Dabears2k Shift Boot

[Mazda3X2]

I ordered a shortened shift boot from the Dabears2k website for my MS3.

It took 1 month to receive the boot which arrived from the UK.

Here are my issues and I do not recommend anyone purchasing a shift boot from them.

1/ Although I ordered a shortened boot by 1 3/4", it was only marginally (1/2") shorter than the OEM boot.

2/ The hole at the top of the boot was huge. When re-using the plastic piece inside the OEM boot, I could not hide the top seam under the shift knob. I had to paint a large washer black to use between the knob and boot to hide the leather seam under.

I e-mailed my concerns about fitment and was replied simply that is how it is designed. It seems they are the middle man for an overseas fabricator and are out of the loop as far as quality control or specifications.

It is a shame because the materials used were really nice.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

:ttiwwp

[Mazda3X2]

I never took any pics of the boot during the lengthy install / modification process.

I can take some of the boot now installed with my modified washer / spacer. It turned out good IMO. But I don;t figure you should have to go through this fabrication process yourself.

To make matters worse I even dropped my shift knob off the table onto the ceramic floor denting it when doing all of this. :complain

Pics to follow later.

[Mazda3X2]

Pics
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa212/Bearman72/MS3/IMG_2658.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa212/Bearman72/MS3/IMG_2657.jpg

[stormin84]

i have order from them and found that they were extremely fast at shipping the items and answering my questions. Did you email Matt (i found Matt extremely helpfull...sorry about your luck...)

[Mazda3X2]

It was Matt that I e-mailed. I would try to follow this up more and fight to get some money back or exchange or something I just don't have the will or energy right now.

[Greg_di]

should of got the boot from TWM :P I got one with my TWM short shifter and its been great

[Mazda3X2]

Hindsight is 20/20.

I really wanted the perforated leather though.

[Olestra]

I'm pretty sure RedLineGoods makes a shift boot that looks exactly like that. They use Genuine Italian leather and cut specific to your shifter size.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Doesn't look so bad..

[Gizzmo_jr]

Doesn't look so bad..

I agree but it is all bunched up and whatnot.
I just got my Redlinegoods stuff not to long ago, really really impressed on there quality.

[Mazda3X2]

Can someone please post a picture of their Redline boot installed? I am going to check out their stuff online.

[Hives]

Hey man, even though its not really want you wanted, I find that it looks really good. You should keep it :)

[yearoftherat]

There are tons of pics of the shift boot here (http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123711216)

I've got the redline shiftboot and am happy with the product.

[Youngun]

Alot of people over at mazda3forums.com have been having bad experiences as of late when dealing with Dabears2k, including my friend who just bought some HID match fogs which he just got and the quality as very poor. Also he paid for upgraded shipping, next day for $11US and they were shipped regular standard rate shipping which had the shipping cost posted on the label as being $2US and some change.

[erratic]

Thanks for this thread. I was thinking of ordering some bulbs from them, but I think I will look elsewhere.

[ziegs2020]

As a vendor he is pretty inconsistent, though competent. In the past he's admitted to inflating shipping charges to offset the low product cost.

[ZeroChalk]

I bought led interiors from him and I gotta say I was surprised how crummy they were. I kinda expected much more.