Just received the Mazda illuminated shift knob yesterday form the second group-buy and installed it last night... Easy install and it looks really cool!

Here are a few pics...

One more...

You can't stop spending money can you? :D

Last one...

Budgeted all of this stuff when I decided to get the RX8, wanted to option it out to suit me better. It's still way less expensive then my last ride and way better...

Besides it only money...

Originally posted by cortc

Besides it only money...

Bling bling!

I'd like to know where you grow them. :p

Nice, Cort. Just got mine yesterday too. It'll probably go on tomorrow. :D

wow i want!

looks awesome, now i want one. i have to say that after my parents 92 m5 ive been smitten w/the illuminated knob!

I just don't understand why they would make a piece like that and then not offer it as an option on cars in the US. Why not? Seems like free money for them with very little extra cost, given that they've already made the damned things.

jds

The instructions now come in multiple languages including English; you may eventually see them for sale here in the US as well...

Originally posted by bureau13
I just don't understand why they would make a piece like that and then not offer it as an option on cars in the US. Why not? Seems like free money for them with very little extra cost, given that they've already made the damned things.

jds

Seems logic to me also. I say blame the Marketing department and the people that participated in their market research focus groups. :mad:

Marketing is a pain most of the time at work, so I usually blame them for everything along with the slow to respond IT department.

Originally posted by Magic8
Seems logic to me also. I say blame the Marketing department and the people that participated in their market research focus groups. :mad:

Marketing is a pain most of the time at work, so I usually blame them for everything along with the slow to respond IT department.

Marketing is what sold me on this car. I was replacing my minivan and was looking for a nice mid-end car (25-35k). I looked at hundai's G35 I think, some lexus model, and the acuras, when I decided to look at what Mazda had to offer. I was looking at the 6 and picked up a brochure for the 8 (this was right before they came out), and fell in love with the 8. I had previously looked a little at the 350 but four seats was a must. Props to the people who designed the 8's brochure. I also immediately found this site and it further pumped me.

On a note more related to this thread, how easy is the install? Looks great.

Originally posted by red_rx8_red_int
I looked at hundai's G35 I think

LMFAOL :D

Anyone have the Mazdaspeed shift knob? I'm thinking of ordering it, but not sure if its a good buy.

What is the cost of the illuminated shift knob? Is it available directly from Mazda?

What is involved in the install?

LOOKS AWESOME!

looks awesome in the dark

Originally posted by flipstream
Anyone have the Mazdaspeed shift knob? I'm thinking of ordering it, but not sure if its a good buy.

it might just be me, but the stock knob is almost perfect. not only is the rotor shape cool, but it fits almost perfectly in my hand. the ms one looks too small and skinny

Cortc.. you are my idol :o

That knob looks amazing.

And yes, its only money. You live once.

Monte
www.surreal-media.com

Received my illuminated shift knob last night and installed it today. 2 pictures to follow; I wish they would come out better but suffice it to say I am incredibly pleased!!

This is the thread where I found out about the group buy: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21266&highlight=illuminated+shift I've never so much as changed a spark plug in a car - honest. And this really was a decently simple installation; I just took my time. :)

Finally got around to installing mine today. I'll spare you the pics as they look just like the other black ones that have been posted. But I do have one comment:

DANG, this thing is BRIGHT. Hope it won't be too distracting at night! Any of you who have had these installed for a while now care to comment if it is or is not?

You get used to it, then it just blends in...

Woh, you're fast on the trigger Cort. Thanks for the reassurances! :D

putting mine in today ;0

Omi: I thought the same thing you did when I first saw it, for the first few days I kept looking at it (very cool) then like I said before it just blends in...

Mine isn't working anymore :( I noticed the knob would turn oh so slightly toward me if I had a solid grip on it during a fast shift or something? Well now it's not illuminating :(

you must have a loose connection

There is a design flaw in these in that the wires they use are solid single core... If there is a sharp bend in them that is flexed repeat ably the wires fatigue and snap... Need to make sure you are not stressing the wires... If yours is not working then this is what happened, need to take it out and find the break then solder back together insulate and install again...

I was about to get in on these after seeing those pics, but I sure as heck dont want to be dealing with having to solder at any point in the future due to a design flaw...
Thanks for the heads up, cortc.

Okay. I checked every connection; unplugged & replugged. I checked the fuse. Everything works from under the push-in lighter working back, until I get to the plug that connects the actual shifter knob. I can't see anything wrong with that connection but can verify everything prior to that lights up and works as normal. I can't see any frayed wired going into the untuck of the knob itself. I took pics to show that everything is lit except the knob but I can't get the danged pictures to load to my puter so I can post them. Dammit I can't see anything wrong and I'm flustered that it's not working :(

The break is in the wire you can not see it because of the insulation, take an electrical meter and a couple of pins and penetrate the insulation to check for continuity. Keep checking up along the length of the wire (BOTH OF THEM...) and you will find the break...

Put mine in last week -- No problems. It works fine. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS!

Also, it is a Mazda part, and therefore comes with a warranty...

Originally posted by Omicron
Also, it is a Mazda part, and therefore comes with a warranty...

That's good to know. I'm still frustrated. I dont' have an electic meter or anything to solder wires together. It was working fine at first; now it doesn't.

What is the going cost on the illuminated shifter? I saw a GB in the past, but I guess that isn't available anymore....

They usually go for about U$225.00...

Where can I get one of these shift knobs? I remember seeing it on a website on the net, but I can't seem to find it again.

