im just sayin you know...you pay a LOT of money for a relatively small car with premium quality, which means you value quality things....then you go and complain about 150 dollars for a quality shift ****, it just doesnt make sense

 

I LUV my Whalen even if I did have to go all the way out to Colorado for MITM2 just to take advantage of "free shipping" Its a nice custom **** with the same JCW Works logo as appears on the exhaust tips. It did take Doug quite a bit of design time to get it just right, and he never once complained. Not only does it look good, the shifting feels much better.

 

I have and love this

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html..._ID=TIN5070TMS

 

Jeez, size has nothing to do with it. And Whalen missed my point.

Okay, let me speak for myself: I know what goes into the manufacture of an item such as a Whalen shift ****. I know that the cost of the materials, the hard and software, and the time and effort to produce it, all contribute to the cost of the item.

There is a guy on a motorcycle list I read that makes an adapter kit to spring-mount a certain kind of aftermarket seat on a certain kind of bike. His company took great pains to design and manufacture this kit to do its job. And I'm sure it does. I have this bike and seat combo. However, I was not going to spend $800 . . . yes EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS on an item when I was able to 'manufacture' a mounting system that does the same job for $5 . . . yes, FIVE DOLLARS. It's been on the bike for about 3 years, looks great, and works the way it's supposed to.

I'm not saying that no one should be spending $800 on a metal sub-frame and brackets, or $150 on an engraved aluminum ball that fits in the palm of your hand. I had said that there are some-to-many people that don't see the value in it. It's a valid point, and there's nothing wrong with pointing it out. And especially for people that enjoy making things for themselves.

Zip

 

Stainless steel, actually.

And no, you didn't say "people that don't see the value in it".
You said ""people who look at an item for what it is".

I don't see the same value in many things that a lot of people are crazy about.
Yet I believe that I can objectively look at something and appreciate it for what it is, and not just throw out a rediculous statement like "that's way overpriced", without having a clue about what went into the manufacture of said item, or what comparable items are selling for.

I've said too much; probably shooting myself in the foot with every keystroke.
I'm going away now; carry on!

 

Now if that $150 included a Lamborghini to attach it to...
although, if I had my druthers, a Ferrari hooked up to a Whalen **** would look nice in my driveway.
-skip-

 

Hasn't that always been the debate since time immemorial?

 

I retract my earlier statement, "they cost way too much". I spoke without researching how Doug makes his *****. I bow to his talent and ingenuity.
My appologies Doug.

 

i bought my "god-awful" doug whalen overpriced shift **** not long after buying my MINI, and erg.. ..i cant ever go without it.

it is the best feeling shift **** i've owned, and i used to equip all my VW's with MOMO and Sparco religiously.

Go Doug Go!

 

Apology accepted.

And I offer mine as well, for sort of "flying off the handle".
That's not my usual manner, on the forums. I attribute it to no time away from the shop for the last six weeks; but even that is not a good excuse.

 

'tis OK Doug. Can't please everyone. Ever.

Not worth trying to.

BTW, the sanding advice you gave worked like a charm. Should've thought of it myself!


On Topic: that TMS cabon **** is pretty cool! Can't go wrong with Will Turner's stuff.

 

Since we're on the subject of Whalen Shift *****, I have a question for you Doug. What is the current situation of those stone inlay Shift *****? I remember a few months ago you had some prototype designs going on, but I forgot if you decided to go ahead with those designs or not.

 

There isn't a huge variety of round stone cabochons available, but I have pictures in my gallery of a few that I can readily get my hands on.

http://thewhalenshiftmachine.shutter...btWLjo&notag=1

Since a shift **** with an inlaid stone is not something that a lot of folks are going to be interested in, I haven't spent a lot of time on them.

I'm still hoping to find time to make stainless steel e-brake handles; I promised to do that YEARS ago, and it just hasn't materialized.
Too much industrial work coming in the door these days; it's not leaving me much time for "fun" projects.
However, it's very good for helping me with the monthly loan payments!

 

I emailed you awhile back and never got a reply.
how much for a blue pool ball? 2004 mini S 6 speed.
thanks ;]

 

Nice

 

Sorry about that. I don't believe that I received your e-mail.

All pool ball ***** are $100.00; engraving is an additional $20.00.

-Doug

 

I too had thought that the Whalens were expensive until a friend pulled his off his shifter and popped it on mine, WOW what a difference. It felt just right in my hand and to me the car shifted smoother. I checked out a few others a couple days later and decided I had to have one. Once I got mine my son tried to steal mine for his car. I have since bought one for him as a birthday present for the next 5 years. Doug delivers a quality product and his customer service can't be beat.

 

Ok, that's cool. I didn't really have too much interest in getting an inlaid stone shift ****, but I had to ask anyway.

Stainless steel e-brake handles you say? I was actually thinking about that a couple days ago. I was just sitting around thinking, "You know, I wonder if Doug is ever going to make e-brake handles to go along with his shift *****."

I think that sounds awesome. Let us know when you do find time to get around to it.

 

Oh that sounds great! you supply the ball too or do i ship you one? i may have to do that sometime

 

That includes a ball.

Of course, if you find something unique and want to supply it, I'll knock something off that price.