I think the center wooden console has to come off.

on the W123 :

Remove the ashtray and a metal frame just below the ashtray

remove the wood (slowly and carefully) - it's a very expensive piece of furniture.

disconnect the switches and pull the wood out of the way.

unscrew the shifter cover (the plastic piece w/ PRNDSL and the gate in it)

then i had to be creative to move the shifter to a certain position and there is a lock nut that u have to untighten. I'm pretty sure it's a 15mm or 17mm nut.

Once that lock nut is loose all u gotta do is unscrew the shift knob! Good luck

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe