[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by jcortez75

Here is a crystal shifting knob you can retrofit in Amazon https://amzn.to/2yvu1m7

Did you install one on your vehicle?
Is this something that needs to be done at the dealership? (Will they even agree to install an aftermarket part?)

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

Did you install one on your vehicle?
Is this something that needs to be done at the dealership? (Will they even agree to install an aftermarket part?)

If your dealer is like most I've encountered in the past 30 years, they will likely not install it.

But you should be able to take it to a 3rd party independent shop and they can do it for you.

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by thenew3

If your dealer is like most I've encountered in the past 30 years, they will likely not install it.

But you should be able to take it to a 3rd party independent shop and they can do it for you.

Gotcha, that makes sense why they won't touch it.
I've seen many aftermarket crystal shift knobs for sale on Amazon and AliExpress. Essentially, they are all the same (Made in China). I wonder if anyone has one installed and could provide feedback on their performance and reliability.

PS: I found an installation guide online with a scary warning that the iDrive can be damaged and the vehicle must be towed to the dealer to replace and reprogram the new iDrive.
https://www.car-analysis.com/BMW-Cry...stallation.htm, The project of swapping the part, is straightforward, but the outcome may be costly if things are not aligned properly.

[ivinioX7]

An update for my post above; I purchased the kit from Aliexpress, and today it was installed.

I am not confident that the electronic part in the Chinese shift knob will last long without damaging the I-Drive, so I decided to keep the original inner parts and replace just the crystal knob.
Yes, the X in the middle of the knob does not illuminate, but I can live with that, especially since I don't like too many lights.
The start-bottom replacement was easy, and it fit like a glove.
Things were not so smooth with the round glass I-Drive controller. The chrome ring does not lock fully on one side, the rotating disk does not feel smooth as it used to, and it seems that there's friction with the new chrome ring. Bummer.
I'll give it another look, if no success I will install the OEM part back to its place.

[darrenchan0321]

Aftermarket Shift Knobs: https://www.coolshiftknobs.com/produ...al-shift-knob/