Can a shift Knob affect your shifting?

[clnilsen]

While this question posed itself from my BMW, I thought it would apply to my 911sc (never known as a greatest shifting car) as well.

Here's the situation: I got a (new to me) 3-series BMW manual, and needed to get the shift knob replaced. It was a wooden deal that had cracked, and since I like the black leather look, I went that route instead.

Now I've always thought Shift knobs were basically Eye candy - as long as you can hold it and move it, it works.

BUT, it seems that since i've changed knobs, my shifting is MUCH smoother. Now I've driven Manuals (Mustangs, vettes, and assorted other cars) for years, so I don't think it's a learning curve thing.

I wondered - could I be sabotaging myself in my SC with the wrong knob, or is it all in my head?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Chuck

[Milu]

I changed to a Momo knob because I thought it looked a lot better than the standard and very ordinary knob. My G50 was like new. Result: major improvement in feel and shifting! In part I think it's down to a more ergonomic shape and in part being oversized its become easier to reach. What ever the reason,(even if it's psychosomatic), it's still one of the most satisfactory upgrades I've done.

[yelcab1]

It's all in my head.

My porsche has a wood momo knob
my BMW has a leather stock knob
My ferrari has a round plastic knob,

all shift great. But it is all in the head, for me.

[toman]

I put a really nice momo leather knob in my 914 to replace my old broken stock one, and for about two weeks I couldn't figure out why my right elbow was killing me... I finally put the stock knob back on, and bam... no more elbow pain. So you might want to check out the angles before buying that super pimp new shift knob.

[expat]

I put a momo and regret it! It looks ugly and is slippery - not leather.

I'll get another soon - I'm embarrassed!