[okankaymak]

Originally Posted by PJEarly

My wife loved and really wanted the crystal controls we saw on an i7 but the i5 didn’t have them. I took a chance on some Chinese parts on eBay and after a more difficult than expected install, she now has them on her i5. $188 and about an hour of time. Well worth the smile on her face. 4 pieces include the start button, shifter, drive controller and volume knob. Thought I would share the results.

I noticed some pictures show the volume wheel with backlight and some without the backlight. Can you confirm whether the backlight on volume wheel works or not?

[PJEarly]

No. It’s not backlit.

[okankaymak]

I found the 4 piece set for around $100 and it’s going on sale soon for $80

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqFtQ4T

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by okankaymak

I found the 4 piece set for around $100 and it’s going on sale soon for $80

Thanks for this! I may have to pick it up at those prices and give the install a try.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by PJEarly

No. It’s not backlit.

Even at night when the lights are on?

[CiprianS]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

Lol. Electrical tape and super glue.

You're the man. I don't even remember how many times I messed things up and repaired them on my own. And yes, I would also do that because it seems very easy to be done.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by CiprianS

You're the man. I don't even remember how many times I messed things up and repaired them on my own. And yes, I would also do that because it seems very easy to be done.

Ha! I can't tell you how many times my wife has made fun of my little box with all those spare screws and IKEA fasteners I have. Along with electrical tape, Gorilla tape , and Gorilla glue. Until something breaks and I break out "The Box" and fix it.

[Planagram]

Originally Posted by PJEarly

My wife loved and really wanted the crystal controls we saw on an i7 but the i5 didn’t have them. I took a chance on some Chinese parts on eBay and after a more difficult than expected install, she now has them on her i5. $188 and about an hour of time. Well worth the smile on her face. 4 pieces include the start button, shifter, drive controller and volume knob. Thought I would share the results.

You did a great job - they look great!!
Now I want these…Do you have a link to the set you purchased? I want to forward it to my Husband…🤩

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by okankaymak

I found the 4 piece set for around $100 and it’s going on sale soon for $80

Thanks again for the link! Now that the Black Friday sale has started, I picked one up as a Christmas gift from my wife.

I also bought a 7 piece set of protective film for the center console buttons, gear selector and knob. I'll let everyone know how they are once I get them. Depending on how they look and feel, I may not use them all, but I'll see once I have them in my hands. It will be a while - they are Aliexpress stuff coming from China.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...hannel=twinner

[okankaymak]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Thanks again for the link! Now that the Black Friday sale has started, I picked one up as a Christmas gift from my wife.

I also bought a 7 piece set of protective film for the center console buttons, gear selector and knob. I'll let everyone know how they are once I get them. Depending on how they look and feel, I may not use them all, but I'll see once I have them in my hands. It will be a while - they are Aliexpress stuff coming from China.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...hannel=twinner

I ordered one too!
A bit bummed about the volume wheel not being backlit, but still excited!

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by okankaymak

I ordered one too!
A bit bummed about the volume wheel not being backlit, but still excited!

I suppose to have an actual light in there, you had to order it from the factory with the crystal controls. Without the crystal controls, you wouldn't see any light through the opaque option so BMW probably doesn't put one in there.

[okankaymak]

Update for everyone,
I just installed the set. Took me about an hour and a half. Even though it has minor imperfections it turned out great.
It's definitely a good more affordable alternative if you are ok with not having a backlit volume wheel like the OEM version.
I think it would be ideal replacing the whole unit with the OEM part, but I couldn't find any part numbers. And even if I did I'm sure it would cost about 5 times what I spent on this set.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by okankaymak

Update for everyone,
I just installed the set. Took me about an hour and a half. Even though it has minor imperfections it turned out great.
It's definitely a good more affordable alternative if you are ok with not having a backlit volume wheel like the OEM version.
I think it would be ideal replacing the whole unit with the OEM part, but I couldn't find any part numbers. And even if I did I'm sure it would cost about 5 times what I spent on this set.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll be doing mine sometime in the new year after I get my presents from my wife. Glad to know another person successfully installed it without breaking anything or causing problems. I assume you also did not have to disconnect the battery or anything? Just did the work while the car was in the "off" position?

