my dirty little shift knob

[sonichris]

has anyone ever tried to clean the little round clear rubbery/plasticy shift pattern display on the shift knob? i'm a mechanic, so even though i wash my hands AND use latex gloves when i work, i still end up getting this part dingy. in the year and a half i've had the car i've tried to clean it three times. everything i try turns the material sticky, and then the cloth, or paper towel i'm using actually sticks to the knob and makes it cloudy/linty AND still dirty. i've tried glass cleaner, cleaner wax, some blue stuff the clean-up guys have (but not the super caustic stuff!), honda all purpose cleaner/polish (which is good for every surface of the car (leather, paint, vinyl, plastic)), etc... everything i tried turned the rubber/plastic/whatever sticky. at my last dealer visit (a week ago) i told the advisor about it and they just stuck a new knob on there, onaccounta they couldn't clean it either. so now that i have a beautifully clean shift knob, i would only like to use the pefect cleaning product that will not melt this space-age material bmw has invented for it's sole purpose to accumulate dirt and aggravate me. so.... the perfect cleaning product is...

[BradB]

While I can't claim to be a mechanic by trade, I do get my hands pretty dirty working on my cars. The shift knob takes its toll. I have had great luck with Einszett Cleaner, my favorite interior cleaner by far. It's on sale now. I bought a couple bottles a week ago. HINT: Use the checkout discount code "CLOSEOUT" and get a 25 or 30% discount on ALL Einszett products.

...................

Chris, on another note, I see you have M7 Springs. I am thinking seriously of getting those. How do you like them? Any tire clearance problems? What size tires and wheels do you have?

I have 215/45-17 Yoko AVS ES 100's on Flik Wasp wheels. The wheels have an offset of 42, so they stick out a bit more than stock. I was concerned that if I lowered the car I would have rubbing if I lowered. Do you have any pictures? (sorry to hijack the thread, sort of)

Thanks, Brad

[ebock]

Get a Whalen... Stainless is easy to clean! :smile:

[thegooch]

If you email me and pay for the shipping you can have my brand new knob. I swapped it with an aftermarket knob about 100 miles into the car.

[10851CS]

Originally Posted by ebock

Get a Whalen... Stainless is easy to clean! :smile:

EGGzactly what I was going to say

Now you have another reason to get one besides the feel

Earl

[Pat_Cooper]

does the stock knob come off easy? which knobs replace the stock one without any modifications?

[10851CS]

Originally Posted by Pat_Cooper

does the stock knob come off easy? which knobs replace the stock one without any modifications?

Yes.

Whalen.

Earl

[BradB]

Hey guys,

I hear nice things about the whalen knob. But it's pricey$$$. Any advantages besides looks?

[10851CS]

Originally Posted by BradB

Hey guys,

I hear nice things about the whalen knob. But it's pricey$$$. Any advantages besides looks?

FEEL

And you can say you have one.

Actually drive a MINI with one and you will know if you like it or not for the $$$.


Earl

[sonichris]

thanks BradB for actually answering my question. i'll try that stuff. has anyone else had the same problem?

as far as the M7 springs, i love them. they are about the same stiffness as stock over rough roads, but you can tell there is less travel over bigger bumps. i never hit the stops, though. the handing has improved, i can actually kick the tail out on medium speed (40 to 50mph) turns by tapping the brake. no tire rubbing, and you can just stick your palm between the top of the tires and the fenders. i have 205/50/16 toyo proxes 4's w/stock wheels, no pictures...

and i don't want a whalen knob, i like the stock knob... a CLEAN stock knob.