[Danny271]

Hello!

I just traded in my 2008 Montego Blue 335i xDrive coupe for a 2012 Space Grey M Sport 535i xDrive. My wife and I are expecting our first child and it was time to trade up to a sporty family sedan. I'm very happy with the F10 so far, the DHP feature is really something special!

I was looking at the arm rest in the LCI F10 models and it seems like they have a new/upgraded arm rest lock,button, and cover. Does anyone know if these LCI parts are interchangeable? The pre-LCI cover and button are made of black plastic and the LCI parts look to be made of aluminum.

Have a look at some examples below.

The part #'s for the pre-LCI parts are the same as the LCI. Is there something I'm missing here? Can anyone let me know if the parts are interchangeable and what the LCI part #'s are?

BODY HARDWARE / CONSOLE / CONSOLE / Lock
Part Number: 51169213661
lock W/O M MODEL

BODY HARDWARE / CONSOLE / CONSOLE / Cover
Part Number: 51169171552
cover W/O M MODEL

BODY HARDWARE / CONSOLE / CONSOLE / Cap
Part Number: 51169206721
cap W/O M MODEL

Thanks for your help!

[Grover432]

Don't know but I never lock my glove boxes and I don't leave anything in them. If someone breaks in to your car, do you really want them to tear the covers off looking for stuff? Just let them open the thing - no damage.

[Danny271]

Originally Posted by Grover432

Don't know but I never lock my glove boxes and I don't leave anything in them. If someone breaks in to your car, do you really want them to tear the covers off looking for stuff? Just let them open the thing - no damage.

Thanks for the reply Grover. I'm not doing this for safety purposes, I'm interested in the enhanced look of the aluminum on the arm rest, not the glove box. It matches the rest of the interior better and doesn't look as cheap.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Danny271

Thanks for the reply Grover. I'm not doing this for safety purposes, I'm interested in the enhanced look of the aluminum on the arm rest, not the glove box. It matches the rest of the interior better and doesn't look as cheap.

Was going to say the same thing as Grover, glad you clarified it .

Personally, for what it's worth, I think the black blends in better as aluminum stands out a bit more in those photos you posted (trim around iDrive and shifter isn't aluminum anyway, is it ? I'm not sure to be honest, I thought it was all "shiny" plastic anyway?) Just my opinion, sorry I know I'm not helping in terms of "does it fit properly".

[Danny271]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Was going to say the same thing as Grover, glad you clarified it .

Personally, for what it's worth, I think the black blends in better as aluminum stands out a bit more in those photos you posted (trim around iDrive and shifter isn't aluminum anyway, is it ? I'm not sure to be honest, I thought it was all "shiny" plastic anyway?) Just my opinion, sorry I know I'm not helping in terms of "does it fit properly".

The lock and button are the only pieces of textured black plastic on the entire center console, so it looks out of place and cheap to me. I'm not sure if the LCI parts are aluminum or just have a metallic look, but I prefer them to the pre-LCI. I e-mailed the fellows at Tischer BMW to see what they say.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Danny271

The lock and button are the only pieces of textured black plastic on the entire center console, so it looks out of place and cheap to me. I'm not sure if the LCI parts are aluminum or just have a metallic look, but I prefer them to the pre-LCI. I e-mailed the fellows at Tischer BMW to see what they say.

What I meant is that on the photos you provided in original post, the black plastic lock kinda matches the plastic that buttons on the console are made of, and black plastic trim around transmission ... etc...
The other one matches nothing, as it's different color (and maybe texture too) from both, the plastic "aluminum like ??" trim as well as buttons and transmission black plastic.

Matter of taste I suppose, hope you sort it all out

[Grover432]

Originally Posted by Danny271

The lock and button are the only pieces of textured black plastic on the entire center console, so it looks out of place and cheap to me. I'm not sure if the LCI parts are aluminum or just have a metallic look, but I prefer them to the pre-LCI. I e-mailed the fellows at Tischer BMW to see what they say.