If you have some pictures, please share them! Also, if you could elaborate a little on what those "minor imperfections" are, it would be appreciated.

[okankaymak]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'll be doing mine sometime in the new year after I get my presents from my wife. Glad to know another person successfully installed it without breaking anything or causing problems. I assume you also did not have to disconnect the battery or anything? Just did the work while the car was in the "off" position?

If you have some pictures, please share them! Also, if you could elaborate a little on what those "minor imperfections" are, it would be appreciated.

Absolutely!
This one may not be considered a flaw for 530 or 540 drivers, but for my i5 the original start/stop button says “start stop”. The crystal versions says “start engine stop”. Not a huge issue.
My real complaint about the start/stop button is the alignment of the words. It’s clearly not centered. I’m not sure if it’s the same way in the OEM version, but my original non crystal button was 100% centered.
Attaching some day/night pictures here for you guys.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by okankaymak

Absolutely!
This one may not be considered a flaw for 530 or 540 drivers, but for my i5 the original start/stop button says “start stop”. The crystal versions says “start engine stop”. Not a huge issue.
My real complaint about the start/stop button is the alignment of the words. It’s clearly not centered. I’m not sure if it’s the same way in the OEM version, but my original non crystal button was 100% centered.
Attaching some day/night pictures here for you guys.

Thanks for the info! I never noticed that about the Start Stop button - mine appears to have the word "engine" on it too, presuming the pictures on AliExpress are accurate. Interesting... I may decide not to replace that button after all - not sure yet.

One question for those who have converted from non-crystal to crystal:

1. How do you find the texture and feel of the iDrive knob and the volume roller now compared to the original non-crystal ones?

I really like the feel of the metal band around the knob, and the feel of the volume roller is really good too. Do you like the new crystal feel just as much as the old metal touch? Although I really like the feel of the metal parts, I like the look of the crystal much more than the metal knob and the plastic gear selector.

[mariopl]

That would also interest me - I remember playing with crystal controls and the main iDrive fob were "heavy" and rotating seamlessly. Is this one similar or kind of "light plastic" ?

[okankaymak]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Thanks for the info! I never noticed that about the Start Stop button - mine appears to have the word "engine" on it too, presuming the pictures on AliExpress are accurate. Interesting... I may decide not to replace that button after all - not sure yet.

One question for those who have converted from non-crystal to crystal:

How do you find the texture and feel of the iDrive knob and the volume roller now compared to the original non-crystal ones?


I really like the feel of the metal band around the knob, and the feel of the volume roller is really good too. Do you like the new crystal feel just as much as the old metal touch? Although I really like the feel of the metal parts, I like the look of the crystal much more than the metal knob and the plastic gear selector.

The crystal knob looks and feels much better. It’s bulkier but the rotate and clicks work exactly the same. It has more presence.

[Planagram]

Quick Question - in my excitement, I missed the fact that the link that was posted for the knobs was for an i5. Does anyone know if that set will also fit a 2024 5 Series? 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by Planagram

Quick Question - in my excitement, I missed the fact that the link that was posted for the knobs was for an i5. Does anyone know if that set will also fit a 2024 5 Series? 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

This is the link that I used and the product description doesn't say anything about an i5, so it would probably fit. I bought it, and it fit on my i5 even though the description says it's for the 5 series.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...hannel=twinner

Also, in case you missed it, you can look at my experience with installing the crystal controls over at this link: https://g60.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=234

There are a lot of neat things over in that Favourite Accessories thread, you may want to check out the whole thread and not just my individual post.

[okankaymak]

Originally Posted by Planagram

Quick Question - in my excitement, I missed the fact that the link that was posted for the knobs was for an i5. Does anyone know if that set will also fit a 2024 5 Series? 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

It's compatible for both i5 and ICE 5 series.

[Planagram]

Originally Posted by okankaymak

It's compatible for both i5 and ICE 5 series.

okankaymak Thank you!!! Thank God!!!! Whew….

[Planagram]

Thank you, SkykingUSA ! I will definitely check it out!