Installation of Crystal Series Products.

•  Tech-savvy users can install the products themselves.
•  If you are unsure if you can do it, watch the videos and look at the BMW repair manual for your car (see link below).
•  Let an independent BMW workshop do the job if you think it looks too difficult. See Workshops below.

Installation Videos & Installation Instructions.

What drivetrain does my BMW have?
- If your car is of model year 2021 and has a 6-cylinder engine, it's a mild hybrid.
- If your car has an "e" in the model designation, it's a plug-in hybrid.
- If none of these apply, your car is gasoline-powered.

The indicated batteries must be disconnected before installation of the Crystal Series products. If this is ignored, there is risk of short circuit in the center gear console that may render the car undriveable! There is usually one or two 12V batteries in gasoline-powered BMW models, in the trunk and/or under the hood. The mild hybrid BMW models usually have a 12V battery in the trunk and a 48V battery under the hood. Only the negative cable needs to be disconnected. The positive cable can stay connected. No particular reset procedure is required when reconnecting the cables, but you may have to set the clock and make some minor adjustments such as seat memory settings.

Link to BMW repair manual ($30 for 1-day access)

To locate the battery/batteries for your specific BMW model/engine version or to get instructions for how to remove the center gear console, click the link above and select your BMW model or enter your VIN number. Go to Repair Manuals and Technical Data. Then search for:

Disconnecting and connecting battery ground lead
Removing and installing the center console trim

Printed installation instructions are provided with the products. The latest electronic versions can be downloaded below. The level of difficulty for the installation is measured on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 is very easy and 5 is more difficult.

Multimedia Controller Knob	Installation instruction (PDF)
Installation time: 30 min  Difficulty: 3
Start/Stop Button	Installation instruction (PDF)
Installation time: 15 min  Difficulty: 2	Satisfying result!

Gear Shift Knob	Instruction, v. 1 (PDF)         Instruction, v. 2 (PDF)
Installation time: 30 min  Difficulty: 3	Version 1 (video) for brass coil, version 2 for BMW screw.
Volume Button	Installation instruction (PDF)
Installation time: 5 min  Difficulty: 1	Completes the cockpit.

Workshops.

If you need help with your installation, we recommend that you contact an independent BMW workshop. There are two Master workshops that are familiar with our products:

West Coast:

Solely Bimmer
23854 Via Fabricante
MIssion Viejo, CA 92691

949-586-4269

East Coast:

Bimmer Hub
45 North Ave E.
Cranford, NJ 07016

908-463-0499

In other areas, search online. Be aware that not all workshops accept third party parts, so you may need to shop around.

Installation Instructions Updates.

February 17, 2021: In the installation instructions for mild hybrids, the 12V and 48V batteries were mixed up. The 12V battery is a conventional battery in the trunk; the 48V battery is a lithium-ion battery under the hood. The instructions have been corrected.

January 29, 2021: Installation instruction (PDF) for the Crystal Volume Button is now available online.

January 28, 2021: The instructions for the Multimedia Controller Knob have been updated. When installing the transparent ring, it is important not to use force. The ring only fits in one position.

January 25, 2021: Installation of the Crystal Volume Button. Be very careful when you remove the OEM silver ring, so you don't dent it. Use a thick piece of cloth and pliers that are not sharp. Don't press the pliers too hard, don't pull, just wiggle back and forth until the ring snaps off. If you have very strong fingers, you may be able to remove the silver ring using only your hands.

December 17, 2020: The Gear Shift Knob has been redesigned. The original version has a brass coil which is used together with 2 Allen screws to fasten the gear shift knob to the gear shift rod. The new version does not have a brass coil. Instead, BMW:s OEM T10 torx screw is used to attach the gear shift knob to the shift rod. There are now two versions of the PDF instruction available, one for version 1 and one for version 2. The video describes version 1. For some time, both versions of the Crystal Gear Shift Knob will be used in parallel.

December 16, 2020: The instructions for the Multimedia Controller Knob have been updated. Some customers prefer to unplug the ribbon cable, while others prefer not to. It is up to the installer to decide what works best. The reason the instructions say to remove not just the touchpad surface layer but also the adhesive film under is to achieve a tight fit. If you have a leased car and are concerned about restoring the iDrive controller, you may want to leave the adhesive film on the printed circuit board.

November 16, 2020: Recommendations from the manufacturer detail that vehicle batteries must be disconnected before installation of all Crystal Series products, not just the Crystal Gear Shift Knob. Exception: plug-in hybrid models.

August 28, 2020: When installing the Start/Stop Button, it is recommended that you let the sticky rubber set for about 5 minutes after you have attached and formed it, before trying to pull out the original start button. This will make the material stronger. If this does not work either, you can heat up the original start button slightly with a hairdryer set on Low before attaching the rubber.

Compatibility Update.

August 28, 2020: Gear Shift Knob lights. Your BMW was shipped from the factory with the base gear lever with just one light (the P button). Our product uses the available voltage primarily to power the model logo with a bright white light. The remainder is used for the P button. It will light up with an amber light, the intensity will depend on model and equipment level. (If you were to install BMW:s crystal gear shift knob, only the P button would light up, not the model logo.)