Replace the black buttons with Galvanic Finish

Toshi · 03-09-2022, 10:02 PM

I found the 8er gran coupe and the coupe/cab LCI models have silver-colored lock/unlock button and seat memory button on the door.
I am looking to replace my "black" buttons to "silver" ones.
Can I remove the accent trim molding only? Or do I need to remove whole door panel?

Here are the pics of Coupe and GC.
I guess I can remove the part no.2 in the diagram below.

r33_RGSport · 03-10-2022, 08:52 AM

Door panel have to come off.
Most likely it is held by some screws or plastic welded from the back.

Opie55 · 03-10-2022, 09:42 AM

Yeah, you'll surely need to remove the door card to get to that. Door cards are never hard to remove, it's just a matter of knowing how because they are all a bit different. You need to know where any hidden screws are and then whether it pulls straight out or up and out. The best thing to do is search YouTube to see if anybody has a video in conjunction with another project - like speaker or door handle or glass replacement - that shows how to do it. Honestly, the hardest part is not getting the card loose but disconnecting all the various wires and fiber optic connections. Best to have a helper hold the door card for that. But once you know how it's done, it's a ten minute job.

Opie55 · 03-10-2022, 09:57 AM

I looked. Pretty easy. There are three screws and 11 of those push-in plastic clips arounds the edge. Below the pull handle you use to close the door is a trim piece. At the rear of it there is a plug. Remove the plug and pry off the trim piece. There two screws behind that trim piece. The third screw is under a small cover you pry off from the front that is located behind the small handle you pull to open the door. After those three screws are out, it's just matter of popping out the 11 plastic clips around the bottom and sides. Easier than my 6 series, really.

hoffmeister · 03-10-2022, 11:34 AM

For what its worth I recall the bavsound website has some good videos of taking late model bmw doors apart. Not necessarily down to the lock button assembly but enough to get a picture of what you're getting yourself into.

Toshi · 03-10-2022, 12:58 PM

Thank you guys!!

Actually I talked with a service rep today.
It looks I need to take off the door panel and replace the buttons from behind. Not a 10-minute job.
Furthermore, the lock/unlock button for G16 GC (#61317950563/61317950564) is programmed for 4 doors and may cause errors unless you swap the control unit from the old button (#61317950561/61317950562).
He said G15 LCI has the similar "silver" buttons and advised me to wait for the new parts to become available.

r33_RGSport · 03-10-2022, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toshi

Thank you guys!!

Actually I talked with a service rep today.
It looks I need to take off the door panel and replace the buttons from behind. Not a 10-minute job.
Furthermore, the lock/unlock button for G16 GC (#61317950563/61317950564) is programmed for 4 doors and may cause errors unless you replace the control unit with that from the old button (#61317950561/61317950562).
He said G15 LCI has the similar "silver" buttons and advised me to wait for the new parts to become available.

If you want to spend a little more time, you can take it apart and swap the button itself while retaining the existing circuit board.

Toshi · 03-10-2022, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

If you want to spend a little more time, you can take it apart and swap the button itself while retaining the existing circuit board.

Hmm... will think about it.

Ozzie8 · 03-10-2022, 06:00 PM

Toshi -san
On a recent trip I hired a BMW X3 with all silver buttons. I found it to be a nightmare as it was virtually impossible to distinguish the difference between the buttons in certain light conditions. Admittedly my eye sight is not quite as good as it used to be.

Toshi · 03-10-2022, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzie8

Toshi -san
On a recent trip I hired a BMW X3 with all silver buttons. I found it to be a nightmare as it was virtually impossible to distinguish the difference between the buttons in certain light conditions. Admittedly my eye sight is not quite as good as it used to be.

That happens

jeezz · 05-27-2023, 06:11 PM

Thread is a bit older now, but for anyone interested, I just did this swap to the silver buttons.

The buttons from G16 model do fit, but I did it like r33_RGSport suggested and just switched the button itself, not the whole unit with circuit board...

Door panel has to come off, then you can "unclip" the button units from behind. If you know how to do it, it's a 15-20 minute job per side.

