MINI2

Andy@Ross-Tech.com · Jan 13th, 2003, 07:00 PM

I just opened a very small, very heavy cardboard box containing my shiny new Whalen Shift Knob for my MCS. Holy crap, this thing is nice! I got the brushed finish with engraved shift pattern. I yanked the old knob off (making clear to keep my head out of its trajectory). Here's a couple pics of the stocker and the Whalen knob:

The scale shows the stock knob as a wimpy 185g while the Whalen knob weighs in at a whopping 505g! There's something very special about holding a small, heavy object like this - reminds me of a Bang&Olufsen remote control.

I believe that any carjacker could be successfully fended off with a gentle tap in the nose from this 1 lb 2 oz cannonball.

Anyway, install is a breeze, after yanking off the old knob, slide the old knob in place and pull up on the quick release (it moves about 1/8") to clear the lip in the shift lever, let go of the quick release and it's locked into place. This is SOOOOOO much nicer than the clunky locking rings and set screws of the competitors' knobs.

I took the MINI out for a spin and noticed the shifts feel smoother, less notchy. The Whalen knob is a little smaller diameter (2" -vs- 2.25") and sits a tiny bit lower. The feel in the hand is very nice and the brushed finish is almost hypnotic (don't look at it while driving!).

Anyway, several big thumbs up for Doug Whalen, the knob is perfect, well worth the price and didn't take long at all to arrive. Here's the website:

http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com

Doug W. · Jan 13th, 2003, 07:15 PM

Hey, I kinda like the way the numbers on the stock knob are arranged on a radius.

Wonder if I should try that? Think it would go over??

BTW, thanks for the great review. Enjoy!!

MiniG · Jan 13th, 2003, 07:25 PM

Doug,

If you haven't done mine yet, I'll be the guinea pig for the numbers on the radius, I think it looks very cool!
Having the "R" lower gives it less importance and the 3-4 are dead center, which also looks nice.
I can't wait to get mine!
Thanks!!
BCNU - G

Doug W. · Jan 13th, 2003, 07:29 PM

Sorry, my mind is shot; is this Guy?
If so, it's already on the way, mailed on Friday.

Doug

retroom · Jan 13th, 2003, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andy@Ross-Tech.com
I just opened a very small, very heavy cardboard box containing my shiny new Whalen Shift Knob for my MCS. Holy crap, this thing is nice! I got the brushed finish with engraved shift pattern. I yanked the old knob off (making clear to keep my head out of its trajectory). Here's a couple pics of the stocker and the Whalen knob:

The scale shows the stock knob as a wimpy 185g while the Whalen knob weighs in at a whopping 505g! There's something very special about holding a small, heavy object like this - reminds me of a Bang&Olufsen remote control. I believe that any carjacker could be successfully fended off with a gentle tap in the nose from this 1 lb 2 oz cannonball.

Anyway, install is a breeze, after yanking off the old knob, slide the old knob in place and pull up on the quick release (it moves about 1/8") to clear the lip in the shift lever, let go of the quick release and it's locked into place. This is SOOOOOO much nicer than the clunky locking rings and set screws of the competitors' knobs.

I took the MINI out for a spin and noticed the shifts feel smoother, less notchy. The Whalen knob is a little smaller diameter (2" -vs- 2.25") and sits a tiny bit lower. The feel in the hand is very nice and the brushed finish is almost hypnotic (don't look at it while driving!).

Anyway, several big thumbs up for Doug Whalen, the knob is perfect, well worth the price and didn't take long at all to arrive. Here's the website:

http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com

Did you pay the full price, $130.00?

retroom

Grinder · Jan 13th, 2003, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug W.
Hey, I kinda like the way the numbers on the stock knob are arranged on a radius.

Wonder if I should try that? Think it would go over??

BTW, thanks for the great review. Enjoy!!

I think both options would look great. You're right though, the arrangement of the numbers on the stock knob are kind of nice though.

Yes, Obehave...i'm reading

Quick question though. What exactly are driving gloves? Regular gloves with a different name and a higher pricetag?

