[Dante]

Originally Posted by madmortar

So after retrofiting paddles onto my car with a friend (drilling into the stock wheel and running a wire from SW to FEM behind the console), go figure this little mod gave us trouble!

First, could not get air vent control wire unclipped. So skipped it and just positioned that trim up against the dash and moved on to the AC controls. Second, could NOT get the AC / radio wire unclipped! Maybe we rushed it but ultimately i ended up breaking a few pieces and although the connection seemed to be coming out, I think it was broken and I was worried to damage it further so I pushed it back in. Everything still works but I abandoned the install...For now.

Realistically, I can remove the old AC and radio unit from old trim and place into LCI part without disconnecting the wire right? Just might be a smaller spot to work with as I'm stuck in the car but I'm guessing I can? I almost want to just saw the old one in half to get the two parts out with ease and snap them into the LCI part at this point lol....(a joke...Kinda..)

Yes, you can also do this with all wires plugged in. Just needs a second person to hold sone parts.
I've actually never unplugged the cables attached to the air vents/trim.

To unplug the wires leading to the ac/radio controls, just pull on them. I've tried to unlock the plug using a small screw driver myself, never worked.
Just pull like in the video and it will come out. In one piece!

[madmortar]

Got it on. Did it without unplugging anything which was kinda a pain in the ass. Oh well, looks great!! I think I like classic mode better for the lights as it matches the rest of the lights on the dash, AC, etc.

[BMW DIY Guy]

I got my parts today, and built out the splitter wire.. I need a proper crimping tool for these style of connections that is for sure. That was far more trouble than I should have had doing it!

Ironically enough, my car is (still) in the shop so cant do the full install until it is back. Grrrrrrr.

[Stoo]

My LCI Panel arrives tomorrow
Cable en route from Dante

Install by weekend!

[AugustWilder]

Does anyone know how to remove the radio and climate buttons from the old Matte trim to be able to put them into the new glossy trim? I removed my radio and climate control face plate from the car but I couldn't find a way to actually release the two units that contain the buttons. I figured I'd ask you guys before breaking something 😝

[AugustWilder]

How did you remove the controls from the matte trim to get them into the new gloss trim?


Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by Dante

Hi all,

since the standard trim piece for AC/radio controls is very boring flat black grey plastic, I've replaced it with the gloss black version of the 4-Series luxury line as soon as it was available. That already made a huge difference:



Now, with the F30/31 LCI out, there is another possibility to improve the looks of your interior. The LCI trim piece has a slightly different, more angular shape and is gloss black throughout. And, and that's the interesting bit, the thing has a built-in ambient lighting! I knew I wanted that as soon as I saw it.

This is how it looks like mounted in my car at daylight:







And at night with ambient light set to orange 'Classic' mode:



And at night with ambient light set to white 'Sport' mode:



Please note: The different ambient light modes depend on options. White 'Sport' mode is only featured with M-Sport and Sport Line, AFAIK.

You like this? Here is how its done:

[madmortar]

Originally Posted by AugustWilder

Does anyone know how to remove the radio and climate buttons from the old Matte trim to be able to put them into the new glossy trim? I removed my radio and climate control face plate from the car but I couldn't find a way to actually release the two units that contain the buttons. I figured I'd ask you guys before breaking something 😝

Use something to pry around the tabs on the back while pushing on the climate control panel. You need constant pressure.

I couldn't get the plug out so I did mine while it was still wired to the car, which was not ideal. BTW I got pissed, used a bunch of force and it came out. Figured no worries if I mess up the matte trim as I was replacing it anyway haha.

[Smee]

if you look carefully you can see the tab i used a small flat head and popped the clip then apply pressure to push it out

like mentioned constant pressure required otehr wise it pops back. do one side first i.e left to right not top to bottom

[Stoo]

Huge thanks to Dante for the Y cable.
Fitted in 5 mins and looks great!

[jimme03]

I'm having trouble fitting the two wires into the connector and have probably ruined my first set of parts.

