Calling all Cobb/TWM STS owners

C

CHICO2003

:
MSP & MS3
I've searched... and searched, but was unable to come to a consensus.

I NEED to order a STS asap. I'm about a month into my MS3 and these crazy long throws are driving me crazy. (seriously, wtf was mazda thinking?) I know the MSP didn't have a STS (they merely just chopped the shaft... ouch!) but it certainly FELT better than this crap.

So yeah... I need to make up my damn mind between the Cobb and TWM

Here's what I know so far...

Cobb costs $50 more and allows you to adjust the throw and height.
Some seem to complain about it not being in the same position as the stock shifter (due to it's height adjustability mechanism) I've also heard that a part of it potrudes from the right side of the shift boot...

TWM... nothing but good things really. That should make it a no-brainer for me but I'm just not sure about how comfortable the height will be. Based on the pictures I've seen, it seems like it's rather low. I feel the stock height works well... might be a half an inch or so too high but overall it seems to work well. I've taken the knob off and placed it where I think the TWM would be while driving and it seems ok... but it's hard to tell.

Further complicating matters... Even though the Cobb costs $50 more, the fact that I'd have to buy a new boot for the TWM ($60) while I conceivably could keep my stock with the Cobb (assuming I keep it the same height) basically makes the cost difference a non-factor.

I've already got SU bushings so taking 'advvantage' of the TWM bundle isn't a factor either. (and really, what kind of deal is that anwyay? it's the same price as both of them combined! no savings there.)

So yeah... any help you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated. This is something that's long overdue.
 
A long while back, I posted a bunch of pictures (in another thread) as far as adjustment range with the Cobb. It fits fine under the stock boot, but it fills it out a bit more than the stock one - nobody seems to notice it.

I went with the Cobb because I wanted the shortened throw without having the knob sit so low (I'm not a fan of how it looks or having to reach for it). I've got the SU bushings with it - it definately feels better than the long-throw butter-churn action of the stock shifter with the two combined.
 
so that said... all you cobb owners... do you feel like you have to reach for it? The cabin design of this car isn't idealy suited for a typical short throw height shifter imo... and that's what has me on the fence. If it feels awkward... it'll defeat the purpose of having one. So maybe it's worth spending the extra dough for the Cobb.
 
hmm... Doesnt' look bad but I'd probbably still buy one.

more importantly though... how does it feel? Do you feel like you'r reaching? is it AS comfortable (or even more) than the stock height? Would you prefer it to be higher?
 
I may buy one eventually along with the ebrake and center counsel cover, they look nice but I just dont want to spend the money yet.

I think it feels great, I also have the bushings so the throws are nice and precise. I dont feel like I'm reaching, the throws are reduced by 1.5" or so and its good placement and feel, no longer feels like your rowing a boat with that damn stock height. So overall good product and well designed, i think its a good height.
 
After researching, I will be getting the TWM SS with a knob and the works from redline as far as the boot, the e-brake, and armrest cover. Well worth it since I will be gripping these objects every day for years to come.
 
I think you can find most of my comments on the Cobb STS on ThreeEdgedSword's original review thread. I did run into a couple of INSTALL problems with the Cobb STS but the finished result is that I'm happy with it. The throws are shortened from stock and the shifter definitely feels more suited to the sportier nature of the MS3. I have mine set at the highest height setting it allows which seems, at least to me, to be the same as the stock height or at least very close to it. Like you, I hate the stubby little short shifters that sit "down there" as I'm long-torso'd 6 footer and do not adhere to the gangsta lean school of driving.

The slightly different upright position of the Cobb STS is a non issue, it makes no difference when shifting and is only noticeable because the shift boot scrunches up a bit more towards the passenger side.
 
oh wow... just found them on redline's website. pretty sweet! that website needs a complete overhaul though... they need to make it easier to order what you want. but wahtever... definitely something I'll be buying once i decide on my STS
 
^^

Yah, those little leather bits from Redline really finish off the interior nicely IMO. I placed my order last week for all 3 pieces in alcantara to go with the alcantara steering wheel I finally got around to installing last week.
 
I got the TWM stage 2. I love mine but sometimes i wish I would have gotten the cobb one. I think i should have gotten the stage 1. Anway both are way overpriced for a piece of metal /:.
 
I have the TWM short shifter and bushings with the Desert Eagle weighted shift knob and love it. It's been on the car for 25K miles. I recently added the Cobb shifter weight and that made it even better. It's low but it feels fine and natural, I like the short travel distances and the feel of the shifter. I did not change out the boot and it looks fine. I'm glad I did this mod.


07 Silver MS3, Mazdaspeed CAI, Mazdaspeed CBE, TWM short shifter and bushings, SU Billet Aluminum Rear Engine Mount, Hotchkins RS, Cobb shifter Weight, Fuel-Filler Door, Goodridge Stainless Steel brake lines, Motul RBF600 brake fluid, Hawk pads.
 
Let me sum it up for you. I have owned both. Let me get to the point.

COBB pros are, the shifts are more clean and short, it looks great, adjustable. Cons are, the shaft jiggles a bit and it gets annoying and doesnt feel solid as a unit, works better with the shifter weight, more expensive, may have to be tweaked to get into first gear correctly.

TWM pros: The whole unit feels solid, the Cobb tends to feel like a chunk of lego blocks at times, the price is right, the height is even shorter than the Cobb, its actually just the right height for me. Cons are: need the bushings for a more notchy feel, looks cheap, and its not adjustable.
 
I went back to the stock shifter after having the TWM STS for about 1yr. The stock shifter with the TWM bushings feels the best and most natural. The TWM STS was cool at first but then I got tired at looking at a little stub of a shifter and it didn't really help me with mis shifts. Not only this but the springs are whatever used make the shifting action too stiff and un natural feeling, the stock shifter is easier to run through the gears even if the throws are a bit longer.
 
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