[SliChillax]

I can't seem to find in any place where they sell the gloss trim found around the AC or the aluminium trim that surrounds the AC vents on top. This is what I'm talking about, yellow for the aluminium trim around the ac vents and red the gloss black trim.

2015> (left) - 2014<(right)

[OpenAir]

I have a 2015 and mine looks like the one on the left...almost a piano black gloss.

[1LegitM235i]

Ditto

[shane060]

Same here 2015 and have gloss black...

[SliChillax]

Aright well 2015 it is but does anyone know if the parts are sold separately or do I have to buy a new centre dashboard?

[Viffermike]

This is one of the mid-year changes that occurred for 2015 models, at least in the U.S. Cars built 3/15 (and all F23s) and after have the fittings on the left; cars built before 3/15 have the fittings on the right.

Last time I checked, RealOEM.com had not updated the part numbers for cars built after March 2015. It's only a matter of time, I'm sure, before the new part numbers are available and spares can be ordered.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by SliChillax

I can't seem to find in any place where they sell the gloss trim found around the AC or the aluminium trim that surrounds the AC vents on top. This is what I'm talking about, yellow for the aluminium trim around the ac vents and red the gloss black trim.

OK: All U.S. 2-series models have S534A (Automatic Climate Control).
Part numbers for the center A/C vent assembly --
With the aluminum surround (BMW calls it "Chrom"): 64229317945
Runs about $130.
Without the surround (gloss black): 64229207116
Runs about $105.

For the black center panel --
Gloss (after 3/15): 64119338772
Flat (before 3/15): 64119207197
Both run about $45.

All are available at the usual online parts dealers.

This is all on RealOEM; ya just gotta dig a bit.

[Viffermike]

Bump, wondering if anyone's actually done this retrofit, specifically regarding the center vent surround. I'm about to pull the trigger on that piece, but would really appreciate verification that the parts are interchangeable

TIA!

[SliChillax]

On getbmwparts the ac vent thingy is 125 dollar while the gloss trim isn't listed so I'm not bothering with it.

[Adam135]

Originally Posted by SliChillax

On getbmwparts the ac vent thingy is 125 dollar while the gloss trim isn't listed so I'm not bothering with it.

This?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...p/64119338772/

[SliChillax]

Originally Posted by Adam135

This?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...p/64119338772/

No, the upper part which I circled in yellow in the op.

[Kidu]

is there a DIY on how to change the center piece trim out?

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by SliChillax

On getbmwparts the ac vent thingy is 125 dollar while the gloss trim isn't listed so I'm not bothering with it.

Interesting. When I did my check the prices were lower. It must have been an error.

It appears that the $125 (cheapest I found just now) is for the entire center vent assembly, including the vent mechanism and cold-hot air selector wheel (not sure about the hazard/door lock switch), which makes sense from looking at the part in my car.

Fixed my post with the part numbers with updated price. The one with the "Chrom" ring run about $25 more than the pre-March '15 piece.

[ScBlacksunshine]

On a kind of related topics. Do you know where I can get the blue trim piece seen on the 15 & 16 models? Is it hard to switch them out?

[Kidu]

I cant help but notice, in the picture, why are all the display for the air-con in blue?? I thought it was always red?

[pz619]

Originally Posted by Kidu

I cant help but notice, in the picture, why are all the display for the air-con in blue?? I thought it was always red?

Another change mid year 2015. It's actually white with a slightly different font. At night it changes to red. Functionality is the same.

[RDKing2]

Originally Posted by ScBlacksunshine

On a kind of related topics. Do you know where I can get the blue trim piece seen on the 15 & 16 models? Is it hard to switch them out?

If referring to the dash trim the colored pieces are actually standard. Most dealers will order with black trim for stock as it is neutral. Would think you can get them from any dealer.

[ScBlacksunshine]

Originally Posted by RDKing2

If referring to the dash trim the colored pieces are actually standard. Most dealers will order with black trim for stock as it is neutral. Would think you can get them from any dealer.

