[AussieBob]

I've purchased these cheap Chinese button caps from Hong Kong, who knows they may use a better plastic paint primer than the BMW ones.




After 8 years the originals are now looking even cheaper.

[Qsilver7]

Good to know that replacement buttons are out there when/if needed. How did you find the source (vendor/seller)...was it eBay? Let us know...others may need to source replacement buttons.

Gratefully...I get by using the AUTO feature 99% of the time so it is rare for me to ever touch the fan speed buttons on the climate control panel. But over the years some of the other buttons may need to be replaced if the originals don't hold up.

I'm a "set-it-and-forget-it" user...letting the AUTO climate feature do its thing. If it's summer and I need more air velocity...I use the MAX pre-programmed feature. If its fall/spring or the rare occasion that requires removing a lot of condensation from the interior windows...there's the Rapid Defrost/De-Ice button (the one to the left of the MAX button).

[TitanLH8]

I'm on the same boat...some of my HVAC buttons needs to be replaced. I also replaced my handbrake button using a seller on eBay as well. Can't tell the difference between cheap Chinese vs. oem

[Freak1c]

Do the hvac buttons just pop off ?

[AussieBob]

eBay is the place, there is probably one factory in China that made thousands of them and they are now with the sellers on eBay.

The buttons just clip off, the BMW TIS says to tape up the area around the buttons to stop scratching the surface and use their special credit-card sized plastic tool to pop it off while pressing one side in to lift the other side out of this rocker-style fan speed button cap. A trim removal tool will give the same result.

With a car so great it is these little things that drive me nuts. China is in on the spare parts market so there is obviously a market for it. Small margin, large volumes perhaps. BMW is just large profit.

[Surly73]

I'd also be interested in information on a specific seller or item# that folks have had success with.

[moosebeamer]

i have the same issue. I guess the fan speed (off) is the thing I have pressed the most over the past 6 years or so. I havent replaced it yet but its been worn for at least 3 years.

I did however lose my driver size air vent. And BMW claimed to replace it was $230. WTF! So it sat for a year. Till finally I googled replacements based on a recommendation from a friend. There were complete replacements and just the cover replacements. I chose the latter since that was all I really needed and .. it came from China. The cover replacement cost $30 shipped. It did take 2 weeks to arrive. It fit perfect and works great.

My center vent louvers are failing now too so I ordered a replacement cover. Again it took 2 weeks to get here. Being a bit bigger it was $50.

I got them on ebay. no brainer and plan on using it again

Barry

[TTG]

Set the temp to 68F, push on Auto, then AC off and never worry about the fan speed buttons. I am sure mine have never been used

[AussieBob]

Finally got the fan button covers from the ebay China-man (via the Philippines by the look of the postage bag it came in). But on removing the old button from the F10, the new button is too wide to fit into the button space, despite the ebay listing saying two-thirds down, "Fitment: for F10 F11" and the first picture in my original post also being displayed on the ebay webpage.

I've sent a message to the Seller, I'm interested to see if they can supply what is described. In the mean-time I am still looking at those shitty buttons, but perhaps the Seller may surprise me for Christmas

---------

Well the best the guy could do was a full refund, after I had to send him pictures. I hope China-man No.2 can deliver what they have advertised.

[AussieBob]

Chinaman No.2 delivers and restores my faith in Taiwan.
Hopefully good paint primer was used.

[TitanLH8]

Originally Posted by AussieBob

Chinaman No.2 delivers and restores my faith in Taiwan.
Hopefully good paint primer was used.

Can you let us know the ebay seller for the buttons?

[AussieBob]

The seller is gobigstore2018, the ebay link is:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Car-Heat...53.m2749.l2649

[john_luvbimmer]

This is the most hilarious thread I've read on this forum so far, a story of a poor austilian-iare striking his "bloody" way to change his limo's button with cheap Chinese parts from eBay to save those very nickels in the shabby pockets. Great job, dude. The austrians like you impress me like usual, as gentle, elegant, and smart as they typically are. However smart you are, I would like learn you a lesson: If I were you, i would never humiliate myself to buy things with a group of people you look down on. Take a note and stop embarrassing yourself again. Shame.

[AussieBob]

Originally Posted by john_luvbimmer

This is the most hilarious thread I've read on this forum so far, a story of a poor austilian-iare striking his "bloody" way to change his limo's button with cheap Chinese parts from eBay to save those very nickels in the shabby pockets. Great job, dude. The austrians like you impress me like usual, as gentle, elegant, and smart as they typically are. However smart you are, I would like learn you a lesson: If I were you, i would never humiliate myself to buy things with a group of people you look down on. Take a note and stop embarrassing yourself again. Shame.

Sorry for the Taiwan reference. Enjoy your world as I enjoy mine.

[ThaiBruin]

I replaced the trunk open button recently. I didn't think I used it that much but I noticed the car part was completely rubbed off. Cheap and easy to replace from eBay.