Andy@Ross-Tech.com · Jan 13th, 2003, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug W.
Hey, I kinda like the way the numbers on the stock knob are arranged on a radius.

Wonder if I should try that? Think it would go over??

BTW, thanks for the great review. Enjoy!!

Doug, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. If you want to play with some variations for future products, the layout of the stock pattern is cool, as are the squared-off letters (not sure what font they are).

BTW, in case anyone is concerned about the knob's weight, by my calculations it adds less than 0.03% to the overall weight of the vehicle, an amount that could be easily shed by only eating ONE, rather than TWO Whoppers from Burger King.

Another concern may be the weight of the knob affecting the longevity of the transmission. Since the MINI uses a cable shifter, downward force does not affect the gear alingment, only force in the horizontal plane. I guesstimate that the maximum angle off vertical is 15% for the MINI shift rod. By my calculations, this applies a net force of a weight that is sin(15)*(505g-185g) = 82 g. I think the grease inside the shifter can do the same thing when it gets dirty.

retroom,

I got it for the introductory price of $105 (not sure if that is still going on).

Doug W. · Jan 13th, 2003, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by obehave
I'll send mine back and let you experiment on it??? Hint Hint

Kidding aside I like the radiused layout of the OEM knob.

I have a few boogered-up (how's that for a technical term?) knobs lying around, and I'll experiment a bit with them, and see how it goes.

Keep in touch, though. I always offer to exchange knobs with prior customers, if they decide they'd rather have a different finish, etc.

Doug

ghost · Jan 13th, 2003, 08:08 PM

Nice knob and all, but, the MINI knob is about an inch to large, so 1/4" doesn't do me well. I would like an identical knob, but for it to be about 1.4-1.5" diameter, any knowledge of such?

Doug W. · Jan 13th, 2003, 08:17 PM

I'll make you one, if you wish; no problem.

ghost · Jan 13th, 2003, 08:47 PM

How much for stainless? Can you use titanium?

Doug W. · Jan 13th, 2003, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ghost
How much for stainless? Can you use titanium?

If I could get my hands on a titanium sphere in that diameter, I could do titanium.
Otherwise, the normal price for my knob, in stainless, is $130.00 without engraving, but I'm still going with the group buy price, on this board, of $85.00 + $20.00 for engraving.

I'd do yours for that same price. I'd have to find a 1.500" diameter stainless ball, but that shouldn't be a problem.

GregF · Jan 14th, 2003, 03:44 AM

Doug,
I want one, too, but can't decide on brushed or polished. I'm leaning towards polished. What's the time limit on your group purchase?
I'm curious. Which is your top seller, polished or satin finish?

uae mini · Jan 14th, 2003, 11:29 AM

hi Doug!!
would love to order mine now, i'm ready, but just show me how your experiment goes. i would love to see the 3&4 in the centre and the numbers smaller as the OEM

i want to order it now.... MCS is going to be ready on Monday... hurry plz

Doug W. · Jan 14th, 2003, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GregF
Doug,
I want one, too, but can't decide on brushed or polished. I'm leaning towards polished. What's the time limit on your group purchase?
I'm curious. Which is your top seller, polished or satin finish?

Well, the polished has always been a bigger seller for Z3's and other BMW models, but the Mini owners are going much more for the brushed finish.

For a sneak preview of my new site, and pictures of both finishes, check out www.comprehensive-computing.com/whalen/home.htm.

As for the time limit, I haven't really set an ending date yet, mainly because I've been so swamped with other work, and I've gotten a bit behind on the shift knob orders.

Probably another week or so.

minhi · Jan 14th, 2003, 01:55 PM

hmm if doug can rework the engraving of the shift pattern, i might go for one.

hoping for some pics if possible.

Doug W. · Jan 14th, 2003, 02:49 PM

Oops!

Thanks for the "heads-up"!

I'm probably the least computer-literate person in the free world. Good toolmaker, lousy computer guy.

Andy@Ross-Tech.com · Jan 14th, 2003, 03:49 PM

Doug,

The new site looks great, two comments:

1) Some MINI owners get their panties twisted if you call it "Mini" rather than "MINI", so you might as well avoid any twisted-panty incidents.

