I've been away from MINI for about 4 years, but I'm thrilled to say that I'm finally back - this time in a Countryman! I was a bit surprised that I haven't seen much talk or pictures of what was one of my favorite MINI mods - the Whalen Shift Machine. So I thought I'd start an Official Whalen Shift Machine Thread for Countryman Owners.

Here is my Whalen **** - I'm calling it JCW red because it matches the JCW Design Package I'll try to take some better photo's, but I'm absolutely loving it and had to share.

Let's see yours!

 

liveSTRONG,

Thanks for posting, never heard of Whalen, looking around their site, if I was to change mine out I would go with on of the following:



However at this point I think I still like the OEM ****, but I'll bookmark the site in my MINI folder bookmark folder.

 

I'm using my old one from my R53. Cravenspeed sent me an adapter when I ordered my short shifter to make it fit. I love it. I think the stock **** is a plasticky POS.

Here's a shot from the short shifter install. The top looks like the first one worrynot posted.

 

I don't even have my car yet, but I've already contacted Doug about an idea I had to see if it could be done!

 

Too funny - I ordered mine from him before I got my CM, too! Now I really wish I had saved my 8 ball and custom LIVESTRONG Whalen ***** from my MC!

 

I got my Whalen shift **** as a gift and didn't get to pick the design, but this is my favorite of the ones I've seen over the years. I guess having the shift pattern is nice whenever someone else drives my car, but it's kind of bland.

 

Anyone try their e-brake handle in the countryman?

 

Already ordered my Whalen. I so wish my 1st Gen Whalen **** would fit. Best **** out there.

 

I thought the first gen ***** did fit? Which one did you order? Post up some pics when you get it!

 

I got a custom Whalen **** on my CMS!

 

These are cool, I'm thinking of an idea for one...can you guys that have them show maybe with some pictures what it looks like from above? What I mean is, it looks like in most of these pics that there is just a stick coming out of the big round base, what does it look like in there? And is it possible to keep the "leather" thing that covers the stick of the original shifter? Oh, and do they get hot??? Thanks a bunch!

 

To the above question "do they get hot " the answer would be scalding during the summer and like ice during the winter. Really other than that the shifters are quality pcs. of artwork.

 

It's easy enough to pull out and stuff it in your pocket...

 

I snapped a quick of it installed. It's dark in my garage so I had to use the flash, but it should give you an idea...

Also - I hear it can get hot in the Texas heat, so I bought this shift **** cover for when I have to park outside.

 

I love it, Fireproof! You must have ordered it before you even got your CM

 

I use a sun shade in the summer, so I've never really had a problem with it getting hot, but I will say it gets dang cold in the winter. Wearing gloves helps, but it takes a long time for the **** to warm up.

 

Thanks man. I did order it early and had it sitting on my desk for a couple weeks waiting on the car. LOL.

 

I use one of these for my whalen to protect me from hot or cold days: http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9720G/B

Apple iPod socks. I bought a 3 pack years ago and had one just lying around. It fit perfectly.

 

So funny! I have some of these sitting around too, and I was just wondering if they would work today! Great minds think alike!

 

Mine looks like that because of the adjustable short shifter I installed. The adjustment point is low on the shifter, so I just bunched up the shift gaiter below the adjustment point. If you only swap out the ****, you can keep the stock gaiter. Here's a shot from above:

 

BTW, I didn't reply to this. Here is a reply to the question from Doug Whalen:

Quote:
Originally Posted by -=gRay rAvEn=-
Hey Doug, Does your WSM **** designed for a 1st Gen fit a 2nd Gen MINI and visa-versa?

PS: Maybe your Webmaster has the Y2K Bug ?

1st and 2nd gen shift ***** (stock or mine) are not compatible, because of the dimensional change to the shift lever for 2007.

A 1st gen **** will not slide down far enough to lock on to a 2nd gen shift lever, so it will not stay on.
A 2nd gen **** will lock on to a 1st gen lever; but the anti-rotation pin inside the **** will not fit down into the slot at the top of the lever, and the **** will spin.

 

Got mine two days ago. it's great. Really like the solid feel. It has been in the 90's during the day in Atlanta but the **** has not been unbearable to hold.I used two zip ties on the bottom side of the shift boot cover to have it snugged up against the shift ****. It is smaller than the stock shift **** but love the solid feel of it.

 

Been doing some research on these ***** and read somewhere that the extra weight from the whalen **** might not be good for the shift mechanism (akin to resting your hand on the shifter, a no-no). Anyone care to "weigh in" on this...?

Bad puns aside, I would seriously like to know...

 

Well done! Any other Whalen owners out there that are rocking the billiard ball shift **** from Whalen?

 

Just got mine in!! But am having trouble taking the **** off the leather boot (took off the trim, **** off lever etc.). Those white tabs don't seem to give much.

Any tips please?