Anyone willing to sell a Y-cable? It'd save me a lot of time and aggravation!

[Agent11br]

Originally Posted by Smee

if you look carefully you can see the tab i used a small flat head and popped the clip then apply pressure to push it out

like mentioned constant pressure required other wise it pops back. do one side first i.e left to right not top to bottom

@madmortar ^^^This. You need a small flathead and constant pressure. A flashlight is helpful too for the middle ones. If you are worried about scratching the HVAC panel, use a microfiber cloth. If I recall, getting the bottom portion out first and then the top made it easier. There are tabs in the middle between the two and the upper ones are so tight there leaves little room to release much pressure.

[madmortar]

Originally Posted by Agent11br

@madmortar ^^^This. You need a small flathead and constant pressure. A flashlight is helpful too for the middle ones. If you are worried about scratching the HVAC panel, use a microfiber cloth. If I recall, getting the bottom portion out first and then the top made it easier. There are tabs in the middle between the two and the upper ones are so tight there leaves little room to release much pressure.

I man handled the hell out of it and finished the install

[BMW DIY Guy]

just finished the install.. really simple honestly even including building the cable. The change looks fantastic and the first of many I suspect for my 435!

[

[kenhermans]

I'm having problems finishing up the install. When I try to put the cover which houses the 'above cupholder led', it pops back out. When I install the old trim it snaps into place perfectly.

Does it have to do something with the extra wiring? Anyone else ran into this problem?

[Stoo]

Yeah you just have to make sure you manipulate the cable in to the available space.

[335i_Perth]

Hi Dante,
are you still taking orders for y cable ?

[Smee]

Just make one for the cost of it and it's so simple. I made mine with pliers

[Smee]

those that are struggling with making a cable there is an easier way with a tool that most have at home... a crimper



instead of buying

2x Universal pin terminal uncoded 3 POL. #61136931929
1x Universal socket housing uncoded 3 POL. #61138377072
3x pin contact 0,2- 0,5MM² #61130005198 (comes with crimped on cable!)
3x bushing contact 0,2- 0,5MM² #61130005197 (comes with crimped on cable!)
3x pin contact 0,75 MM² #61131393723 (without cable)

just buy these instead

2x Universal pin terminal uncoded 3 POL. #61136931929
1x Universal socket housing uncoded 3 POL. #61138377072
6x pin contact 0,2- 0,5MM² #61130005198 (comes with crimped on cable!)
3x bushing contact 0,2- 0,5MM² #61130005197 (comes with crimped on cable!)


put all the pins to the the connectors and then collect all of the 1's and crimp together. or solder and heat wrap.

the only reason to do it the way in the post is because it looks a lot neater and thats is why i did it that way but its hidden behind dash so who cares

[Fasse]

Did this last night, it was kind of a PITA but got it done and it looks awesome! Thank you OP for this. Problems occurred when i could't get the wiring off of the ac control unit and had to handle the panel when still attached to car. But at the end, nothing broken but my fingers, and as said, looking good
Edit: Added pic, sorry about the steamy windows, but was too anxious to get this done, and weather was what it was, and, and, and...

[bmwuser]

I have read through the post and I have a question concerning the lighting. I have a 2013
335xi with the M sport option. If I do this mod will the light on the trim panel be the amber/orange or would it light up white. Reading the posts I think it would be the white light because I have the sport package. I don't think you can change the lighting color with out during some type of coding. Thanks in advance to everyone that reply to my question.

[Dante]

Originally Posted by bmwuser

I have read through the post and I have a question concerning the lighting. I have a 2013
335xi with the M sport option. If I do this mod will the light on the trim panel be the amber/orange or would it light up white. Reading the posts I think it would be the white light because I have the sport package. I don't think you can change the lighting color with out during some type of coding. Thanks in advance to everyone that reply to my question.

You can change the setting from amber (classic) to white (sport) with MSport in your idrive in the Lights menu. So you have both. No coding required.

[bmwuser]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. Will be in touch.