I have seen a lot of people list it as a "mod" in their sigs...
so i checked out the website and thought it was a joke.

how can a shift knob act like a short shifter? especially when
its not changing the throw length or anything.... its just a
shift knob!!! am i missing something here? and how
can a shift knob be worth $130?

please enlighten me so as i may understand!

To confuse you even more, the Whalen actually lengthens the throw slightly...

The Whalen knob is significantly heavier than stock. This gives the shifter more inertia once you move it so it feels smoother going into gear. Also, the Whalen knob cleverly and precisely locks in place on the shift rod. Now, it definitely is expensive. Whether paying $100+ for a beautifully machined and custom engraved shiftknob is worth it to you is a matter of personal taste and preference. Obviously it was to me:

http://www.ross-tech.net/andy/mini/gauges/console02.jpg

It's an ourtrageously overpriced doodad for the car.... until you get one in your hands that is. You kinda have to try one to really understand. I love mine and would get another in a heartbeat.

Whalen knobs are not cheap but they are very well made, fit precisely and easily, come in a variety of shift patterns and logo patterns or (my favorite) custom patterns (usually excellent). The heavy weight feels good and works well.

I'm getting one as soon as I can figure out what logo to use and which engraving. I'm in no hurry, I have a carbon fiber and chrome MOMO shift knob that also works for me. (I got it before I learned about Whalen). :sad: :cry:

Yup, you just have to try it, perhaps someone you know has one. I have one for each of my MINI's. Feels great!

It's an item I added just to make my car my own.

I love it. Some people put stripes or extra headlights
on their cat for way more than $150.

This was the deal for me.

http://bobodyne.com/web-docs/robots/...rWhalen_sm.jpg
http://www.bobodyne.com/web-docs//Im...rozen_1_sm.jpg

:grin: Nothing to add (yet) - I just have always loved that frosted knob picture! :grin:

These are my pics of my whalen. When I picked up my MC, that knob was the first thing to go on!

http://www.littlemini.us/gallery/mem...halen_rear.jpg
http://www.littlemini.us/gallery/mem...halen_qtr2.jpg
http://www.littlemini.us/gallery/mem...whalen_qtr.jpg
http://www.littlemini.us/gallerypix/images/DSCN8454.jpg

thanks for the replies!

i guess its just one of those "own one and you'll understand" types of things. i think you guys did a much better job of explaining it than the Whalen website did.

Now i have to figure our what graphic i want on my knob!

cheers!
-ABT-

Trippy, my tabby cat already has stripes, but you got me thinking about installing some lighting on my cat!
:lol:

edit: deleted duplicate post :razz:

(double posting did not make the first one any funnier)

Hiya Tontobird

I was just admiring your Whalen at brunch yesterday. I'm saving for one as well.

Quality speaks for itself. It just works 'cuz the sum of it's parts is greater than the intrinsic value of the components themselves.

Octaneguy....those are great PICs. What kinda camera are you using?




>>These are my pics of my whalen. When I picked up my MC, that knob was the first thing to go on!
>>
>>http://www.littlemini.us/gallery/mem...halen_rear.jpg
>>http://www.littlemini.us/gallery/mem...halen_qtr2.jpg
>>http://www.littlemini.us/gallery/mem...whalen_qtr.jpg
>>http://www.littlemini.us/gallerypix/images/DSCN8454.jpg

>>Octaneguy....those are great PICs. What kinda camera are you using?
>>

Hahaha, I was thinking the same thing. Those are really nice pics. Prolly even more important than the camera is proper lighting and a tripod. :smile:

The Whalen is going the first thing I put on my MCS when it arrives. Guaranteed it will go on before I leave the lot. :razz:

I'm thinking this might be the way to go. About the same size as the Whalen but a full 3 lbs.

http://www.hawaiilure.com/pix/cannonball.jpg

>>thanks for the replies!
>>
>>i guess its just one of those "own one and you'll understand" types of things. i think you guys did a much better job of explaining it than the Whalen website did.
>>
>>Now i have to figure our what graphic i want on my knob!
>>
>>cheers!
>>-ABT-

I have to agree about my site. I had that put together for me, seeing that I'm pretty much computer-inept!

The site needs more and better pics, more info, etc. Getting it fixed up is on my to-do list.

When I first began making these knobs, they only fit BMW's, not MINI's.
And since my knob has an overall height that's about 1 1/8" shorter than a stock BMW knob, it does act as a short-shifter on those cars.

There is a small disclaimer on the site that states that the short-shifter aspect does not apply to MINI.

Sorry for any confusion!

The Whalen really is something that you've got to feel to believe. I first got to play with one at a local BMW tuner's shop and really appreciated the heft and balance of it and decided that I needed one for myself. When it's installed in the car, shifting is completely different - for me, more precise and easier to row between gears. If you decide to go with a short-shifter, the extra mass on the end can help to offset the increase in effort to shift that you notice going to that sort of set-up.

And Doug's a GREAT guy to work with! Except when you bother him constantly... :wink:

_________________
Just another sabre-toothed squirrel with its tail on fire... ~Proud member of the CWFAC '03~

Wow, these things look good.. I think I might be getting myself one!! How easy is it to pop off the old shift knob? (Without giving myself a black eye)

Be real careful getting the old knob off.

Here's my procedure:

1) Sit inbetween the two front seats with the parking brake handle lowered, and in your (you-know-where)
2) One foot in the driver's footwell, one foot in the passenger's footwell.
3) Grab the knob with both hands like you are praying not to hit yourself in the head.
4) Put your knees alongside the shift lever under your hands.
5) Lever using your toes to press up on your hands, and POP off comes the knob.

If you just pull up, when it comes off, you might bang yourself in the head, or toss
it into the windshield. (Which will crack immediately. :lol: )

>>To confuse you even more, the Whalen actually lengthens the throw slightly...

How much more does it lengthen the throw, a few mm.?

It sure does look nice on the pics above. Great custom engraving :grin:

>>Be real careful getting the old knob off.
>>
>>Here's my procedure:
>>
>>1) Sit inbetween the two front seats with the parking brake handle lowered, and in your (you-know-where)
>>2) One foot in the driver's footwell, one foot in the passenger's footwell.
>>3) Grab the knob with both hands like you are praying not to hit yourself in the head.
>>4) Put your knees alongside the shift lever under your hands.
>>5) Lever using your toes to press up on your hands, and POP off comes the knob.
>>
>>If you just pull up, when it comes off, you might bang yourself in the head, or toss
>>it into the windshield. (Which will crack immediately. :razz:

You guys have made me want to get one for my husband... He is taking over my old S while i am getting a new one :wink:

The big question is what do I have him engrave in it? I don't want to ask him... I just want to put it in the car for him.

I'm going to order mine soon. I'm sure the guys here can come up with some awesome engraving ideas. I'm going the plain Jane route..polished for me. It's classy, sorta matches the rest of the chrome, and just looks nice. :smile:

>>You guys have made me want to get one for my husband... He is taking over my old S while i am getting a new one :wink:
>>
>>The big question is what do I have him engrave in it? I don't want to ask him... I just want to put it in the car for him.

play it safe, get the brushed one with the gears on it.
i will get the 6-speed gearshift pattern on the brushed one myself... classy, conservative, almost looks like it was supposed to come on the car. :wink: