Ceramic Controls Retrofit

wdimagineer · 03-23-2012, 07:02 PM

Probably a world first. (Not the first for me by any stretch...)

I've replaced all of the controls in my 550xi with the ceramic equivalents. This required replacing the shift knob, complete iDrive controller, front HVAC panel, radio panel, and the rear HVAC panel.

Should I have checked the $650 option box? Probably. But for some reason doing things this way is cathartic and enjoyable for me. I love taking my cars apart to figure out how they work.

Anyways... pictures below. Oh, and I also finished re-installing the Hexagon trim, as well.

btv764 · 03-23-2012, 07:17 PM

You wouldn't happen to have a list of part numbers and approximate prices would you? I've been thinking about possibly doing this. I might just do the shifter and the iDrive knob to start.

How hard was it to get the console apart?

wdimagineer · 03-23-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorolan

You wouldn't happen to have a list of part numbers and approximate prices would you? I've been thinking about possibly doing this. I might just do the shifter and the iDrive knob to start.

How hard was it to get the console apart?

Not handy. Total cost was around $2K.

Shifter and iDrive knob are about $600 each.

bmw409 · 03-23-2012, 09:41 PM

loving it!!!that freaking look sick yo!!!

positiveions · 03-23-2012, 09:57 PM

That looks tight

datbimmerdoe · 03-23-2012, 10:26 PM

awesome! how much?

Nobleman · 03-23-2012, 10:44 PM

How much was it to install hexagon trim. Whatare the part#. thanks

wdimagineer · 03-24-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the infamous...

awesome! how much?

Very expensive. Over $1500.

Ran in to an issue though. The modules all needed to be coded and the BMW application refused to do it, saying the parts didn't match my car.

We ended up disassembling both the new and old modules and just swapping knobs.

So essentially I paid $1500 for knobs.

wdimagineer · 03-24-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nobleman

How much was it to install hexagon trim. Whatare the part#. thanks

$1000. Check getbmwparts.com.

F10528i · 03-24-2012, 03:34 PM

And you think the 2K was really worth it?
To be honest - don't see such a big difference...

wdimagineer · 03-24-2012, 03:57 PM

No. But I wanted it. So I did it.

I'll be sure to order it when I get my next car.

joey5622 · 03-24-2012, 04:11 PM

$1500.. wow so expensive! was looking into doing this before but the price just killed it for me! still don't know why they cost that much..

nonetheless they look so good on your car!! congrats man!!!

why not go with piano black trim instead of the hexagon? i think they cost the same and they look/feel so nice and is a rarity on the 5!

wdimagineer · 03-24-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey5622

$1500.. wow so expensive! was looking into doing this before but the price just killed it for me! still don't know why they cost that much..

nonetheless they look so good on your car!! congrats man!!!

why not go with piano black trim instead of the hexagon? i think they cost the same and they look/feel so nice and is a rarity on the 5!

I had piano black. Took it out. Scratched too easily and looked like crap.

Thanks for the comments!

gtthree · 07-18-2017, 05:53 AM

Hi wdimagineer

i have just purchased a Ceramic CIC controller (4pin) how easy or difficult would it be to remove the CIC wheel and the lower ring to retro fit to my existing CIC controller which I believe is a 10 pin?

gtthree

Quicksilv3r · 07-18-2017, 09:15 AM

Are those ventilated rear seats that I'm seeing? That option must be as rare as hen's teeth. Nice conversion though.

Ickdeep · 07-18-2017, 11:29 AM

It looks really nice but at a really high price

mike@x-ph.com · 08-01-2017, 05:09 PM

Nice!

