Actually a very easy swap for those with the first iteration of the idrive system (swivelling screen, dvd based navigation, and knob with one button to control it).
You'll need:
Part no: 51 16 9181072 - Cover, central control unit, black (different colour = different part no) £22.16
Part no: 07 14 7073406 - Clamp (x 5) £0.78 each
Part no: 9189048 02 - idrive controller (plug & play in my experience!)
So to swap them out, all you have to do it remove the surrounding trim by prising it up with a car trim removal tool, or for the MacGayvers amongs us, use a credit card or a library card. Slip it under and press up - it pops out. Once you've lifted it a little you'll see the controller is connected on the underside to the car via a cable - it has a plug on the end so just pull it out.
Now you're just going to put you new controller into the replacement trim piece and slot it in to the hole you've left in the centre console. The new controller is bigger and a different shape from the old, so there is a bit of underlying plastic there which you'll have to trim - I used a pocket knife, a junior hacksaw and a wood file.
Once you've measured up and removed the needless plastic (marked in red above), connect the cable to the controller, slot the controller into the new trim, attach the 5 clamps to the underside of the trim, and then slot the trim into the car. How much trimming you've done will determine how snug it is - mine was very tight so removing it in future may cause problems.
Viola
Total spend £100* (controller bought from eBay). It looks better and works a lot better.
It's so easy I'm wondering if there was even any need for a how-to, but I'm a Samaritan, what can I say
You'll need:
Part no: 51 16 9181072 - Cover, central control unit, black (different colour = different part no) £22.16
Part no: 07 14 7073406 - Clamp (x 5) £0.78 each
Part no: 9189048 02 - idrive controller (plug & play in my experience!)
So to swap them out, all you have to do it remove the surrounding trim by prising it up with a car trim removal tool, or for the MacGayvers amongs us, use a credit card or a library card. Slip it under and press up - it pops out. Once you've lifted it a little you'll see the controller is connected on the underside to the car via a cable - it has a plug on the end so just pull it out.
Now you're just going to put you new controller into the replacement trim piece and slot it in to the hole you've left in the centre console. The new controller is bigger and a different shape from the old, so there is a bit of underlying plastic there which you'll have to trim - I used a pocket knife, a junior hacksaw and a wood file.
Once you've measured up and removed the needless plastic (marked in red above), connect the cable to the controller, slot the controller into the new trim, attach the 5 clamps to the underside of the trim, and then slot the trim into the car. How much trimming you've done will determine how snug it is - mine was very tight so removing it in future may cause problems.
Viola
Total spend £100* (controller bought from eBay). It looks better and works a lot better.
It's so easy I'm wondering if there was even any need for a how-to, but I'm a Samaritan, what can I say