[yllwwgn]

Originally Posted by arciga18

Have a little update to go along with my wheel.

(Sorry, didn't know where else to post this).

More pics to come[IMG][/IMG]

How easy it is to swap out the start button?

[arciga18]

Originally Posted by yllwwgn

How easy it is to swap out the start button?

Getting the switch out from the trim was not bad at all.

Getting the button out was a whole different story.

- I came in from the right side of the center trim pieces above the glove box with some tape an prying tool. I had more space to work with here because the steering wheel is on the other side. This trim came out as one entire piece including the vents

- there are three electrical plugs / switches in the back . Easy to unplug and easy to put back.

Removing the switch from the trim piece was harder. There are 4 latching plastic hooks (maybe 3 in a triangle ) that basically have to be released at the same time. Once I got a couple loose, I was able to push on the switch from the front side to get the entire switch out as I released the third hook.

Now holding just the actual switch, I worked more of the plastic latching hooks to remove the start /stop button in the bottom . This gave me access to the removing bezel (silver piece).

After I was able to get the bezel piece off (I has gave me access to the black button. The button itself is held but two plastic hooks that need to be pushed back together (fragile).

I didn't have any instructions so I could have gone about this the wrong way and you may be able to skip a couple steps.

In hindsight, I may have been able to release the black button immediately (see ind instructions for the red m2 button) without unassembling the entire switch. Ymmv

[yllwwgn]

Originally Posted by arciga18

Getting the switch out from the trim was not bad at all.

Getting the button out was a whole different story.

- I came in from the right side of the center trim pieces above the glove box with some tape an prying tool. I had more space to work with here because the steering wheel is on the other side. This trim came out as one entire piece including the vents

- there are three electrical plugs / switches in the back . Easy to unplug and easy to put back.

Removing the switch from the trim piece was harder. There are 4 latching plastic hooks (maybe 3 in a triangle ) that basically have to be released at the same time. Once I got a couple loose, I was able to push on the switch from the front side to get the entire switch out as I released the third hook.

Now holding just the actual switch, I worked more of the plastic latching hooks to remove the start /stop button in the bottom . This gave me access to the removing bezel (silver piece).

After I was able to get the bezel piece off (I has gave me access to the black button. The button itself is held but two plastic hooks that need to be pushed back together (fragile).

I didn't have any instructions so I could have gone about this the wrong way and you may be able to skip a couple steps.

In hindsight, I may have been able to release the black button immediately (see ind instructions for the red m2 button) without unassembling the entire switch. Ymmv

Thanks for the level of detail.. MUCH appreciated!

[shemazar]

Any word when the official parts for the US will be released since we know the 2019 will have it?

[sor]

Originally Posted by shemazar

Any word when the official parts for the US will be released since we know the 2019 will have it?

Not sure. We have known the part numbers for all dozen or so pieces that make up the wheel for 8 months. It's just not stuff that can be easily ordered, which is kind of weird considering some of the parts are shared with other existing models that have been available a lot longer.

[shemazar]

Whats the replacement part for the “connecting line” 61128038912? It says it’s discontinued on all the sites like bmwpartshub.com:

https://www.bmwpartshub.com/oem-part...re-61128038912

[sor]

Originally Posted by shemazar

Whats the replacement part for the “connecting line” 61128038912? It says it’s discontinued on all the sites like bmwpartshub.com:

https://www.bmwpartshub.com/oem-part...re-61128038912

As far as I'm aware that's the current part. The ETK won't be updated until the fall for the new model year.

Since the beginning of researching this, some of those tiny parts are simply unobtainable on BMW parts sites. I even contacted two dealers. That's why I suggested finding an existing full wheel, as it seemed impossible to piece together from new parts. Perhaps they could be special ordered by a repair shop if they needed it but I didn't find one that said this, they just said some of these parts were not available in their system.

I don't have enough experience to know if this is common, but I suspect at least that online parts dealers simply don't carry every little cable for every single model.

[TxHornX3M40iGuy]

Originally Posted by arciga18

I really enjoy the sport mode

Can you show us what the other modes look like with pics? Also, are you guys coding this stuff yourself or having someone do it? I know there is a guy on the forum that does it...not sure what I'd have to buy in order to get them to do a few things on coding...

[Presario]

Incredible post. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[shemazar]

Did mine today and all was good! Everything works like a champ, with no errors. I got a great deal on my 2018, so didn’t mind spending the $1600 for the wheel parts. Got a good price on a wheel from Europe I liked off ebay from a G02 X4 with a 15% off coupon a few weeks ago, and the 32-30-7-855-725 airbag from getbmwparts.com for 1k.

