Face lift shift knob
Recently I tried installing the newer-style shift knob and matching boot on my 2016 Q50, but I’m running into an issue with the shift-lock plunger.
With the original knob installed, everything works normally — I have to press the button to actuate the plunger before I can shift. With the newer knob installed, the button doesn’t actuate the plunger at all, and the shifter can move freely without pressing the button.
Looking inside the newer knob, there’s a plastic bar/actuator running straight down the center. If I manually press that bar down with a thin screwdriver, it actuates the plunger correctly. The issue seems to be that once the knob is installed, the button mechanism isn’t reaching or pushing it far enough.
From what I’ve researched, the newer Q50 knob is supposed to be a fairly plug-and-play swap on the older models. However, I noticed the plastic base/shaft on my new knob is longer than the OEM 2016 knob, which makes me think it may be bottoming out before the mechanism can properly engage the plunger.
I attached a picture of the exact knob / boot I installed, which is the eBay one, along with a picture of another version I found online that doesn’t have the bar running down the middle.
Did I buy the wrong version of the newer knob, or is some modification normally required for a 2016?
I’m considering returning the eBay one and ordering the other version, but I’m worried I could run into the same issue if its base is still too long to properly reach the plunger. Would I be better off ordering the other style, or shortening/modifying the base on the knob I already have?
If anyone has done the newer shift knob/boot swap on a 2014–2016 Q50, I’d appreciate any advice on which version actually works.