[orionstudt]

MrPickles PNTDG42 OriginalFake

Alright I've got some info.

Attached image is a comparison of both dash pieces.

The top piece is the M-Performance dash.

The bottom piece is the original (non-M) dash. Important to note that this is the standard ambient lightning, not the M-ambient.

Notice that the M-performance dash has 2 female connectors and the original dash has 1 female. My technician said that in order to connect them you would need a splitter or Y-connector to connect the 1 male from the head unit to the 2 females on the M-performance dash piece.

I obviously didn't have that adapter so I'm running without it connected, so I can't help beyond that. But hopefully the picture is helpful!

Tomorrow I can take a closer look at the original now that it is removed, maybe on the connector itself I can give the specs of the port.

[orionstudt]

And here are some before & afters

[orionstudt]

Night time update - I have ambient lighting on the dash with the single connector that my technician did! This is without the splitter they mentioned. I have confirmed that it is controllable via the interior lighting settings in iDrive. Picture attached

[PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT]

Very hard to look at your photos on a computer. Really don’t want to have to turn my screen.

[orionstudt]

Originally Posted by PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT

Very hard to look at your photos on a computer. Really don’t want to have to turn my screen.

Not sure why they appear like that. They were vertical when posted. I think it's because they were vertical mobile pictures and this website is dumbly rotating them since they are taller than they are wider.

Not gonna be bothered to fix it, I see that as a site problem not a me problem!

[PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT]

So the M Performance trim illumination—will that change color, depending on the color you have in the rest of the car?

[orionstudt]

Originally Posted by PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT

So the M Performance trim illumination—will that change color, depending on the color you have in the rest of the car?

Yes it does!

[cannockwolf]

I would have gone for genuine steering wheel trim on mine but only if i could have got it with the leather parts (sides of bottom stalk) in alcantara to match the rest of my trims but i can only find it like that without the heater button hole

[orionstudt]

Originally Posted by cannockwolf

I would have gone for genuine steering wheel trim on mine but only if i could have got it with the leather parts (sides of bottom stalk) in alcantara to match the rest of my trims but i can only find it like that without the heater button hole

Yea that’s a shame. I prefer the leather to the alcantara but the alcantara knee pads are nice. Despite the slightly larger gaps that the center console pieces add

[cannockwolf]

I have the sestbacks, armrest and knee pads in Alcantara so would like it to match if I'm spending that much

[PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT]

Originally Posted by cannockwolf

I would have gone for genuine steering wheel trim on mine but only if i could have got it with the leather parts (sides of bottom stalk) in alcantara to match the rest of my trims but i can only find it like that without the heater button hole

Looky looky

https://autotecknic.com/collections/...m-g8x-m2-m3-m4

[cannockwolf]

Originally Posted by PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT

Looky looky

https://autotecknic.com/collections/...m-g8x-m2-m3-m4

Ahhhg gloss cf 🤪🤣

[PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT]

Originally Posted by cannockwolf

Ahhhg gloss cf ����

Ah, I guess you have matt then? I prefer matt too. Could always spray it with matt varnish!

[OriginalFake]

Nice! So the M Performance trim still has a strip of ambient light. I like that a whole lot. Thank you for the details and the pictures!

[Sonic RR]

Originally Posted by orionstudt

Here’s the part on bmw USA which includes dash plate:
https://www.shopbmwusa.com/product/1...IBER-ALCANTARA

I ordered it from Paddleshifterz into the US. Here is their link:
https://paddleshifterz.com/product/o...-95-5-a42-429/

However it looks like their site is currently down.

Where did you get the crystal start? Ali?


Sonic

[orionstudt]

Originally Posted by Sonic RR

Where did you get the crystal start? Ali?


Sonic

Crystal stop/start is Kies https://www.kiesmotorsports.com/prod...ystal-versions

[blueshead]

Originally Posted by orionstudt

Night time update - I have ambient lighting on the dash with the single connector that my technician did! This is without the splitter they mentioned. I have confirmed that it is controllable via the interior lighting settings in iDrive. Picture attached

Can you confirm if the ID8 Screen has to be removed?
Have been dithering about buying the MP trims for ages but admittedly the thought of removing the screen is putting me off.
I'd love if someone could confirm that it has to be removed rather than "might be best" if it was removed??

[orionstudt]

Originally Posted by blueshead

Can you confirm if the ID8 Screen has to be removed?
Have been dithering about buying the MP trims for ages but admittedly the thought of removing the screen is putting me off.
I'd love if someone could confirm that it has to be removed rather than "might be best" if it was removed??

It has to be removed, there are no if ands or buts. The driver side mount points for the trim piece are behind the screen and you have no leverage or room to unclip them without the screen removed. The shop I took it to removed the screen to do it.

[PNTDG42]

Originally Posted by orionstudt

Night time update - I have ambient lighting on the dash with the single connector that my technician did! This is without the splitter they mentioned. I have confirmed that it is controllable via the interior lighting settings in iDrive. Picture attached

Awesome, thanks for sharing so much, you clarified many questions for me. I am surprised to see that the G8X style dash trim has TWO connectors for that strip. Comparing your photo of it lit up, I think I see where the other connector would illuminate. When I look at the G8X interior ambient lighting photos, the ambient strip appears to continue further towards the center of the car and curve downwards towards the shifter maybe 2 inches or so. Yours seems to cutoff before the turn-down. So maybe that second connector is what illuminates that last extra couple inches??? :shrug:

EDIT: forget everything I said. What I just described I believe is a different in ID7 versus ID8 ambient on that panel. Because I just looked up a ID8 M3 ambient light, and it looks like yours. So I really wonder what that second connector is for!

[blueshead]

Originally Posted by orionstudt

It has to be removed, there are no if ands or buts. The driver side mount points for the trim piece are behind the screen and you have no leverage or room to unclip them without the screen removed. The shop I took it to removed the screen to do it.

Many thanks for the clarification. Your dash and wheel trim combo looks fantastic!
Don't suppose anybody out there has found a howto on removing ID8 screen/fitting MPerf Dash trims - all my research has come up blank???
Still a bit discouraged but not completely put off until I see what's entailed.

[blueshead]

Finally got round to installing the kit myself. You might find some useful information here.
https://www.babybmw.net/threads/inst...removal.153402

Note: This is for a RHD vehicle - Pt No for LHD is 51 95 5 A42 425

[WA]

Originally Posted by blueshead

Finally got round to installing the kit myself. You might find some useful information here.
https://www.babybmw.net/threads/inst...removal.153402

Looks great. I had mine done recently as well, and while expensive, no regrets. Except not doing it as a "port installed option" as I think it might have been to save time/money/hassle.

So much better than the original gloss black, that I just hate. I had the aluminum for the center console, but the large piece above the vents and glove box of course was the gloss black.