Here is a video for door panel removal:

Tenac · 05-27-2023, 11:20 PM

Very nice

Toshi · 05-28-2023, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeezz

Thread is a bit older now, but for anyone interested, I just did this swap to the silver buttons.

The buttons from G16 model do fit, but I did it like r33_RGSport suggested and just switched the button itself, not the whole unit with circuit board...

Thanks. Actually I have swapped the buttons a few months ago.
Unlike you did, I swapped whole unit to the silver one.

61317950563 - Button, central locking system, left
61317950564 - Button, central locking system, right

61319490317 - Operating unit, seat memory, left
61319490318 - Operating unit, seat memory, right

As you see, I deliberately left the window switch unchanged to unify colors.

In addition, I swapped the steering wheel switch too.

61319461243 - Switch, MF steering wheel, M-Sport

Toshi · 05-28-2023, 08:49 AM

And... Last week I changed the headlight control switch too.
Everything is now with galvanic finish

jeezz · 05-28-2023, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toshi

As you see, I deliberately left the window switch unchanged to unify colors.

I just changed central locking and seat memory buttons, I will keep the rest "original".

Toshi · 05-28-2023, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeezz

I just changed central locking and seat memory buttons, I will keep the rest "original".

That's the ticket

Dr Thrillride · 05-28-2023, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toshi

And... Last week I changed the headlight control switch too.
Everything is now with galvanic finish

How much $ did all that cost you?

Toshi · 05-29-2023, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Thrillride

How much $ did all that cost you?

To be exact, I just swapped the frame only.
At first, I was thinking about swapping the whole unit to 61319461133 but it has been discontinued. I couldn't find an used one, either.
So I got pre-owned 61319471935 (for the car with front fog light only) and swapped the frame.

Part No. 61319471935 - used (79USD on ebay)

A_ · 05-29-2023, 07:51 AM

I found that 840/850/M8 Gran Coupe preLCI models have silver-colored lock/unlock button as well

Toshi · 05-29-2023, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_

I found that 840/850/M8 Gran Coupe preLCI models have silver-colored lock/unlock button as well

Yes. The 8er GC has galvanic finish buttons from the beginning.

Dr Thrillride · 05-29-2023, 10:08 AM

I like the black with white.

Toshi · 05-29-2023, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Thrillride

I like the black with white.

White?