Really? Didn't know that since my car is Estoril Blue, thinking of the blue trim piece will match better

[RDKing2]

If my wife had not said she liked the blue trim the sales advisor would have automatically changed it. I could tell he was surprised when she mentioned it.

[Beartato]

I can confirm the glossy and flat center trim pieces are interchangeable, as I just did the swap.

You start by taking off the top vents. They just pull out as a unit. On a side note, the trim talked about earlier in this thread pops off the vent assembly easily, I'd put money down it's a direct swap. You can either pull the piece completely off by disconnecting the wiring or just be clever like me and balance it with your spare hand for the rest.


(dat focus)

Next, take a T20 torx and undo the screws holding the top of the trim piece out. The rest of the trim is held on by two clips at the base and nothing more.

Once the trim is off, pop out the one wiring harness going to the radio controls. For better or worse, BMW decided to use one connection for both the HVAC and radio (the connection is on the far left of the radio unit on the picture below). This is the toughest part, since that connector is really tight with no obvious way to pop it out and you have about two inches of slack to maneuver around with.



After the entire assembly is off, it's just a matter of popping out the HVAC and radio controls, after removing the two T20 torx screws on the HVAC unit. Curiously BMW didn't screw down the radio controls. The best way I found was popping one clip at a time while maintaining pressure on the front of the unit, working one end to the other. I recommend the HVAC control unit first, since it has the most wiggle room to get it out. Once it is out the radio one becomes much easier.

The last step before reassembly is swapping the metal parts of the clips over. They just kind of pop off, no explanation needed.

Just put everything back together and walla, done!



Took about 30 minutes going in blind.

[SliChillax]

Originally Posted by Beartato

I can confirm the glossy and flat center trim pieces are interchangeable, as I just did the swap.

You start by taking off the top vents. They just pull out as a unit. On a side note, the trim talked about earlier in this thread pops off the vent assembly easily, I'd put money down it's a direct swap. You can either pull the piece completely off by disconnecting the wiring or just be clever like me and balance it with your spare hand for the rest.


(dat focus)

Next, take a T20 torx and undo the screws holding the top of the trim piece out. The rest of the trim is held on by two clips at the base and nothing more.

Once the trim is off, pop out the one wiring harness going to the radio controls. For better or worse, BMW decided to use one connection for both the HVAC and radio (the connection is on the far left of the radio unit on the picture below). This is the toughest part, since that connector is really tight with no obvious way to pop it out and you have about two inches of slack to maneuver around with.



After the entire assembly is off, it's just a matter of popping out the HVAC and radio controls, after removing the two T20 torx screws on the HVAC unit. Curiously BMW didn't screw down the radio controls. The best way I found was popping one clip at a time while maintaining pressure on the front of the unit, working one end to the other. I recommend the HVAC control unit first, since it has the most wiggle room to get it out. Once it is out the radio one becomes much easier.

The last step before reassembly is swapping the metal parts of the clips over. They just kind of pop off, no explanation needed.

Just put everything back together and walla, done!



Took about 30 minutes going in blind.

Are you selling the glossy black one? Cause I cant find a glossy one anywhere.

[Beartato]

Originally Posted by SliChillax

Are you selling the glossy black one? Cause I cant find a glossy one anywhere.

The glossy one is part number 64119338772. It's $41 on getbmwparts.com, plus shipping.

https://getbmwparts.com/parts/index....&siteid=214672

I'm assuming just like with the flat black one I ordered from them, they don't stock it so they'll have to order it. I ordered mine the 29th of December and it shipped the 10th of January, not a bad wait time.

I would sell it, but there are light scratches all along the top from me being careless while installing my Awron gauge thing, this is why I looked into replacing it. I wish I could show you but they don't pick up on camera

This is the best I could do, and these are the two deepest scratches for reference:



I'll do $35 shipped if you're ok with the scratches though


...I just wish BMW made flat black versions of the rest of the trim. They make glossy black versions but no flat black Time for an interior wrap