Vstar crystal shifter installed with *new shorter shift rod* [Pics inside]

ashmostro · 05-27-2023, 03:03 PM

So I just installed the well-known Vstar brand crystal shift knob in my LCI car, and I think it looks great. I wasn't actually seeking out a crystal knob so much as a shorter one with the newer style flat-top profile. From my former F90 I found that resting my hand on the shifter while my elbow is on the console lid is very comfortable on longer trips. The odd-shaped standard shifter is not conducive to that on the G30.

The other cool tidbit is that Vstar has engineered a short-rod solution to make the profile much more (if not completely) acceptable. The prior models left the shifter on a tall stalk that looks awkward.

This of course does make the installation a tiny bit more complex in that you have to remove part of the shifter mechanism to swap out the rods, but it's actually very easy and only adds a few minutes overall to the process. I highly recommend going with the short-rod model.

Anyways, on to the pics, and happy to answer any questions.

-Ash

23109VC · 05-28-2023, 07:41 PM

Cost? How long to install?

ashmostro · 05-29-2023, 11:16 AM

Price varies wildly so make sure you search extensively on AliExpress. I paid 150 but I see them go for more than twice that sometimes.

Weird thing is, I also got the crystal I drive controller and engine start button with the order, which I was not expecting.

Took about an hour, taking my time. Realistically can be done way faster than that if you're not doing it for the first time.

fastgoat · 06-01-2023, 03:13 PM

Can you share the link you used?

ashmostro · 06-01-2023, 03:34 PM

You got it

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805369449664.html

Joe-BMW33 · 06-01-2023, 05:17 PM

I’d consider this if it wasn’t a PIA to install. I really love the crystal controls on my X5.

ashmostro · 06-01-2023, 11:44 PM

Why do you think it's a PIA to install? I didn't find it so.

RonronEG · 06-02-2023, 12:18 AM

You could post a DIY guide, ashmostro. I prefer the shifter the car came with and the ceramic controls BUT that crystal start button might even look better than the metal one from the 7. Have pictures of that installed??

ashmostro · 06-02-2023, 04:17 AM

It's already installed, unfortunately.

I can take pics of the start button once I get the car back from paint correction.

Joe-BMW33 · 06-02-2023, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

Why do you think it's a PIA to install? I didn't find it so.

I'm a wuss and don't want to remove the center glove box and the center console wood. If something could get fucked up, I would be the one to do it.

Sam_M550i · 06-02-2023, 06:19 AM

Any video or pictures of the install?

Bama_J · 06-02-2023, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I'm a wuss and don't want to remove the center glove box and the center console wood. If something could get fucked up, I would be the one to do it.

None of that is required for the VSTAR installation.

Bama_J · 06-02-2023, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam_M550i

Any video or pictures of the install?

Here’s the installation instructions

ashmostro · 06-02-2023, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama_J

None of that is required for the VSTAR installation.

Correct, if you are not replacing the rod. If you want to do the shorter rod you do need to remove the console, but as you can see in the video posted above it is really easy.

The trickiest part is the partial disassembly of the shifter mechanism, but imho it's still not that hard.

ashmostro · 06-02-2023, 07:16 AM

Joe-BMW33 · 06-02-2023, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama_J

None of that is required for the VSTAR installation.

Ahh, watched the video, I just assumed this was similar to installing an M5 gear shifter.

Sxs1687 · 06-02-2023, 08:04 AM

Well this looks interesting. I've actually seen this link on AliExpress before. Do you plan on changing your iDrive controller to the provided Crystal one as well?

ashmostro · 06-02-2023, 08:09 AM

No, since I have ceramic controls I am keeping my idrive as is as it feels higher quality. I did change the start stop button though, but might change it back. TBD.

Joe-BMW33 · 06-02-2023, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashmostro

No, since I have ceramic controls I am keeping my idrive as is as it feels higher quality. I did change the start stop button though, but might change it back. TBD.

I like my red start stop button

Chappers 71 · 06-02-2023, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

I like my red start stop button

Ricer!!

Joe-BMW33 · 06-02-2023, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Ricer!!

Hahaha! Touche! Very good Friday jab Chaps! It adds 30 horsepower!