2) The knob height isn't 1" lower in a MINI. Maybe 1/4", but I haven't measured it.

BTW, the knob wasn't THAT cold this morning, but I wouldn't want to stick my tongue to it.

TurnStyle_K12 · Jan 14th, 2003, 04:22 PM

Looks great and I am very interested. How does one go about getting the group rate?

Thanks

Doug W. · Jan 14th, 2003, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TurnStyle_K12
Looks great and I am very interested. How does one go about getting the group rate?

Thanks

E-mail me for info. whamac@msn.com

Thanks

Doug

Jan 13th, 2003, 07:00 PM	#1
Andy@Ross-Tech.com MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lansdale, PA Local Time: 04:03 AM Posts: 1,338 Offline	Whalen Shift Knob / Personal Protection Device I just opened a very small, very heavy cardboard box containing my shiny new Whalen Shift Knob for my MCS. Holy crap, this thing is nice! I got the brushed finish with engraved shift pattern. I yanked the old knob off (making clear to keep my head out of its trajectory). Here's a couple pics of the stocker and the Whalen knob: The scale shows the stock knob as a wimpy 185g while the Whalen knob weighs in at a whopping 505g! There's something very special about holding a small, heavy object like this - reminds me of a Bang&Olufsen remote control. I believe that any carjacker could be successfully fended off with a gentle tap in the nose from this 1 lb 2 oz cannonball. Anyway, install is a breeze, after yanking off the old knob, slide the old knob in place and pull up on the quick release (it moves about 1/8") to clear the lip in the shift lever, let go of the quick release and it's locked into place. This is SOOOOOO much nicer than the clunky locking rings and set screws of the competitors' knobs. I took the MINI out for a spin and noticed the shifts feel smoother, less notchy. The Whalen knob is a little smaller diameter (2" -vs- 2.25") and sits a tiny bit lower. The feel in the hand is very nice and the brushed finish is almost hypnotic (don't look at it while driving!). Anyway, several big thumbs up for Doug Whalen, the knob is perfect, well worth the price and didn't take long at all to arrive. Here's the website: http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com '03 MCS The Unofficial MINI 1/4 Mile Dragracing Database

Jan 13th, 2003, 07:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
MiniG Proud MINI2 Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern California Local Time: 01:03 AM Posts: 384 Offline	Numbers on a radius Doug, If you haven't done mine yet, I'll be the guinea pig for the numbers on the radius, I think it looks very cool! Having the "R" lower gives it less importance and the 3-4 are dead center, which also looks nice. I can't wait to get mine! Thanks!! BCNU - G

Jan 13th, 2003, 07:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
retroom MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sunnyvale, Ca. Local Time: 01:03 AM Posts: 559 Offline	Re: Whalen Shift Knob / Personal Protection Device Quote: Originally posted by Andy@Ross-Tech.com I just opened a very small, very heavy cardboard box containing my shiny new Whalen Shift Knob for my MCS. Holy crap, this thing is nice! I got the brushed finish with engraved shift pattern. I yanked the old knob off (making clear to keep my head out of its trajectory). Here's a couple pics of the stocker and the Whalen knob: The scale shows the stock knob as a wimpy 185g while the Whalen knob weighs in at a whopping 505g! There's something very special about holding a small, heavy object like this - reminds me of a Bang&Olufsen remote control. I believe that any carjacker could be successfully fended off with a gentle tap in the nose from this 1 lb 2 oz cannonball. Anyway, install is a breeze, after yanking off the old knob, slide the old knob in place and pull up on the quick release (it moves about 1/8") to clear the lip in the shift lever, let go of the quick release and it's locked into place. This is SOOOOOO much nicer than the clunky locking rings and set screws of the competitors' knobs. I took the MINI out for a spin and noticed the shifts feel smoother, less notchy. The Whalen knob is a little smaller diameter (2" -vs- 2.25") and sits a tiny bit lower. The feel in the hand is very nice and the brushed finish is almost hypnotic (don't look at it while driving!). Anyway, several big thumbs up for Doug Whalen, the knob is perfect, well worth the price and didn't take long at all to arrive. Here's the website: http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com Did you pay the full price, $130.00? retroom 2003 MC,LY/W, sport package, wht wheels, cruise, chrome, Kaleido cloth/black, OB computer

