I have a question... depending on your answers I may either feel really good about spontaneously chucking $150 out the window... or, I could feel really bad

I'm a little person. I don't object to the size of the MINI shiftknob, but I've always felt like it wasn't heavy enough (I suppose I've just fixed that problem) and I feel like the clear center insert will eventually yellow from contact with skin oils. But my BIGGEST problem is the 4th to 5th shift--I feel like it's 30 feet long and, when I'm sitting in a comfortable position, I kind of have to lean over to make the shift.

Will my new Whalen knob a) make it better, b) keep it about the same or, c) make the throw worse?

(please oh please be a or b...)

One more question that I know has been asked before but since I'm posting this I may as well ask anyway: I assume the Whalen knob, being metal, gets very cold in the winter. But does it heat up as much as the MINI knob in the summer?

Thanks all
:smile:

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I have the whalen shift knob, its awesome. i think all shifts are improved i think it makes the shift from 4th to 5th smoother i dont know about leaning i never had to.

Also that thing gets hot as hell in the sun! so i just leave it in the glove box.
hehe

hope that helps.

When you want to shift, it seems that just touching the knob wills it to move - an inertia thing i guess - so the 4-5 shift should seem smoother.
The other thing about temperature is only a problem if you don't keep both hands on the wheel: [instruction on] you are either gonna shift or you're not - no indecision allowed - so as you remove you hand from the wheel and shift and move your hand back to the wheel, you are only in contact with the really cold or hot knob for a moment [instruction off] so it's no problem!

^^ I know, I know... :razz:

put a sock on the knob when not in the car it will keep it cooler

>>put a sock on the knob when not in the car it will keep it cooler

Hey that's a good idea! But I use a $7 collapsible sun shade which keeps my interior from frying. My Whalen is never too hot or too cold. The Whalen is definitely a great buy, so don't feel bad about it OMToast.

The extra mass does make shifting easier. Using my Elbow Landing device (armrest), I can just flick my wrist to change gears. I like that a lot! Most people equate the ease of shifting performance wise similar to adding a short shift kit.

Remember that the knob has a quickrelease. You can pull it off in a few seconds. This is great if you need to pull your console apart for modding, or to show it off to your friends who can't come to the MINI, or to have a great weapon you can throw, or as one person said, toss into your glove compartment.
http://www.3forces.com/mini/galleryp...en/whalen4.jpg
http://www.3forces.com/mini/galleryp...en/whalen2.jpg

More Whalen Stuff

I love my Whalen!

I'm more bothered by the cold than the heat. I'm in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. It has not yet gotten cold enough for a winter coat, but my Whalen sure feels cold. So, I just put on my leather driving gloves. It does warm up as the interior warms up. I was never bothered by it getting too hot.

Good luck, I think you'll like the different feeling in shifting.

BTW, I'm 5'3".

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I'm the boss, not you!
Get over here!
Gimme a kiss!

I have a Whalen knob in my Mini also; eventhough we manufacture and sell our own line of shiftknobs.

A customer brought a Whalens by the shop and I fell in love!!

I had to have!

I Called Whalens and payed 150 bucks for it too since we do not sell them and have the ability to buy them wholesale.

I thought my wife was going to kill me but she thought it was cool???

Think of it as a fine watch for your Mini and enjoy you Whalens knob; you only live once and its only money

:wink:

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Support Your Friendly Neighborhood Mini Parts Vendor

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I have had my MCS for over a year and have only two mods: a shortie atenia (spell?) and my Whalen shift knob!!! I don't waste money and I really was uncertain about the knob... but I love it!!! You will too.

God speed.

Thanks guys! :smile: I feel very, very, very good now!

So good, in fact, that I sculpted my future shift knowb out of soft butter this morning...

:grin: :lol: :lol:

I have one as well :smile:
It's terrific and I was lucky enough to get it during a group buy for $135 :wink:

Peace,
D

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I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it. http://members.roadfly.com/dminiero/tenzo3.jpghttp://members.roadfly.com/dminiero/...iero-small.jpghttp://members.roadfly.com/dminiero/Dennis.jpg

A metal knob that will turn into what feels like a block of ice in the winter, is FAR better than the choice BMW made for the '05, which was to replace the metal chrome parts with plastic. I wish I had asked my MA if I could have swapped out my '03 knob before I had taken this car. Can't seem to get it off either, so I am stuck with it. Anyway, don't hesitate to go for the visceral feel of a cold/hot knob--- at least you will feel ALIVE, unlike the new, plastic one!

I want a new knob, but can't justify the $130+ price tag on the whalen..
I loved my Sola knob on my miata and it cost me less than $50.
Rspeed!! can Sola make a knob for Mini?!?

Anyone know if the knobs are interchangeable--will the '03 knob fit the '05?

Love my Whalen...

It does turn into an ice cube in the winter...I just try not to put my tongue on it...

We'll see about the summer heat

I love my Whalen. It sat on my desk for 3 months before I took delivery, and before I even started it up for the first time, I installed it right at the dealer.

The original knob now sits on my desk...

You won't be sorry.

The Whalen is not just a piece of fine mechanics, it's Art.

Doug did a custom design for me and the graphics are perfect as well.

But the main thing about it is how it shifts - amazing how such a simple thing can change the driving experience !

:thumbsup:

I too have a Whalen and love it. I can't say about the shift distance as I put an ALTA SS on at the same time. Doug was very cool about making the knob to fit the ALTA (threaded stick) and it was even cheaper cause the threading is easier than the quick release.

Plus, to top it all off, Doug was great to deal with. He replied to all of my e-mails very quickly and was patient when I changed the engraving a couple of times.

You won't be sorry.

Oooh, cozy!
 

Here's a custom shift knob cozy that my wife knitted especially for the Whalen while were were having lunch during a recent ride...

4th to 5th shift? Just rev up 4th higher and shift directly to 6th and skip 5th.:grin:

a) make it better. Yes.

If not then add a helix13.com short shift kit which keeps the stock knob height but assists the feel of the shift in a positive way. It costs less too.
When ordering specify which year MINI you have.

As for too hot a knob in the summer? Just cover it for $9.95
http://www.austads.com/austads/asset...BKNJOJCIAD.jpg
Golf Putter covers!:grin:

minihune: very funny idea with the golf club covers!


I have to say that when I first heard about and even saw the Whalen knobs I thought that it was absolutely insane to pay $150 for a stinking shifter knob.

But today, if you asked to take it from me I would tell you that you would have to pry it from my cold dead hands first (or hot hands if it is the summer!:lol: )

It is easily one of the very best mods one can do that takes zero mechanical skill and adds to the enjoyment of driving a MINI :grin:

How difficult is it really to get the stock knob off...I'm not a weakling, but have heard it takes brute force and you shouldn't have your noggin anywhere near it's trajectory when you pull it off:eek:...is it really that tough to take off?

Love the putter covers by the way...it's funny, but a damn good idea at the same time...GENIUS!!!!:thumbsup:

Dave.

I wouldn't suggest having your face directly over the shifter when you try to remove the knob. Mine took a fair amount of force, but not that bad. Just pull up as hard as you can and keep your face out of the way :lol:

Mine came off easy when I did it today. I didn't upgrade the shift knob tho. I'll keep an eye out for a sale on the Whalen. If all you say it's good then it must be.

Brad