Alcantara Gear Knob
Discussion
Evening all,
I'm seriously considering swapping my DBS gear knob for an alacantara version and wondered if anyone had any experience of this? Tony H has suggested I just get my existing stick upholstered but I'm finding the DBS knob a little too high when compared to the armrest and am finding the manual shifting a bit awkward. Short of having some sort of surgery and removing some bone/muscle, I think it may be easier to get a smaller knob (insert joke here). My steering wheel is grey alcantara and it would be a nice touch to have them matched up. I've obviously googled it and a few have cropped up, one on AMBits, but sadly it was an out of date listing.
Anybody done this and if so any recommendations on type of knob and or company that applies the material?
I can't be the first to do this, after all, KF has completely reupholstered most of the cars he's ever owned!
Thanks in advance, hope all are well.
I'm seriously considering swapping my DBS gear knob for an alacantara version and wondered if anyone had any experience of this? Tony H has suggested I just get my existing stick upholstered but I'm finding the DBS knob a little too high when compared to the armrest and am finding the manual shifting a bit awkward. Short of having some sort of surgery and removing some bone/muscle, I think it may be easier to get a smaller knob (insert joke here). My steering wheel is grey alcantara and it would be a nice touch to have them matched up. I've obviously googled it and a few have cropped up, one on AMBits, but sadly it was an out of date listing.
Anybody done this and if so any recommendations on type of knob and or company that applies the material?
I can't be the first to do this, after all, KF has completely reupholstered most of the cars he's ever owned!
Thanks in advance, hope all are well.
The official one is about £360, but if you ask your dealer's parts dept they may be able to give you some discount. I'm sure you could sell the DBS/V12V knob on here for more! If you do get one made by a third party be sure to ask for the Obsidian Black Alcantara as that is the colour AM use on the steering wheel - not to be confused with Pure Black Alcantara now offered and fitted to the V12VS Sport Pack as this colour is more black than obsidian.
The DBS/V12V knob sure looks lovely, but it is a bit long as you say and it can be VERY cold to have to hold in the winter mornings. I recall that somebody (was it LadyTopaz?) used to put a sock over it to keep their hands warm! On and it can also get scratched fairly easily by rings or metal watch bracelets/buckles unless you are careful.
The DBS/V12V knob sure looks lovely, but it is a bit long as you say and it can be VERY cold to have to hold in the winter mornings. I recall that somebody (was it LadyTopaz?) used to put a sock over it to keep their hands warm! On and it can also get scratched fairly easily by rings or metal watch bracelets/buckles unless you are careful.
AdamV12V said:
The official one is about £360, but if you ask your dealer's parts dept they may be able to give you some discount. I'm sure you could sell the DBS/V12V knob on here for more! If you do get one made by a third party be sure to ask for the Obsidian Black Alcantara as that is the colour AM use on the steering wheel - not to be confused with Pure Black Alcantara now offered and fitted to the V12VS Sport Pack as this colour is more black than obsidian.
The DBS/V12V knob sure looks lovely, but it is a bit long as you say and it can be VERY cold to have to hold in the winter mornings. I recall that somebody (was it LadyTopaz?) used to put a sock over it to keep their hands warm! On and it can also get scratched fairly easily by rings or metal watch bracelets/buckles unless you are careful.
I hate that knob its no where near as special as the DBS ,V12V knob imo. sorry.The DBS/V12V knob sure looks lovely, but it is a bit long as you say and it can be VERY cold to have to hold in the winter mornings. I recall that somebody (was it LadyTopaz?) used to put a sock over it to keep their hands warm! On and it can also get scratched fairly easily by rings or metal watch bracelets/buckles unless you are careful.
Hi all, was looking at this option my self for my v8,but after talking to the technical buffs at my local dealership who have changed these over for other clients have said they don't wear well.
Also you have to take out the center console to remove and refit the new one. Fitting costs were off to be about £150.
However do look and feel good..
Also you have to take out the center console to remove and refit the new one. Fitting costs were off to be about £150.
However do look and feel good..
tonyhall38 said:
Did you not get my last e mail....
Hi Tony, I did, of course but was just investigating if anyone had a ready made fix. I'd be looking to keep the original knob as if I ever do sell (unlikely but I do like the Vanquish), then I'd like to return to original. I had a DBS knob in my V8V which offered a much more natural throw to the gearbox but in the DBS, it just feels a little awkward which I can only guess is the relative height of the knob versus the armrest. I don't worry about hot/cold as its in the garage but I'll admit, they are very easily trashed by a wedding ring. Tony, do you know of any decent upholsterers that could get the fabric and fit it to the standard we'd require?
V8V Pete said:
Hey Bins - if you don't get anywhere with this then I'm sure I can arrange the bone/muscle removal you're after. You never know, we may even be able to do some kind of transplant to deal with the small knob issue 
Pete, you are one of life's givers, that's a very kind offer but I'll pass on the surgery. I don't think there's anything you can do to help with my knob saga.......Had mine done (along with the wheel and centre armrest) when I bought the car, always loved it! It has worn fine, although I only do about 5,000 miles per year. I thoroughly recommend a mix of the standard alcantara and the perforated one.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Not quite on topic but for anyone with an alcantara wheel not looking its best I have just cleaned mine and it has transformed it. Bucket of warm water with a few drops of washing machine liquid in. Use a rough towel/flannel and use it like you would if you were drying your back with a towel. Rinse with warm water using the same process and your wheel will look like new.
Bincenzo said:
Anybody done this and if so any recommendations on type of knob and or company that applies the material?
I can't be the first to do this, after all, KF has completely reupholstered most of the cars he's ever owned!
Thanks in advance, hope all are well.
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