I have this sinking feeling that my contention will be controversial, even provocative to some. But since this is an open forum, let's be liberal about the discussion. Call me a engineering idiot or mod whore, but some issues are long suppressed for fear of scrutiny. At the end, it sort of violates the fundamental rights to be heard, if only a one-sided argument based on a unitary dimension is voiced.
Is weight really such important in every mod we undertake, as some authorities vehemently purported?
Let's assume physics and performance absolutely dictates our mod doctrine. Why then are we buying heavy cars like BMWs in the first place? Why are we buying heavy rims like Hamann? Is it a white elephant subject to talk about heavier tyres like SO3 or bodykits? Are we talking nonsense when we talk about mods that add weight - for instance ICE or even 18" wheels? I know nuts about the precise weight factor, but I do know that these are not the best - if weight is solely the guiding factor.
It is confusing to some, presumably not all, that certain things we do or mod are not conducive to minimising weight. We used power-to-weight ratio as a punchline in our discussion, but would it not be better to start off with a lighter chassis with higher bhp? Say on a per-dollar spent, get an Evo VIII MR than a E46 in the first place? So am I wrong in the first place to get a heavier 4-potter, running on heavier rims, compounded by additional weight in ICE and bodykit? Damn. I should have bought a Jap Turbo car in the first place. With 17" rims. Forget about going 18" or 19". Dun tell me about 19" forged wheels. I want bucket seats. Forget about memory seats. In fact, I should be stripping off the seats. Why am I sticking to a poor power-to-weight-ratio bimmer?
The reason is simple. Because weight is not entirely my benchmark valuation criteria.
For some, the BMW denotes driver's feel, luxury, or even performance. For me, and hopefully more, the modding process takes more than just minimising weight and increasing performance. It entails the aesthetic component, and doing so with an element of taste or fierce-factor at a reasonable cost. That's why there are forumers going for 19" wheels on a E46 6-potter. That's why there are forumers installing heavy ICE systems. That's why there are forumers interested in after market bodykits. And so on.
They want something else. A different dimension. Call it the chio factor.
What has it gotta do with weight? Absolutely nothing.
Do what you want to do to your car. Obviously, the assumption is that you know what you want, and why are you doing it. If you are doing it because of visual appeal, then be it. On some mods, you can hardly reach a compromise between performance and pure aesthetics.
Came across this article that suggests that lighter weight might not necessarily be a plus point. "In the past, automakers have relied on weight reduction to boost fuel efficiency, but have warned that lighter, smaller vehicles pose greater safety risks to drivers and occupants in crashes. "This confirms that downsizing and downweighting vehicles has an effect on safety," said Eron Shosteck, spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers."" I am not a rocket scientist, but I cannot totally disagree with that view.
http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0310/15/b01-298332.htm
We can go down to physics and kinetics and argue a hell lot on the few-hundred-grammes difference between different gear knobs, but I seriously think that the few hundred grammes amounted to simply...... a feel.
Sure, we could talk about that, but do we need to go down to those specifics, when all we wanted to know is...... simply ......
...... Is this mod chio? Swee boh?
So, back to the thread. Perhaps my brother Wilson should have disclaimed himself by stating that his comment is (strictly) a driver's feel that "for manual shifter, the heavier the better! The weight on top will let u shift the gear with very little effort...... Alot of manual drivers prefers heavier knobs...." Not a claim to be backed by data and statistics. Much the same as Ryan commenting that the butt feel for the pulley-installation is better. Afterall, we are mere drivers, not engineers. Nor rocket scientists for that matter. Just few car enthusiasts who enjoy our cars.
Or perhaps the thread should not be a "For Sale" topic at all, given that our ignorance on the precision science of auto mechanics required a knowledge filter or some scrutinising policing force. Perhaps any item(s) on sale requires a clearance from a self-acclaimed independent party with absolute neutrality to serve as a protection for the forumers who might be potential buyers, since we are perceived to be unable to govern ourselves as rational individual consumers. Pardon my ignorance here.
Am I making sense here?
Or am I just a layman driver who knows nuts and should therefore remain silent?
This knob looks delicious!!! Too bad PML sell only steppies! 
