[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by forcefed

You'll spend more time doing that, removing that trim around the shifter takes some patience and fiddling around.
Here's how you take the shifter out, then just push out that piece from the bottom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISvH6xe-usE

My shifter trim just pops right off.

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

My shifter trim just pops right off.

Notice how past 2:40 he struggles taking the trim off? That's the annoying part, it eventually comes off but depends how much you force it.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Notice how past 2:40 he struggles taking the trim off? That's the annoying part, it eventually comes off but depends how much you force it.

Yes, I have watched the video. I will clarify: when I say my shifter trim pops right off, I do not have anywhere near the struggles he does. It literally....pops right off. No struggle. No force. I pull up from the back, and the front comes off more or less with it at the same time.

Yes, it is secure and flush. No I don't think any tabs are broken because this happened the first time I took it off. I have no idea why mine is different but....it just pops right off.

[forcefed]

Mine was the opposite, felt like it was going to break, eventually it came off.

[Skyscraper]

One screw is plenty. It pops right out.
Nice spot for my Focal badge too.

[Mapper]

There are 5 known ways to do this and one is the clear winner. - Screw and vice-grip pliers.

1. Disassemble the entire console. One risks scratching stuff risk damaging the front clips and takes about 50x longer than option 4. Advantage is your original piece is intact.

2. Trim tool. Too many end up damaging the brushed trim either dent or bending it. Too much risk in my opinion. Saves the original piece.

3. Drilling hole and using something like an Allan key to pull. This is messy and a painful not as efficient way as option 4.

4. Take size 10 metal screw 1 to 1.5 inch long ... then clamp vice grips onto screw..and pull hard and fast straight up. This is the fastest ( takes 15 seconds) cleaner than option 3. Will never damage your console trim and this part is just a few bucks if you are hell bent on having a non damaged one for who knows what for..

5. A dent puller using hot glue. Though about using my tripod puller or weight slider puller would have worked. Not damaging the piece... But the idea of taking a screw to a 100k car just added the excitment of having m3 competition badge

Id never bother with any other way than 4.

[bcherdak]

The underside of the original control panel where the end badge is hollow?

I'm thinking about integrating a valve controller button into there, using these SPST buttons with a small receiver PCB inside pulled from the controller.

[Dartimus]

Originally Posted by patchanams

Ended up damaging the silver trim piece as well as installing the m3 console badge. Did you end up getting this kit and does it replace the silver trim? Hard to install?

I had quite a bit of damage around my aluminum trim for my 23’ M3CX, but I found a cheaper alternative using BMW part#61319475059 on eBay. The seller was generous enough to sell me a new one for $99, but it took a while to ship from overseas.

BMW OEM NEW Repair kit, trim, GWS, central control panel 61319475059, 9475059

Hopefully this will work for you or someone else.

[Osheatwo]

Originally Posted by Dartimus

I had quite a bit of damage around my aluminum trim for my 23’ M3CX, but I found a cheaper alternative using BMW part#61319475059 on eBay. The seller was generous enough to sell me a new one for $99, but it took a while to ship from overseas.

BMW OEM NEW Repair kit, trim, GWS, central control panel 61319475059, 9475059

Hopefully this will work for you or someone else.

Perfect. Just want been looking for. How hard was it to replace the trim. Does it just pop off?

[Dartimus]

Originally Posted by Osheatwo

Perfect. Just want been looking for. How hard was it to replace the trim. Does it just pop off?

For me, the most difficult part was the preliminary work for trying to release the two clips holding the carbon fiber trim that are situated near the cigarette lighter/cupholder. I gave up and wedged a towel underneath it, which gave me enough clearance to release the clips holding the aluminum trim down with a thin flat head screwdriver. You just need to insert the flat head into each slot, then twist it to some degree to free each section and it will pop off.

[Osheatwo]

Originally Posted by Dartimus

For me, the most difficult part was the preliminary work for trying to release the two clips holding the carbon fiber trim that are situated near the cigarette lighter/cupholder. I gave up and wedged a towel underneath it, which gave me enough clearance to release the clips holding the aluminum trim down with a thin flat head screwdriver. You just need to insert the flat head into each slot, then twist it to some degree to free each section and it will pop off.

Thanks appreciate it

[Wtfitzvi]

I took delivery on 3/9 and just did the mod the other day.

I used the drill method.. one screw in the middle and some pliers. Whole install from start to finish took about 3 mins.

I wouldn’t risk ruining the silver trim and scratching plastics with pry tools.

[kgelfen360]

Originally Posted by Wtfitzvi

I took delivery on 3/9 and just did the mod the other day.

I used the drill method.. one screw in the middle and some pliers. Whole install from start to finish took about 3 mins.

I wouldn’t risk ruining the silver trim and scratching plastics with pry tools.

Agreed. But this thread is like psychology experiment. Some people still try to find other methods and overthink it. It’s so easy to put a screw and pull it.

[Wtfitzvi]

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

Agreed. But this thread is like psychology experiment. Some people still try to find other methods and overthink it. It’s so easy to put a screw and pull it.

Plus there is no point in saving the blank piece. You cannot sell it so it’s best to just toss it out lol

[DanoG80Cx]

Do you guys pre-drill a small pilot hole for the screw, or just screw it right in? I’m a bit concerned about it slipping and scratching things.

[Wtfitzvi]

Originally Posted by DanoG80Cx

Do you guys pre-drill a small pilot hole for the screw, or just screw it right in? I’m a bit concerned about it slipping and scratching things.

I didnt pre-drill...just sent a wood deck screw halfway in and pulled with channel locks.

[DanoG80Cx]

Got it installed today. Piece of cake. Not sure what I was worried about. I used a few layers of painters tape on the panel so the screw wouldn’t slip.

[ipilcher]

Easy mod. Drilled an initial pilot hole with the smallest bit in my set (1/64?) to avoid skipping, then drilled a larger hole to fit the screw. Used a hex head lag screw, which allowed me to use a socket wrench to torque it through the plastic. (Much easier than using a screwdriver.) One decent tug with the vice grip pliers and out it came.

Really no reason to risk damaging the surrounding bits by prying.

EDIT - I forgot to add ... I used a variable speed drill on a low speed to avoid spraying bits of plastic all over the car.

[twistedmorphine]

Originally Posted by Dartimus

For me, the most difficult part was the preliminary work for trying to release the two clips holding the carbon fiber trim that are situated near the cigarette lighter/cupholder. I gave up and wedged a towel underneath it, which gave me enough clearance to release the clips holding the aluminum trim down with a thin flat head screwdriver. You just need to insert the flat head into each slot, then twist it to some degree to free each section and it will pop off.

Hey, I'm thinking of ordering the repair kit since I damaged my silver trim ages ago. Is there any chance I can damage the CF or another part next with the flathead?

[ipilcher]

Add USP Motorsports to the list of online merchants that can't properly cancel an order.

In other news, I have an extra M3 Competition insert available ($25 shipped; $20 picked up in Carrollton, TX.)

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2093992

[Osheatwo]

Originally Posted by twistedmorphine

Hey, I'm thinking of ordering the repair kit since I damaged my silver trim ages ago. Is there any chance I can damage the CF or another part next with the flathead?

You shouldn’t, I just replace mines today and pretty easy. I didnt even remove the CF trim completely. Just lifted up the back side and left front near cigarette lighter attached. I did remove the side bolster to give me more room and ensure didn’t mess up trim. Used the flat head screwdriver method and worked like a charm.

I order mines from EBay based on Dartimus recommendation.