[EvenKeel]

Originally Posted by daviefl86

what is the electrical sensor in this panel

It's the ambient lighting LED that lights the cup holder area.

[ipilcher]

I just ordered the trim piece for my F34. Crossing my fingers that I'm able to pull this off without scratching or breaking anything.

[EvenKeel]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

I just ordered the trim piece for my F34. Crossing my fingers that I'm able to pull this off without scratching or breaking anything.

Follow my steps. It's pretty easy. Take your time.

[ipilcher]

Just finished up. Not bothering with pictures, since it looks exactly like EvenKeel's.

A few observations.

• I was not able to get any purchase on the lower cover panel with my fingers. Fortunately I have an inexpensive set of nylon pry bars which did the job.
• When removing the upper trim piece, I had to use the "hook" tool from my pry bar set to detach the right (thin) end.
• The wires connected to the upper trim piece did not have enough slack to allow me to rest it on the dash. I was able to rest it in a partially inserted position, and I recruited a pair of extra hands to hold it when putting the upper screws back in.
• The most difficult part of the job for me was unplugging the electrical connector from the control panel. I had to use pliers and they slipped on one occassion. I was afraid that I had done serious damage to the plug, but further inspection showed that there are only supposed to be 3 wires (and post-installation testing indicates that everything is working).
• Removing the radio and HVAC controls from the trim piece was not particularly difficult. I cut a few old frequent traveler cards into pieces and pushed them between the control panels and the tabs (using the new trim piece as a guide to where the tabs are). In a couple of cases I had to use a butter knife to loosen a particularly tight tab.
• It took quite a bit of force to get the upper trim piece back in. This was pretty nerve wracking; eventually I had to just assume that all the hidden bits were properly positioned and just push hard.

All in all it wasn't too bad, and I'm quite please with the result, but I wouldn't want to do it again without having a better technique for unplugging the electrical connector from the control panel.

[Sherhart]

Definitely a nice upgrade, but I would have to really hate what I have to go through all that. Kudos to you guys.

Jimbo

[Who?]

i bought a stick on trim cover off ebay, saves the hassle of removing everything. (for $70 )

will let you guys know if its worth it but it seems to look exactly like the oem replacements.

will update here if its any good

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by SJ00

i bought a stick on trim cover off ebay, saves the hassle of removing everything. (for $70 )

will let you guys know if its worth it but it seems to look exactly like the oem replacements.

will update here if its any good

Link?

[hsk1610]

Originally Posted by SJ00

i bought a stick on trim cover off ebay, saves the hassle of removing everything. (for $70 )

will let you guys know if its worth it but it seems to look exactly like the oem replacements.

will update here if its any good

I bought the set of stick ons. The trim around the ac controls are pretty flimsy so you have to be careful. Otherwise, been pretty pleased with it overall.

here is the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-3-Series...94c238&vxp=mtr

[G16grancoupe]

Originally Posted by EvenKeel

that would be awesome if they had it in that same matte red to wrap around for those of us with the red accents!... do they??

[dubdemand]

Originally Posted by daviefl86

what is the electrical sensor in this panel

I believe it's the LED that illuminates (poorly) the centre cubbie hole.

Great write up OP! Thank you!

Also very useful for the guys wishing to swap their center trim for the 4 series gloss black version!

As seen here...

[DAN]

I've installed the gloss black with matte black surround version, but have a 3mm gap above the numbered buttons.

Has anyone else found this?

Picture currently last on 3rd page of following post:
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...=886145&page=3

[mulch]

Hi from Australia mate. That upgrade looks slick!!! Wondering how you technically managed to get the radio and air-con controls to separate though. Trying to do something similar with my 125i and I get the disctinct feeling I'm going to break something when I try and prise the controls away from the surround trim with a screwdriver/trim tool. Just wondering how you actually proceeded, did you insert the screwdriver from the front between the controls and the surround trim where you guessed a clip to be and lever til the clips disengaged?

[Alano_Mpower]

Originally Posted by EvenKeel

mine is all carbon

[Level3]

Originally Posted by daviefl86

what is the electrical sensor in this panel

it's a tiny led light

[cryptz]

just curious did you guys happen to see anything related to the lights when you were taking the hvac unit out? i would really prefer to have white lighting instead of amber. i noticed the 2016 m4s now have white hvac lighting. I think all of the units are basically the same, i am assuming they may be leds soldered to a board but maybe its not that bad..

[Roverine]

Your instructions saved me a ton of time and aggravation replacing my damaged controls. Literally made it a 15 minute job.

[EvenKeel]

Originally Posted by Roverine

Your instructions saved me a ton of time and aggravation replacing my damaged controls. Literally made it a 15 minute job.

Great. Glad it helped.

[Dang3r]

Had a manufactured CF plate mounted, seller meanwhile discontinued the production but it had looked great.
To extend the blue or red trim line downwards to surround the cluster? Nah, looks riced!
Change frame to matte chrome was no option for me after changing the silver hex to carbon dark.