03-23-2012, 07:02 PM	#1
wdimagineer Major 358 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Ceramic Controls Retrofit - Complete Probably a world first. (Not the first for me by any stretch...) I've replaced all of the controls in my 550xi with the ceramic equivalents. This required replacing the shift knob, complete iDrive controller, front HVAC panel, radio panel, and the rear HVAC panel. Should I have checked the $650 option box? Probably. But for some reason doing things this way is cathartic and enjoyable for me. I love taking my cars apart to figure out how they work. Anyways... pictures below. Oh, and I also finished re-installing the Hexagon trim, as well. Attached Images __________________ Current: 2015 X5 M - Donington Grey/Mugello Red - DINANTRONICS Stage 2 + Free Flow Exhaust - Bimmerpost Featured! Past: Bimmerpost Featured 2014 X5 xDrive50i · 2014 Jeep SRT · 2013 Tesla Model S P85+ · Bimmerpost Featured 2013 F10 M5 · 2012 550 xDrive · 2011 M3 ZCP
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-23-2012, 07:17 PM	#2
btv764 .: 26 Rep 195 Posts Drives: 2012 535i M sport Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mass iTrader: (1)	You wouldn't happen to have a list of part numbers and approximate prices would you? I've been thinking about possibly doing this. I might just do the shifter and the iDrive knob to start. How hard was it to get the console apart? __________________ ///
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2012, 09:41 PM	#4
bmw409 New Member 2 Rep 21 Posts Drives: f10 528i Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: texas iTrader: (0)	loving it!!!that freaking look sick yo!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2012, 09:57 PM	#5
positiveions Lieutenant General 961 Rep 11,722 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	That looks tight
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2012, 10:26 PM	#6
datbimmerdoe Lieutenant General 1277 Rep 17,493 Posts Drives: like I'M BOUT THAT LIFE Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: PARADISE aka CANES COUNTRY iTrader: (0)	awesome! how much? __________________ #datbimmerdoe #thatbimmertho FOLLOW @datbimmerdoe on INSTAGRAM
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-23-2012, 10:44 PM	#7
Nobleman First Lieutenant 28 Rep 304 Posts Drives: 2011 535 Xdrive Msport TiAg Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NJ Edgewater iTrader: (7)	How much was it to install hexagon trim. Whatare the part#. thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-24-2012, 03:34 PM	#10
F10528i Enlisted Member 2 Rep 35 Posts Drives: F10 528i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	And you think the 2K was really worth it? To be honest - don't see such a big difference...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-24-2012, 03:57 PM	#11
wdimagineer Major 358 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	No. But I wanted it. So I did it. I'll be sure to order it when I get my next car. __________________ Current: 2015 X5 M - Donington Grey/Mugello Red - DINANTRONICS Stage 2 + Free Flow Exhaust - Bimmerpost Featured! Past: Bimmerpost Featured 2014 X5 xDrive50i · 2014 Jeep SRT · 2013 Tesla Model S P85+ · Bimmerpost Featured 2013 F10 M5 · 2012 550 xDrive · 2011 M3 ZCP
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-24-2012, 04:11 PM	#12
joey5622 First Lieutenant 32 Rep 363 Posts Drives: 535xi Join Date: May 2011 Location: vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	$1500.. wow so expensive! was looking into doing this before but the price just killed it for me! still don't know why they cost that much.. nonetheless they look so good on your car!! congrats man!!! why not go with piano black trim instead of the hexagon? i think they cost the same and they look/feel so nice and is a rarity on the 5! __________________ 2012 535xi Imperial Blue Oyster interior 2012 Lexus CT200h Star fire pearl Ivory interior 2008 Infiniti G35x Aspen pearl Graphite interior - you are missed my friend
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-18-2017, 05:53 AM	#14
gtthree Private First Class 44 Rep 196 Posts Drives: F10 530d Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Hi wdimagineer i have just purchased a Ceramic CIC controller (4pin) how easy or difficult would it be to remove the CIC wheel and the lower ring to retro fit to my existing CIC controller which I believe is a 10 pin? gtthree
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-18-2017, 09:15 AM	#15
Quicksilv3r Captain 234 Rep 878 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 535i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Augusta, Georgia iTrader: (1)	Are those ventilated rear seats that I'm seeing? That option must be as rare as hen's teeth. Nice conversion though. __________________ -WJV
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-18-2017, 11:29 AM	#16
Ickdeep Brigadier General 5721 Rep 4,209 Posts Drives: '13 F10 M5 \| '15 F15 X5 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 [10.00] 2013 BMW M5 [SOLD] [10.00] 2013 BMW 535i [SOLD] [10.00]	It looks really nice but at a really high price __________________ Stage 2 Tune BPM \| Fabworx DP \| SSP Performance Clutch \| Muffler & Resonator Delete Dinan Adjustable Springs \| Powder Coated 343 Wheels \| F&R Spacers \| RW Carbon Front Lip & Diffuser Sold!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2017, 05:09 PM	#17
mike@x-ph.com Joint Chiefs of Staff 24198 Rep 190,807 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	Nice! __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
	Appreciate 0 Quote