If you bottom it out on the shifter stalk, it will be lower than OEM. You can set it as high or low as you want. One thing to note however, is that they ship with a newer VW adapter that didn't slide all the way down the shifter stalk for me. I had to use my Ology adapter to make it sit lower. As for installing, I recommend securing the bolts with purple loctite. If you haven't already removed your OEM shift knob from the boot, I highly recommend using a heat gun or hairdryer to soften up the plastic retaining clips that hold the leather boot to the knob. Use a thing flathead screwdriver to ply them up so the boot will slide off. Be gentle removing the trim that holds the shifter to the center console b/c I accidentally broke one of my clips pulling up too hard.