<center><img src="http://131.107.68.28/a4org/knobs.JPG"></center><p>Hello,
I manufacture the Billet Aluminum Exhaust Tips and am coming out with shift knobs soon.
These are CAD models of knobs I am manufacturing for the A4. They going to be manufactured from 6061 Aluminum. I should have actual prototypes and real pics soon.

Let me know what you think and also if you are interested.

Thanks,

Larry H. Bauerle
Phoenix Tool Corp.

<ul><li><a href="http://members.aol.com/phoenixtol">http://members.aol.com/phoenixtol</a</li></ul>

They all look cool, but personally I'm not crazy about hard edges on a shift knob, especially on the underside, like the ones on the left and the center. I'm also not crazy about the flat spot on the top of all of them. Of the three, I think the round one on the right would feel the best in my hand, but would feel better without the flat spot.

My ideal shift knob would be a polished aluminum round one without the flat spot, but with small Audi rings engraved on the top within a larger circle comprised of small divits, much like what you see in the middle of the sport steering wheel. I think that would give you enough tactile sensation under your palm, tie it in to other interior design elements, make it look like it came from the factory, and lastly, really look sharp. Make one like that and I'll definitely buy one.

Just my opinion.

I agree, very good suggestions!
brian 97 A4 TQMS

I like the perfectly round ones myself.
What about a golf ball knob like in the GTI's or a "light bulb" shaped knob. I've seen these in some the touring and rally cars with sequential shift.

I agree as well. Make them look like they came from the factory. I love your exhaust tips, by the way. They look great over the drab stock pipes.

shifters. I prefer there to be an edge to the shifter, easier to hold onto. Round ones IMO don't anatomically fit the hand as well as a shaped one. I'd take the middle one second.

On another note, I've been thinking about purchasing Borla's exhaust (thru APR), but I don't like the tips, I was wondering if there's anything you could do? BTW, I still use the tips you originally made.

Larry

They all look great, it probably boils down to personal taste.

However, IMHO I have found that a fully Aluminium knob is not the most practical. I the summer they're likely to get hot enough burn and winter cold enough for your hand to freeze to it.

I'm currently using a Momo Race Air Leather and I find the small amount of aluminium exposed catches me out on really cold/hot days

just my $0.02

PS. What CAD program are using to model the designs ?

Todd Sager (owner of Air & Water Enterprises) posted on the 1point8t mailing list a while back that AWE will be carrying the Borla exhaust (same $599 price) but with specially modified tips to remove the "tip in a tip" look of the APR offering (and Neuspeed's exhaust also). So you might want to drop him a line if you're interested.

<A HREF="Mailto:andy_hedin@hotmail.com">Andy Hedin</A>
'97 A4 1.8Tqms, Garrett 1.0 Bar, ABT Filter, APR/Borla Exhaust, Euro Headlights, more...<ul><li><a href="http://www.awe-tuning.com/">Air & Water Enterprises</a></li></ul>

nt

I would need to know the diameter and length of the pipe coming out of the muffler of the Borla system. Let me know if you are interested.

Larry