I would recommend. Probably in the neighborhood of $130. Precision Auto and/or Bekkers would definitely have it. If PartsShop has it, buy from them.

Let me get this straight, the 500E/R129 shift knob will fit my car? Or will I need to modify it so it will work. I dont mind a little modification if necessary.

I too love the leather/wood look. I might even look into having my machinist make me a shaft for a newer 96 up style that bolts to the shaft.

I'll look into that one.

Alon

Should bolt right on. Don't put on the new ones. They look dorky on older cars...

You could always go for these...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=531033831

Well found one, burlwood with new chrome shaft and all for $65.

I got that price from several shops, and picked the shop that was nearby.

I can't wait for it to arrive.

I didn't get the 500E/R129 one, I figure the all wood one is fine.

Alon

Ashman, Where did you get it. I saw then in some parts magazine that I threw away. ?

Heres a couple
 

This is the place I ordered from as the other place I would have had to pay tax because they are in California.

Not sure if the other is, I believe the other is in the pacific northwest.

EDIT: "dead link removed".

or you can try http://www.gapa.com

EDIT: "dead link removed". has one for $199 which is ridiculously priced if you ask me.

I haven't found them at many other places, but I have dealt with gapa.com before and they were good.

The other place I mentioned capitol west seemed OK, and we will see. I had to phone in my order to capitol west. I would phone it in to any of the places just because I would want to make sure it was correct. So if I get sent the wrong one, I can say I was assured it was correct etc. hehe.

Now lets just hope it matches in well.

Alon

How is the installation, Hard? How post some pics on your site when its all done. I'd love to see how good it looks. I like the shift knobs that have the star in the center.

Knob arrived today, ordered it on Friday. Looks very good, a slight bit more cherry/rosey in color than the existing wood, but thats probably due to the existing wood fading with age. But installed, it looks very good. It feels very nice, and I adjusted it when installing to fit where I keep my hand nicely. It does have a different feel than the leather, something that feels a bit strange for now, but will grow on me in time.

I'm going to price out refinishing the center console wood, rear center console wood(not the sliding door but the front cap) and the left door wood at the guy my dad uses for his Rolls. I'll also price out replacements, and then see what the price difference is.

I like the shifters with the star too, like the newer style ones, but couldn't find one to work, unless I took mine to my machinist, with the New knob, and had him cut, bend, and thread a new shaft to fit it.

That would probably have been more than what I paid, figuring the shaft would have to be custom milled down to the right size for the shift gate, not to mention for the new knob, plus the bending, threading, and then of course the chroming of it, or painting of it.

I'll post some pics soon. It was easy to install.

My Version of the install, Step by Step.

Step 1. Lift carpet from center console.

Step 2. Undo Single Screw holding center console wood in.

Step 3. Lift Shift gate trim piece. Rubber on some cars, plastic on others... mines plastic.

Step 4. Lift out center console piece.

Step 5. Put car in neutral.

Step 6. On the front of the shift gate. look for a tab on the right hand side. you lift the tab away from the shift gate box on the front. on the left side of the shift gate, there is another tab you lift away just enough. Then pull up from the front/side.

Step 7. Grab your 14MM Open Ended Wrench and loosen the nut turning it counter clockwise.

Step 8. Unscrew the shift knob counter clockwise.

Step 9. Clean out center of shift gate once knob is removed.

Step 10. Remove nut from old shift knob, and screw all the
way on to the new shift knob.

Step 11. Insert new knob into shift gate, then insert threaded end back into The Threaded Linkage shift knob holder and screw it on until it is where you want it.

Step 12. Tighten down the nut to the threaded shift knob holder, so that the threads are showing above the nut, and it secures the knob to the linkage with enough tightness so the knob can not come loose.

Step 13. Put the car back in park, and Reinsert center wood console.

Step 14. Replace screw under center console carpet.

Step 15. Replace trim ring

Step 16. Grab a soft 100% cotton towel or cloth, and buff the fingerprints and such from the knob.

Step 17. Stand back and Admire your New Knob in your car.

Step 18. Turn on the car, put it in gear, go for a drive and don't get too into your new knob. ;)

Time: 2 hours. 30 Minutes to install (That included glueing the ashtray wood back on cause it came off), 30 minutes to admire, 1 hour of driving pleasure.

Alon

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