4 Series Gear Shifter Trim

N44RTT · 12-30-2018, 08:59 AM

Since picking up a new 440i a week or so go I keep noticing subtle and totally unwelcomed changes (compared to my '15 330d), all seemingly geared towards cutting costs.

First it was the nearside mirror glass on the folding/anti-dazzle mirrors. This is not dimmable now (doesn't turn green), only the offside and rearview mirrors are.

Second, and this really pisses me off, since June/July they've changed the gear shifter trim so instead of the leather base, it's now bare plastic

The only way to revert to the leather trim is to change the entire gear shifter unit. There are a few on eBay for £80-odd. Does anyone know if these are plug & play without anything additional, coding, etc.? They have different part numbers, but I am assuming the changes are purely cosmetic.

It's a small detail, I know, but I just think it looks horrendous. I am also planning to upgrade to the M Performance carbon trim in the future, which would just make it stand out even more.

Hooded · 12-30-2018, 09:57 AM

Agree the new plastic shifter trim looks cheap and shite

Lincoln61 · 12-30-2018, 10:12 AM

Now you have pointed it out it stands out a mile. I have just picked up a new 430 and couldnt quite place what was wrong with the gear shift!

TheRealCCR · 12-30-2018, 10:16 AM

FFS... I hadn't noticed that on mine until you pointed it out! Hard to un-see things like this

N44RTT · 12-30-2018, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lincoln61

Now you have pointed it out it stands out a mile. I have just picked up a new 430 and couldnt quite place what was wrong with the gear shift!

I know, had the exact same thing...until I hopped back into the 330d which I still have (selling privately), and I saw the leather around the gear shifter

speedski · 12-30-2018, 10:45 AM

ewwww.

Finally a good reason to own an earlier £40k+ tax bracket 4 series

aquazi · 12-30-2018, 11:34 AM

Probably saves dust and crumbs getting stuck in the folds of the leather though!

KTE · 12-30-2018, 11:37 AM

Weren't those in earlier models one of the differences between sports auto and auto (without paddles or S+).

I was asking a co-worker if he was sure he had sports auto because of the plastic trim, but he showed me the paddles so I shrugged it off as something they'd changed, assuming everything was sports auto as standard.

Steven1077 · 12-30-2018, 11:40 AM

M3 has always been like that, personally it doesn't bother me

adam.b · 12-30-2018, 12:52 PM

As KTE mention on F30/F31 was pre face lift without leather non sport auto.
strange that is the other way on 4 series.
my 18 plate f31 is with leather as the f30 16 plate

aquazi · 12-30-2018, 02:31 PM

My 67 plate F32 is leather too.... so must be a more recent change they have made.

N44RTT · 12-30-2018, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquazi

My 67 plate F32 is leather too.... so must be a more recent change they have made.

I looked at different AUCs, and as I said in the initial post, it looks it was changed around June/July this year.

kingmonkey8 · 12-30-2018, 07:24 PM

Looks wrong. Looks like some cheap fake stick on crap.
Pointless considering the 4 series will be phased out soon anyway.

The new g20 3 series doesn't have the leather either but at least it looks integrated and part of the design.

The removal of the dimming mirror is stupid as well as that means the mirrors are different on each side.
Soon they will be removing the steering wheel...

jbeer · 12-31-2018, 03:22 AM

This must be a change specific to 4er as I've just seen 2 68 plate Dec cars 1 M Sport and the other M Sport Shadow Edition and both have the leather trim

doncarlyon · 12-31-2018, 03:40 AM

Mine is a 68 plate F36 and doesn't have the leather. I find that whole area a bit "plain" and "plasticcy" (is that a word?). Should have been a different material / finish.

fuzzybunny · 12-31-2018, 09:06 AM

Mine is registered in Feb 2018 and has the leather trim but doesn't have the nearside antidazzle mirror. It does dip down though when engaging reverse which is such a simple and effective way of reducing kerb rash on the alloys.

M3anLantern · 12-31-2018, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nart

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquazi

My 67 plate F32 is leather too.... so must be a more recent change they have made.

I looked at different AUCs, and as I said in the initial post, it looks it was changed around June/July this year.

17 plate f36 but mine is plastic so no sure if that's categorically true!

N44RTT · 12-31-2018, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dk1894

17 plate f36 but mine is plastic so no sure if that's categorically true!

Interesting...who knows then

doncarlyon · 12-31-2018, 12:15 PM

Had a look on autotrader and there doesnt seem to really be a definitive change over from leather to non-leather.

330XDave · 12-31-2018, 12:21 PM

Probably a shortage of parts then.

wlegge · 12-31-2018, 05:52 PM

Very odd. Must admit I think I like it with the leather though.