I'm just heading out for lunch so I'll have a second look at mine, but to be honest I've never really noticed the parts. The dark colour seems to blend nicely with the the black on my interior and the dark anthracite trim.

What really looks nice is the full leather interior of the M5 I test drove. I'd consider one if it could just stop spinning its wheels while trying to get moving.

[martin mustang]

I have Aluminium with black leather with of course the black lock, the contrast work wonders it makes the Aluminium look good! the chances the plastic will never be a match to the Aluminium and will look out of place.

[Danny271]

Originally Posted by martin mustang

I have Aluminium with black leather with of course the black lock, the contrast work wonders it makes the Aluminium look good! the chances the plastic will never be a match to the Aluminium and will look out of place.

It's a $40 risk I'm willing to take...

Not to be rude, but I'm not interested in anyone's opinion on if this will look good or not. I posted this thread to obtain correct part #'s and find out if the pieces are interchangeable.

[r33_RGSport]

Danny271 , based on the parts catalog, they are interchangeable.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Danny271

....Not to be rude, but I'm not interested in anyone's opinion on if this will look good or not....

Hey now... we've got feelings you know

To each it's own

[Danny271]

Originally Posted by r33

Danny271 , based on the parts catalog, they are interchangeable.

Thanks!

I just got confirmation on part #'s from Tischer BMW:

Cylinder 51169202265
Button cap 51169277350
Trim 51169277348

[martin mustang]

Not to be rude, but I'm not interested in anyone's opinion on if this will look good or not. I posted this thread to obtain correct part #'s and find out if the pieces are interchangeable.[/QUOTE]

If only after the part number, I guess the only option is contact your dealer and order the part, don't see the point of a tread if after all you still have to get the final word from the supplier!

Good luck with it!

[Danny271]

Originally Posted by martin mustang

Not to be rude, but I'm not interested in anyone's opinion on if this will look good or not. I posted this thread to obtain correct part #'s and find out if the pieces are interchangeable.

If only after the part number, I guess the only option is contact your dealer and order the part, don't see the point of a tread if after all you still have to get the final word from the supplier!

Good luck with it! [/QUOTE]

I'm glad everyone got their panties in a bunch. I never asked anyone if they thought it would look good, I simply asked for help with part #'s and if anyone had successfully completed this modification. I was waiting for Tischer BMW to get back with me on an answer.

I'll close the thread now. Thanks but no thanks?!

[493263]

I think maybe it's because of the interior trim you can select. If you select certain trims, it comes with the aluminum one. Just a guess.

[snowmuch]

Were you able to get this done? Let me know!

[BMW FOREVER]

Yup I updated the same thing in my Pre-Lci car too...and its a silver colored plastic....not aluminium

[snowmuch]

Originally Posted by BMW FOREVER

Yup I updated the same thing in my Pre-Lci car too...and its a silver colored plastic....not aluminium

I see, can you just confirm the part number for me? I'm looking to do this as well.

Thanks

[pdrf10]

Originally Posted by Danny271

Thanks!

I just got confirmation on part #'s from Tischer BMW:

Cylinder 51169202265
Button cap 51169277350
Trim 51169277348

Curious: Did you replace just the trim piece, or all three of the parts listed above? I like the look of the trim, which is a $15 part (from ECS Tuning) as opposed to replacing all three for the complete "aluminum" look at over $100.

Is the trim piece alone a direct swap out for the pre-LCI black plastic unit?

Thanks.

[Skibum]

Hi, I know this is an over 3-year old thread, however, the lock on my 2014 LCi F10 just disintegrated. Evidently I have no clue how to lock and unlock it. I mistakenly thought you used the built-in key slot thingee that is part of the key fob. Nope, it wouldn't turn the lock cylinder and then the thing completely "exploded" meaning the entire lock cylinder popped out along with a spring, and the plastic pieces surrounding it came out as well. I'm afraid to find out how much the dealer will want to remove and replace this!

So... does anyone know what key is to be used to lock and unlock this console lock?

Thanks.