[knightsabers]

Just installed the M Performance Carbon Fiber/Alcantara Hand brake. Here's a guide below.

Time taken: 5~10 mins

1. Start at the point shown in the picture, lift up the leather at that point till it reveals the clips beneath and work your way up.
2. Once the cover is removed, cut the cable tie as shown in the second picture
3. Once the leather cover is removed, Pull the handle till it comes off * Requires quite a bit of strength. (Firmly fixated)
4. Once removed slide the M performance hand brake ( The M performance handbrake comes with a cable tie prefixed to it. However a new cable tie is needed to replace the old handbrake)
5. Revert the process, fixate the handle first and align clips from back to front.
6. Admire the completed job

[Jvee90]

that looks awesome! nice work. do you have any pics of both the shifter and e-brake together?

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by Jvee90

that looks awesome! nice work. do you have any pics of both the shifter and e-brake together?

Sure, Here's some pics of the two and compilation of all the M Performance parts together.

M Performance Gear Trim Part No.: 51162343743
M Performance Gear Shifter Part No.: 61312250698
M Performance CF Trim Part No.: 51952230351
M Performance Pedal Part No.: 35002232278
M Performance Footrest Part No.: 51472232279
M Performance CF Hand Brake Part No.: 34402222540

[Jvee90]

superb! looks fantastic. bmw ought to pay you a commission for selling these parts! pic 1 is amazing. you sold me on the e-brake and shift surround.

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by Jvee90

superb! looks fantastic. bmw ought to pay you a commission for selling these parts! pic 1 is amazing. you sold me on the e-brake and shift surround.

I wish : Glad you like the Pic. The E-brake feels better than it looks, the shift surround compliments the look of the trim. Only piece missing originally, It came out last month.

[daberlin]

Very useful information and photos, thank you. Helped me decide to order the same kit for my car.

For information, the LEFT HAND drive European part number for the M Performance Gear Trim Part is: #51-16-2-343-741. I've just ordered it today from BMW of Morristown, NJ who said they should have no problem getting the part Stateside from Europe. Cost was $123.

[OzRick]

Originally Posted by knightsabers

The E-brake feels better than it looks, the shift surround compliments the look of the trim. Only piece missing originally, It came out last month.

Does the CF shift surround comes with the Alcantara trim?

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by OzRick

Does the CF shift surround comes with the Alcantara trim?

Nope, it's a seperate piece. M Performance Gear Trim Part No.: 51162343743

[OzRick]

Originally Posted by knightsabers

Nope, it's a seperate piece. M Performance Gear Trim Part No.: 51162343743

OK. So, M Performance Gear Trim Part No.: 51162343743 comes with Alcantara trim on the top and CF on the gear surround?

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by OzRick

OK. So, M Performance Gear Trim Part No.: 51162343743 comes with Alcantara trim on the top and CF on the gear surround?

That's correct, the part is seperate from the CF Trim package but includes the CF & Alcantara surrounding the Gear.

[daberlin]

CF parts arrived today. Huge Box. Here are photos of the LEFT HAND DRIVE gear trim and associated part number as I mentioned above. It includes BOTH the Alcantara trim and CF.

[Jvee90]

^^^ looks awesome! wonder how hard it will be to keep clean...

[daberlin]

I just completed the whole car in about two hours. This includes all possible interior CF/Alcantara parts and one trip to the hardware store for a Torx 8 (wow this is small) needed for the single screw inside the gear shifter. No broken clips on any of the trim removal or install if you take your time. It really looks beautiful. We'll see how well the Alcantara wears.

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by Jvee90

^^^ looks awesome! wonder how hard it will be to keep clean...

Don't know about maintenance, probably, might try and avoid getting it dirtied.

[DesertSmokeBBQ]

Originally Posted by knightsabers

I wish : Glad you like the Pic. The E-brake feels better than it looks, the shift surround compliments the look of the trim. Only piece missing originally, It came out last month.

Can't match your part numbers for the CF Shift bezel to anything on getbmwparts... Can you clarify? I've got the CF Sport Auto piece but still have the crappy silver surround

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by DesertSmokeBBQ

Can't match your part numbers for the CF Shift bezel to anything on getbmwparts... Can you clarify? I've got the CF Sport Auto piece but still have the crappy silver surround

The part number on Getbmwparts is 51162343741 for the US version

[chris4prez]

What's the correct way to remove the Gear Trim Part to install the M Performance Gear Trim Part? This is the only piece I am missing on the interior kit and just ordered it!

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by chris4prez

What's the correct way to remove the Gear Trim Part to install the M Performance Gear Trim Part? This is the only piece I am missing on the interior kit and just ordered it!

Not sure if there is a correct way to install it. Some ppl prefer to use trim removal tools. I used a small flat head screw driver and wedged it in the edge of the gaps to gain leverage and popped it off. Upto you.

[F87_LCI]

knightsabers...did you notice a slightly larger gap around the idrive controller in the CF piece vs. the stock trim? I originally had the piano black stock trim and when I put the CF piece in, it seemed there was a slightly larger gap around the idrive knob. Wondering if it's because I have the newer idrive set up (touchpad)...see pics below:

Before:



After:

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by LagunaSecaBlue

knightsabers...did you notice a slightly larger gap around the idrive controller in the CF piece vs. the stock trim? I originally had the piano black stock trim and when I put the CF piece in, it seemed there was a slightly larger gap around the idrive knob. Wondering if it's because I have the newer idrive set up (touchpad)...see pics below:

Before:



After:

I didn't notice a gap around the iDrive knob, maybe when they initially designed the CF trim. It was designed for the old iDrive in mind.

[BmwFlooner]

Thanks for the instructions. I just installed mine.

There's really no reason to remove the cable tie from either piece. All that does is secure the leather to the shell, and removing it you risk cutting the leather. The shell is a hard piece of plastic that is secured to the lever by a couple of metal insets.

Just summon the might of Hercules to pull it off. This may require several summonings. Go have a beer. Relax. Then summon the might of Hercules and push the new one down onto the lever until you hear a 'click'.

The only real irritation I had was ensuring the edges of the alcantera weren't peeking out from the bottom of the clips. I had to use a kitchen knife to push these in as I was securing the clips.

[knightsabers]

Originally Posted by BmwFlooner

Thanks for the instructions. I just installed mine.

There's really no reason to remove the cable tie from either piece. All that does is secure the leather to the shell, and removing it you risk cutting the leather. The shell is a hard piece of plastic that is secured to the lever by a couple of metal insets.

Just summon the might of Hercules to pull it off. This may require several summonings. Go have a beer. Relax. Then summon the might of Hercules and push the new one down onto the lever until you hear a 'click'.

The only real irritation I had was ensuring the edges of the alcantera weren't peeking out from the bottom of the clips. I had to use a kitchen knife to push these in as I was securing the clips.

You're welcome. I agree, it's preferential to cut the cable tie because it will come off with a little elbow grease.