12-30-2018, 08:59 AM	#1
N44RTT Second Lieutenant 78 Rep 229 Posts Drives: G21 M340i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	4 Series Gear Shifter Trim Since picking up a new 440i a week or so go I keep noticing subtle and totally unwelcomed changes (compared to my '15 330d), all seemingly geared towards cutting costs. First it was the nearside mirror glass on the folding/anti-dazzle mirrors. This is not dimmable now (doesn't turn green), only the offside and rearview mirrors are. Second, and this really pisses me off, since June/July they've changed the gear shifter trim so instead of the leather base, it's now bare plastic The only way to revert to the leather trim is to change the entire gear shifter unit. There are a few on eBay for £80-odd. Does anyone know if these are plug & play without anything additional, coding, etc.? They have different part numbers, but I am assuming the changes are purely cosmetic. It's a small detail, I know, but I just think it looks horrendous. I am also planning to upgrade to the M Performance carbon trim in the future, which would just make it stand out even more. Attached Images __________________ '22 G21 M340i xDrive (MHT) in DG Gone: '18 LCI F32 440i M Sport Plus in EBII '15 LCI F30 330d M Sport Plus in EBII
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12-30-2018, 09:57 AM	#2
Hooded Banned 1669 Rep 3,967 Posts Drives: F30 330d M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Agree the new plastic shifter trim looks cheap and shite
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12-30-2018, 10:12 AM	#3
Lincoln61 Captain 747 Rep 620 Posts Drives: 2018 430d Msport+ Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Now you have pointed it out it stands out a mile. I have just picked up a new 430 and couldnt quite place what was wrong with the gear shift!
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12-30-2018, 10:16 AM	#4
TheRealCCR Enlisted Member 12 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2018 435d xDrive M Sport+ Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Formby, Merseyside iTrader: (0)	FFS... I hadn't noticed that on mine until you pointed it out! Hard to un-see things like this __________________ CCR Current: 2018 435d M Sport+ in MG (lightly mapped!) Previous: E92 330d Coupe, E46 320d Coupe
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12-30-2018, 10:45 AM	#6
speedski Major 547 Rep 1,066 Posts Drives: Former F40/F36/E81/E85 Owner Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	ewwww. Finally a good reason to own an earlier £40k+ tax bracket 4 series
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12-30-2018, 11:34 AM	#7
aquazi Major 461 Rep 1,303 Posts Drives: 18 M4C Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Sutton coldfield iTrader: (0)	Probably saves dust and crumbs getting stuck in the folds of the leather though!
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12-30-2018, 11:37 AM	#8
KTE First Lieutenant 82 Rep 351 Posts Drives: A slow car Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: England iTrader: (0)	Weren't those in earlier models one of the differences between sports auto and auto (without paddles or S+). I was asking a co-worker if he was sure he had sports auto because of the plastic trim, but he showed me the paddles so I shrugged it off as something they'd changed, assuming everything was sports auto as standard.
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12-30-2018, 11:40 AM	#9
Steven1077 Lieutenant Colonel 240 Rep 1,756 Posts Drives: M140i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: London England iTrader: (0)	M3 has always been like that, personally it doesn't bother me Last edited by Steven1077; 12-31-2018 at 05:58 AM..
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12-30-2018, 12:52 PM	#10
adam.b Lieutenant 189 Rep 500 Posts Drives: iX3 Premier Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Bedford, UK iTrader: (0)	As KTE mention on F30/F31 was pre face lift without leather non sport auto. strange that is the other way on 4 series. my 18 plate f31 is with leather as the f30 16 plate
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12-30-2018, 02:31 PM	#11
aquazi Major 461 Rep 1,303 Posts Drives: 18 M4C Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Sutton coldfield iTrader: (0)	My 67 plate F32 is leather too.... so must be a more recent change they have made.
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12-30-2018, 07:24 PM	#13
kingmonkey8 Lieutenant 81 Rep 552 Posts Drives: BMW 428i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Looks wrong. Looks like some cheap fake stick on crap. Pointless considering the 4 series will be phased out soon anyway. The new g20 3 series doesn't have the leather either but at least it looks integrated and part of the design. The removal of the dimming mirror is stupid as well as that means the mirrors are different on each side. Soon they will be removing the steering wheel... Last edited by kingmonkey8; 12-30-2018 at 07:32 PM..
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12-31-2018, 03:22 AM	#14
jbeer Lieutenant 155 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 320i M Sport Shadow Edition Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Birmingham, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 320i M Sport S ... [0.00]	This must be a change specific to 4er as I've just seen 2 68 plate Dec cars 1 M Sport and the other M Sport Shadow Edition and both have the leather trim __________________ Current: F30 2018 320i M Sport Shadow Edition Accessories: BMW OEM Roof Bars & Bike Carriers, Dashcam - Blackvue 590W-2CH
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12-31-2018, 03:40 AM	#15
doncarlyon Captain 258 Rep 757 Posts Drives: Megane RS 300 Trophy Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne iTrader: (0)	Mine is a 68 plate F36 and doesn't have the leather. I find that whole area a bit "plain" and "plasticcy" (is that a word?). Should have been a different material / finish.
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12-31-2018, 09:06 AM	#16
fuzzybunny Second Lieutenant 113 Rep 289 Posts Drives: Orange F33 435dx Convertible Join Date: May 2011 Location: Somerset, UK iTrader: (0)	Mine is registered in Feb 2018 and has the leather trim but doesn't have the nearside antidazzle mirror. It does dip down though when engaging reverse which is such a simple and effective way of reducing kerb rash on the alloys. __________________
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12-31-2018, 12:15 PM	#19
doncarlyon Captain 258 Rep 757 Posts Drives: Megane RS 300 Trophy Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne iTrader: (0)	Had a look on autotrader and there doesnt seem to really be a definitive change over from leather to non-leather.
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12-31-2018, 12:21 PM	#20
330XDave Major 629 Rep 1,470 Posts Drives: 330d xDrive Touring Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (0)	Probably a shortage of parts then.
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12-31-2018, 05:52 PM	#21
wlegge Private 44 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 435d X-Drive Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Melton Mowbray, Leics iTrader: (0)	Very odd. Must admit I think I like it with the leather though.
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