Hey all,

I am looking at replacing the shift **** in my new-to-me 2011 JCW Clubman due to the leather on the **** getting pretty worn. I found the shifter from the new F55 JCW and I really like the design with the long neck instead of the shift boot. Does anyone know if this could be installed in an R55? I imagine the base ring might be different. If not, perhaps there is an aftermarket solution that is similar?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...d/25118618524/

 

Well absent any replies and me getting antsy, I have ordered the shift **** and will see if it can be retrofit.

I am pretty hopeful as I have found that the F5X folks have had luck fitting R5X ***** into their cars so one would assume the reverse is true. I expect to run into trouble with the boot ring on the bottom though as the newer Mini's seem to have a different mounting there. Hopefully it will be as simple as transferring over the mounting ring from my old boot.

Fingers crossed.

 

I had seen your initial post, and now I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out

 

I should get the shifter from ECS Tuning early to mid next week.

I had a thought on the fitting. It is really the boot interface that is going to cause trouble. If I can't make the new boot work with the old mounting style I am going to see if Redlinegoods.com can fabricate a hybrid boot. It would have the correct height and sizing to match the F55 boot but have the base shaped and trim to fit into the R55 mounting rings. That should make it a complete plug-and-play setup!

We shall see.

 

Well I got it installed. As I expected, the boot was the problem and man was it ever!! Whoever designed the boot attachment ring on this car should be shot....repeatedly. The attachment ring is a two-piece unit with a chrome ring and a plastic ring which sandwich the end of the boot. As soon as I separated the two rings the little plastic clips that hold the two together all snapped off! That meant the two rings would not clip together to hold the new boot into place! I trimmed the new boot and cut slits to match the old one and managed to get it installed but it is a pretty big cluge. I would expect that if I had Redline fabricate a new boot it might be easier but those rings will still be fiddly. Plus, the new boot is glued to the new **** so swapping that out would be a PITA as well.

I got it installed but I would not recommend it to anyone else. :(

 

What?! No pictures!?!?

 

Lol! Fair point. Here are a few. It does look pretty sharp.

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I like it!

 

I need to pull it out again and better secure the boot to the base ring. I am going to bust out the superglue to get the whole assembly better secured now that I know it will work out.

 

Nice job, Looks like it sets much higher then the stock one.

 

Thanks. I actually ordered the new **** from your site.

I think that is an optical illusion. It sits at basically the exact same height as the original **** if not a little lower actually. The **** and shaft (man the innuendo is huge here) fit perfectly on the shift lever and seated just like the stock one did. It was almost plug-and-play except for the boot ring but I think I have the pretty well sorted out now.

 

Welcome and thanks for the support. Yes it does. must just be because of that long neck.