RagingGoat · 06-02-2023, 11:54 PM

I just bought this same kit. Excited to get it done this week 😀

05-27-2023, 03:03 PM	#1
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	*Vstar crystal shifter installed with new shorter shift rod* [Pics inside]** So I just installed the well-known Vstar brand crystal shift knob in my LCI car, and I think it looks great. I wasn't actually seeking out a crystal knob so much as a shorter one with the newer style flat-top profile. From my former F90 I found that resting my hand on the shifter while my elbow is on the console lid is very comfortable on longer trips. The odd-shaped standard shifter is not conducive to that on the G30. The other cool tidbit is that Vstar has engineered a short-rod solution to make the profile much more (if not completely) acceptable. The prior models left the shifter on a tall stalk that looks awkward. This of course does make the installation a tiny bit more complex in that you have to remove part of the shifter mechanism to swap out the rods, but it's actually very easy and only adds a few minutes overall to the process. I highly recommend going with the short-rod model. Anyways, on to the pics, and happy to answer any questions. -Ash Attached Images
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05-28-2023, 07:41 PM	#2
23109VC Captain 452 Rep 675 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW M550i [7.90] 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD [0.00] 2021 Porsche Cayenn ... [10.00]	Cost? How long to install? __________________ Sean 2016 X5 sDrive 35i 2018 M550i
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05-29-2023, 11:16 AM	#3
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Price varies wildly so make sure you search extensively on AliExpress. I paid 150 but I see them go for more than twice that sometimes. Weird thing is, I also got the crystal I drive controller and engine start button with the order, which I was not expecting. Took about an hour, taking my time. Realistically can be done way faster than that if you're not doing it for the first time.
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06-01-2023, 03:13 PM	#4
fastgoat Private First Class 53 Rep 126 Posts Drives: BMW m550i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Can you share the link you used? __________________ 2018 M550ix\| Bluestone Metallic Dinan Stage 1\|2017 Shelby GT350\|2021 Volvo XC-90 Recharge Prior BMW's: 2017 M3 Competition\|2011 135i Stage 2\|2008 535xi Wagon Stage 2\|2014 X5 35i
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06-01-2023, 03:34 PM	#5
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	You got it https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805369449664.html
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06-01-2023, 05:17 PM	#6
Joe-BMW33 Major General 7379 Rep 6,775 Posts Drives: '18 M550i\|'21 X5\|'03 540i Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 VW Tiguan [0.00] 2015 Infiniti QX60 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5 [0.00] 2003 BMW 540i [0.00] 2018 BMW M550 [10.00]	I’d consider this if it wasn’t a PIA to install. I really love the crystal controls on my X5. __________________ 2018 M550ix\|Carbon Black\|Dinan Modifications\|2003 540i\|Jet Black\|M-Sport\|2021 X5 Mineral White Prior BMW's: 1987 325e\|1993 740i\|1998 740il\|2001 530i\|2002 745li\|2007 750li\|2006 750li\|2001 530i\|2012 535xi\|
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06-01-2023, 11:44 PM	#7
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	Why do you think it's a PIA to install? I didn't find it so.
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06-02-2023, 12:18 AM	#8
RonronEG Lieutenant 336 Rep 471 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	You could post a DIY guide, ashmostro. I prefer the shifter the car came with and the ceramic controls BUT that crystal start button might even look better than the metal one from the 7. Have pictures of that installed??
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06-02-2023, 04:17 AM	#9
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	It's already installed, unfortunately. I can take pics of the start button once I get the car back from paint correction.
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06-02-2023, 06:19 AM	#11
Sam_M550i Lieutenant 268 Rep 483 Posts Drives: BMW M550i Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Framingham iTrader: (0)	Any video or pictures of the install? __________________ 2018 BMW M550i \| BM3 stg 1 \| Resonator Delete (X-pipe) \| Dark Graphite Metallic
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06-02-2023, 07:16 AM	#15
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)
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06-02-2023, 08:04 AM	#17
Sxs1687 Second Lieutenant 178 Rep 285 Posts Drives: BMW M550i Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Well this looks interesting. I've actually seen this link on AliExpress before. Do you plan on changing your iDrive controller to the provided Crystal one as well?
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06-02-2023, 08:09 AM	#18
ashmostro Brigadier General 1254 Rep 4,088 Posts Drives: 2020 M4cs \| 2022 M550i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Falls Church, VA iTrader: (27)	No, since I have ceramic controls I am keeping my idrive as is as it feels higher quality. I did change the start stop button though, but might change it back. TBD.
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06-02-2023, 11:54 PM	#22
RagingGoat Private 9 Rep 77 Posts Drives: looking Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: oc iTrader: (2)	I just bought this same kit. Excited to get it done this week 😀
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