Jan 13th, 2003, 07:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Grinder Addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Northern VA. Local Time: 04:03 AM Posts: 1,118 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Doug W. Hey, I kinda like the way the numbers on the stock knob are arranged on a radius. Wonder if I should try that? Think it would go over?? BTW, thanks for the great review. Enjoy!! I think both options would look great. You're right though, the arrangement of the numbers on the stock knob are kind of nice though. Yes, Obehave...i'm reading Quick question though. What exactly are driving gloves? Regular gloves with a different name and a higher pricetag? Whatever.

Jan 13th, 2003, 07:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
Andy@Ross-Tech.com MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lansdale, PA Local Time: 04:03 AM Posts: 1,338 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by Doug W. Hey, I kinda like the way the numbers on the stock knob are arranged on a radius. Wonder if I should try that? Think it would go over?? BTW, thanks for the great review. Enjoy!! Doug, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. If you want to play with some variations for future products, the layout of the stock pattern is cool, as are the squared-off letters (not sure what font they are). BTW, in case anyone is concerned about the knob's weight, by my calculations it adds less than 0.03% to the overall weight of the vehicle, an amount that could be easily shed by only eating ONE, rather than TWO Whoppers from Burger King. Another concern may be the weight of the knob affecting the longevity of the transmission. Since the MINI uses a cable shifter, downward force does not affect the gear alingment, only force in the horizontal plane. I guesstimate that the maximum angle off vertical is 15% for the MINI shift rod. By my calculations, this applies a net force of a weight that is sin(15)*(505g-185g) = 82 g. I think the grease inside the shifter can do the same thing when it gets dirty. retroom, I got it for the introductory price of $105 (not sure if that is still going on). '03 MCS The Unofficial MINI 1/4 Mile Dragracing Database

MINI2

Fuel for your MINI obsession

Group Buys

Special Offers

Today
Sponsors	Sponsored Links Registered members do not see Google Ads posts, they can also post messages, pictures, and classified adverts. Register your free account today and become a member of MINI2 - MINI Forum

Jan 13th, 2003, 07:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
Doug W. MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Freeport, IL Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 507 Offline	Hey, I kinda like the way the numbers on the stock knob are arranged on a radius. Wonder if I should try that? Think it would go over?? BTW, thanks for the great review. Enjoy!!

Jan 13th, 2003, 07:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Doug W. MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Freeport, IL Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 507 Offline	Sorry, my mind is shot; is this Guy? If so, it's already on the way, mailed on Friday. Doug

Jan 13th, 2003, 08:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
Doug W. MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Freeport, IL Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 507 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by obehave I'll send mine back and let you experiment on it??? Hint Hint Kidding aside I like the radiused layout of the OEM knob. I have a few boogered-up (how's that for a technical term?) knobs lying around, and I'll experiment a bit with them, and see how it goes. Keep in touch, though. I always offer to exchange knobs with prior customers, if they decide they'd rather have a different finish, etc. Doug

Jan 13th, 2003, 08:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
ghost Hooters Man Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 165 Offline	Nice knob and all, but, the MINI knob is about an inch to large, so 1/4" doesn't do me well. I would like an identical knob, but for it to be about 1.4-1.5" diameter, any knowledge of such?

Jan 13th, 2003, 08:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Doug W. MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Freeport, IL Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 507 Offline	I'll make you one, if you wish; no problem.

Jan 13th, 2003, 08:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
ghost Hooters Man Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 165 Offline	How much for stainless? Can you use titanium?

Jan 13th, 2003, 09:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
Doug W. MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Freeport, IL Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 507 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by ghost How much for stainless? Can you use titanium? If I could get my hands on a titanium sphere in that diameter, I could do titanium. Otherwise, the normal price for my knob, in stainless, is $130.00 without engraving, but I'm still going with the group buy price, on this board, of $85.00 + $20.00 for engraving. I'd do yours for that same price. I'd have to find a 1.500" diameter stainless ball, but that shouldn't be a problem.