Thanks for the great guide here, Sor.

So .. much .. better!!!

[KAP8]

So we are looking at $1,600 plus labor to make the switch?

[shemazar]

Maybe less depending on what you find on e-bay.
There’s numerous wheels on ebay for around the price I paid, so if you’re going a used route, probably. I bought the 3-stage airbag new. If you do all the parts new you’re looking at $2500-ish.

Honestly the install is pretty easy. No need to pay anybody to install this in my opinion. The hardest thing is just getting the airbag popped out, which is mostly by feel. After that it’s cake! I could probably do another one in 15-20 minutes.

[shemazar]

Also, another 15% off sale coming on 8/28 to E-Bay. Max $100 off.

https://slickdeals.net/f/11979227-eb...0-starts-08-28

[KAP8]

OK, thanks. I'm 20 minutes away from getbmwparts.com. I'll call them and see if they can give me a cost estimate.

[nogren]

Originally Posted by shemazar

Maybe less depending on what you find on e-bay.
There’s numerous wheels on ebay for around the price I paid, so if you’re going a used route, probably. I bought the 3-stage airbag new. If you do all the parts new you’re looking at $2500-ish.

I wouldn't encourage anybody to buy wheels off Ebay. Where do you think they come from?
We have a big problem here in Sweden now, where thieves are driving around and smashing windows and taking most parts from inside, that can be taken by a pro in a few minutes. Alarm or no alarm, doesn't matter. Happened just 500m away from my house two weeks ago.
It's general knowledge that these parts are sold to baltic states, where damaged cars are "retrofitted" with stolen parts, and then exported and sold as "low mileage beauties".. Maybe, only maybe, those cars got a working airbag..
Other parts will find their way on Ebay..

/n

[shemazar]

Originally Posted by nogren

I wouldn't encourage anybody to buy wheels off Ebay. Where do you think they come from?
We have a big problem here in Sweden now, where thieves are driving around and smashing windows and taking most parts from inside, that can be taken by a pro in a few minutes. Alarm or no alarm, doesn't matter. Happened just 500m away from my house two weeks ago.
It's general knowledge that these parts are sold to baltic states, where damaged cars are "retrofitted" with stolen parts, and then exported and sold as "low mileage beauties".. Maybe, only maybe, those cars got a working airbag..
Other parts will find their way on Ebay..

/n

Perhaps that is a risk. But not everything is stolen. Mine came from Germany, and the seller shared the VIN of the car it originated from - so do your own homework to see what you’re buying.

[Pray for Mojo]

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=32_2596

I believe this will fit on ours cars, the wiring cable is the same part number. I've volunteered to be the first lemming off the cliff with this one. Ordered from Schmiedmann in Denmark since they had all the parts available. $2,200 USD for everything. Really hope the wheel comes with paddles, as I couldn't find the separate part number. I'm 99% sure it does.

[sor]

Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=32_2596

I believe this will fit on ours cars, the wiring cable is the same part number. I've volunteered to be the first lemming off the cliff with this one. Ordered from Schmiedmann in Denmark since they had all the parts available. $2,200 USD for everything. Really hope the wheel comes with paddles, as I couldn't find the separate part number. I'm 99% sure it does.

You can use your own paddles, they're the same.

[Pray for Mojo]

I figured as much. Now I just need to figure out if it's possible to code the M Configuration Menu to use the red buttons at the top of the wheel.

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by sor

You can use your own paddles, they're the same.

Is the back of the wheels without paddles the same? Is there a spot to plug them in?

I've been looking at wheels with no paddles but wasn't sure if I could use my paddles.

[sor]

Originally Posted by Zirenz2006

Is the back of the wheels without paddles the same? Is there a spot to plug them in?

I've been looking at wheels with no paddles but wasn't sure if I could use my paddles.

I'm not certain, M sport wheels without paddles seemed super rare to me, I've never seen one. I would guess they are not compatible.

[Pray for Mojo]

I'm pretty sure, but won't know 100% until my stuff arrives from Denmark, but I believe if you buy the wheel new with the correct options, it comes with the buttons and control electronics. The realoem diagram I used for the M5 F90 wheel shows the buttons already mounted to the wheel, and I presume the control electronics are installed behind. I'll let everyone know what I learn, but it's something to weigh against the cost of an ebay wheel if you don't need to shell out $500 for the buttons and controls.