03-09-2022, 10:02 PM	#1
Toshi Private First Class 58 Rep 194 Posts Drives: BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (G15) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tokyo iTrader: (1)	Replace the black buttons with Galvanic Finish I found the 8er gran coupe and the coupe/cab LCI models have silver-colored lock/unlock button and seat memory button on the door. I am looking to replace my "black" buttons to "silver" ones. Can I remove the accent trim molding only? Or do I need to remove whole door panel? Here are the pics of Coupe and GC. I guess I can remove the part no.2 in the diagram below. Attached Images __________________ [ Present ] 2021 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (G15) [ Retired ] 2014 ALPINA B4 BiTurbo Coupe (F32) Last edited by Toshi; 05-29-2023 at 06:54 PM..
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03-10-2022, 08:52 AM	#2
r33_RGSport General 12996 Rep 18,726 Posts Drives: G09 XM, G05 X5 40, 991.2 T Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (6)	Door panel have to come off. Most likely it is held by some screws or plastic welded from the back. __________________ Email:sales@rgsport.com \| IG:RGSport_USA \| Web:RGSportShop.com PM for Everyday DEALS!! MSS • iSweep • RaceChip • Sterckenn • AutoTecknic • Akrapovic • Vossen Wheels • Eventuri Active Autowerke • KW • H&R • Ohlins • Remus • and more...
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03-10-2022, 09:42 AM	#3
Opie55 Colonel 1204 Rep 2,913 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Yeah, you'll surely need to remove the door card to get to that. Door cards are never hard to remove, it's just a matter of knowing how because they are all a bit different. You need to know where any hidden screws are and then whether it pulls straight out or up and out. The best thing to do is search YouTube to see if anybody has a video in conjunction with another project - like speaker or door handle or glass replacement - that shows how to do it. Honestly, the hardest part is not getting the card loose but disconnecting all the various wires and fiber optic connections. Best to have a helper hold the door card for that. But once you know how it's done, it's a ten minute job.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2022, 09:57 AM	#4
Opie55 Colonel 1204 Rep 2,913 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I looked. Pretty easy. There are three screws and 11 of those push-in plastic clips arounds the edge. Below the pull handle you use to close the door is a trim piece. At the rear of it there is a plug. Remove the plug and pry off the trim piece. There two screws behind that trim piece. The third screw is under a small cover you pry off from the front that is located behind the small handle you pull to open the door. After those three screws are out, it's just matter of popping out the 11 plastic clips around the bottom and sides. Easier than my 6 series, really.
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03-10-2022, 11:34 AM	#5
hoffmeister Second Lieutenant 264 Rep 272 Posts Drives: 2018 M5, 2016 M4, 2015 X5 5.0 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Ny iTrader: (0)	For what its worth I recall the bavsound website has some good videos of taking late model bmw doors apart. Not necessarily down to the lock button assembly but enough to get a picture of what you're getting yourself into.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-10-2022, 12:58 PM	#6
Toshi Private First Class 58 Rep 194 Posts Drives: BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (G15) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tokyo iTrader: (1)	Thank you guys!! Actually I talked with a service rep today. It looks I need to take off the door panel and replace the buttons from behind. Not a 10-minute job. Furthermore, the lock/unlock button for G16 GC (#61317950563/61317950564) is programmed for 4 doors and may cause errors unless you swap the control unit from the old button (#61317950561/61317950562). He said G15 LCI has the similar "silver" buttons and advised me to wait for the new parts to become available. __________________ [ Present ] 2021 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (G15) [ Retired ] 2014 ALPINA B4 BiTurbo Coupe (F32) Last edited by Toshi; 03-10-2022 at 06:18 PM..
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03-10-2022, 06:00 PM	#9
Ozzie8 Captain 641 Rep 628 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW m850i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 Porsche Taycan ... [0.00] 2019 BMW m850i Coupe [0.00]	Toshi -san On a recent trip I hired a BMW X3 with all silver buttons. I found it to be a nightmare as it was virtually impossible to distinguish the difference between the buttons in certain light conditions. Admittedly my eye sight is not quite as good as it used to be.
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05-27-2023, 06:11 PM	#11
jeezz Private 50 Rep 63 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: May 2014 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Thread is a bit older now, but for anyone interested, I just did this swap to the silver buttons. The buttons from G16 model do fit, but I did it like r33_RGSport suggested and just switched the button itself, not the whole unit with circuit board... Door panel has to come off, then you can "unclip" the button units from behind. If you know how to do it, it's a 15-20 minute job per side. Here is a video for door panel removal:
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05-27-2023, 11:20 PM	#12
Tenac Brigadier General 4556 Rep 3,519 Posts Drives: All Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Very nice __________________ 2022 M8 Comp Convertible 2023 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 2019 718 Cayman Base 2015 M235 Manual On the list for the M2 CS
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05-28-2023, 08:49 AM	#14
Toshi Private First Class 58 Rep 194 Posts Drives: BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (G15) Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tokyo iTrader: (1)	And... Last week I changed the headlight control switch too. Everything is now with galvanic finish __________________ [ Present ] 2021 BMW M850i xDrive Coupe (G15) [ Retired ] 2014 ALPINA B4 BiTurbo Coupe (F32)
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05-29-2023, 07:51 AM	#19
A_ Private 260 Rep 99 Posts Drives: M8, G70 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bohemian Grove iTrader: (0)	I found that 840/850/M8 Gran Coupe preLCI models have silver-colored lock/unlock button as well
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05-29-2023, 10:08 AM	#21
Dr Thrillride Major 1414 Rep 1,086 Posts Drives: 2022 M8cs Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW M8 comp coupe [0.00]	I like the black with white.
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