Jan 14th, 2003, 03:44 AM	#13 (permalink)
GregF MINI2 Senior Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Florida Local Time: 05:03 AM Posts: 511 Offline	Doug, I want one, too, but can't decide on brushed or polished. I'm leaning towards polished. What's the time limit on your group purchase? I'm curious. Which is your top seller, polished or satin finish? Last edited by GregF : Jan 14th, 2003 at 04:03 AM.

Jan 14th, 2003, 11:29 AM	#14 (permalink)
uae mini MINI2 Senior Join Date: Oct 2002 Local Time: 01:03 PM Posts: 538 Offline	hi Doug!! would love to order mine now, i'm ready, but just show me how your experiment goes. i would love to see the 3&4 in the centre and the numbers smaller as the OEM i want to order it now.... MCS is going to be ready on Monday... hurry plz Cooper S --- Lots of mods all here

Jan 14th, 2003, 01:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
Doug W. MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Freeport, IL Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 507 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by GregF Doug, I want one, too, but can't decide on brushed or polished. I'm leaning towards polished. What's the time limit on your group purchase? I'm curious. Which is your top seller, polished or satin finish? Well, the polished has always been a bigger seller for Z3's and other BMW models, but the Mini owners are going much more for the brushed finish. For a sneak preview of my new site, and pictures of both finishes, check out www.comprehensive-computing.com/whalen/home.htm. As for the time limit, I haven't really set an ending date yet, mainly because I've been so swamped with other work, and I've gotten a bit behind on the shift knob orders. Probably another week or so.

Jan 14th, 2003, 01:55 PM	#16 (permalink)
minhi MINI2 Senior Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Washington DC Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 473 Offline	hmm if doug can rework the engraving of the shift pattern, i might go for one. hoping for some pics if possible.

Jan 14th, 2003, 02:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
Doug W. MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Freeport, IL Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 507 Offline	Oops! Thanks for the "heads-up"! I'm probably the least computer-literate person in the free world. Good toolmaker, lousy computer guy.

Jan 14th, 2003, 03:49 PM	#18 (permalink)
Andy@Ross-Tech.com MINI2 Master Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lansdale, PA Local Time: 04:03 AM Posts: 1,338 Offline	Doug, The new site looks great, two comments: 1) Some MINI owners get their panties twisted if you call it "Mini" rather than "MINI", so you might as well avoid any twisted-panty incidents. 2) The knob height isn't 1" lower in a MINI. Maybe 1/4", but I haven't measured it. BTW, the knob wasn't THAT cold this morning, but I wouldn't want to stick my tongue to it. '03 MCS The Unofficial MINI 1/4 Mile Dragracing Database

Jan 14th, 2003, 04:22 PM	#19 (permalink)
TurnStyle_K12 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: San Jose, CA Local Time: 01:03 AM Posts: 15 Offline	Looks great and I am very interested. How does one go about getting the group rate? Thanks

Jan 14th, 2003, 05:27 PM	#20 (permalink)
Doug W. MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Freeport, IL Local Time: 09:03 AM Posts: 507 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by TurnStyle_K12 Looks great and I am very interested. How does one go about getting the group rate? Thanks E-mail me for info. whamac@msn.com Thanks Doug

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Whalen Shift Knob?	KenL	2nd Gen Interior & Ice	25	Jun 1st, 2007 11:29 PM
Whalen shift knob	minikai	Interior & Ice	3	Jun 2nd, 2004 08:12 PM
My first Whalen Shift Knob!!!	dinlo	Interior & Ice	7	Oct 23rd, 2003 08:40 AM
Whalen Shift Knob	silvermouse	Interior & Ice	4	Aug 3rd, 2003 11:54 AM
Whalen Shift Knob	Robert Moreau	Interior & Ice	15	Apr 18th, 2003 09:55 PM

MINI2

Fuel for your MINI obsession

Group Buys Special Offers

Group Buys

Special Offers