Thanks

www.japanparts.com

Even if you install perfectly it will evnetually fail, this is a JDM part and would have to be serviced in Japan... When it does break, replace the wires with some 22 AWG multistrand copper wire and enjoy... Make sure to do a nice job with solder and heat shrink tubing...:)

These guys have them for 183.00...

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26843

looks nice

CortC - would you be willing to work on mine if I shipped it to you? I'd pay you for your time; sounds like you know what you're doing here. I'm the Knob with the non-illuminating shift knob :( Feel free to PM me if that would be more appropriate. Thx!

Originally posted by cortc
Even if you install perfectly it will evnetually fail, this is a JDM part and would have to be serviced in Japan... When it does break, replace the wires with some 22 AWG multistrand copper wire and enjoy... Make sure to do a nice job with solder and heat shrink tubing...:)

I will do it for you no charge, it only takes about 35 minutes, PM me and we can discuss...

it works fine.. Got mine at Trussvill Mazda..

Do not over tighten it or try to turn it with the wires connected.. it will berak the wires.. If you follow the install sheet you will be very happy with your knob .

It has nothing to do with turning the knob with the wires, it has to do with the wires bending as you shift gears. Eventually at one of the spots were there is a bend it will break; it is only a matter of time... Some may last a year others will break within a few weeks even if installed to the letter...

DOES IT GET HOT AND HOW BRIGHT IS IT.

It's brighter than the red backlighting you're accustomed to with the headlights on. Does it get warm? Just a smidge. The metal is shiny chrome as opposed to the brushed chrome used elsewhere through out the interior. But then the Mazda emblem on the steering wheel is shiny too, so it goes great. I love having the color coordinated shifter of chaparral & black instead of just black. I wouldn't change out the parking break tho - my 2 cents.

Can't you just rewire the shift knob with some stranded wire and quick disconnects? From the picture I saw it didn't look like there was anything going on in the tube. You could cut the connectors and rewire the whole thing...

How does it feel like cortc and omicorn... does it feel the same as the stock one?

Feels the same, it's just really cool...

Any potential to electicute yourself?:D

... I guess A$400 is ok but money can be spent elsewhere.

I hope they have a rotary start button incoperated into the stick like it is in the Merc SLR ... won't that be fun.

i had to succomb to the mazdaspeed shift knob... no lights, but cool nevertheless... another group buy maybe? then i can sell my mazdaspeed one.. hehe ;)

i had to succomb to the mazdaspeed shift knob... no lights, but cool nevertheless... another group buy maybe? then i can sell my mazdaspeed one.. hehe ;)

*** edit ***

WOA! What the??? I posted that... that's weird

You can get it now in the states for about 200.00...

Trussville Mazda has them for $183

There you go...

to ship it here it'd cost quite abit :(

It's a small box, why would it cost more than U$25.00?

i don't understand sheet 6 and 7 on the instrution, are those steps necessary? i didn't follow those picture from sheet 6 and 7. I just replace it with the old material. and not even taped, also i didn't tighten the cable that suppose to be tighten with the ashtray cable. it only takes me 45 mins for the entire insatllation and man this shit rocks! I also bend the entire wire to test to see if it'll brake or not, and it's FINE!

have anyone found a way that the old shift boot can be use on this knob? the click one doesn't feel good when i hold the knob, especially my last finger.....but if i turn it , then it'll look wire.

Follow the directions...

I had a PM exchange with cortc on this and then thought that others might want to know this as well so I'll add it here: the illumination is static. It goes on and off with the dash lights. It doesn't change in any way to indicate what gear you're in.

Ok, I installed mine and it is also no longer working. I'm guessing it's the same issue that everyone else has noticed on here. Since it's a Mazda part, you guys think there's any chance that the dealer will fix it under warranty? I'm not very skilled with electrical wiring....just wondering.

-Brad

It is not a NA part, you may have a problem?

Now you guys got me worried. I'm bidding for the led shift knob on ebay now, but if it's in doubt that I will have problems soon, i might have to rethink my bid.

i actually bought the MS shift knob in japan at a mazda dealer. i really like it! it feels so good in your hand and the material feels nice against your palm. I've had it for about 2 months now and i love it.

It is a good part and if the wire does break it can be fixed...

I positively love having my illuminated shift knob. I did have problems less than a week after installation. After having the wires fixed it's been a DREAM. I'm very pleased with it even with the initial problem. If you can find someone to fix the break and reinforce the wiring, you're golden and you'll really enjoy having it in your 8 :cool:

I've had 4 of them on my car, all replaced under warranty until a few months back when the 4th one didn't even work out of the box. Dealer fitted, and replaced each time.

Now Mazda have asked them to re-fit standard leather knob until they release a re-design. They asked my dealer to check if I'd be a guinea pig when they get the re-design to verify that it has resolved the issue.

I think they are planning on making the inside of the gearstick a contact point and remove the need for the wire to be attached to the removable part of the gearstick, so no matter how far round / twisted the knob is it will always be touching the contact plate.

Hopefully the 6th knob fiitted will therefore be the one to fix the problem.

I did ask if I could just have a replacement, and if it failed I'd fix it myself, but they requested I be patient.

I've been 6 months without illumintaion now, so a few more won't hurt I guess!

US Owners, just put the wire/or cable all the way to the passenger side so it won't bend when you shift then it'll have no problems , i've had 2 of them already, i've tried all ways of fixing it, always broke. Now it's been 3 months and it's still shinning.

pictrues can be seen here :
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=37439