BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions Installed Touch Screen HVAC Controller Without Issues So Far

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-29-2020, 01:38 PM   #1
tron1043
First Lieutenant
82
Rep
378
Posts

Drives: G30 540i xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Metro-Detroit

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2013 328i M-Sport  [0.00]
2012 F30 335i  [0.00]
Installed Touch Screen HVAC Controller Without Issues So Far

I love the look of the touch screen HVAC controller. To my surprise, there were a decent number of touch controllers listed on eBay under $400. Thinking that the controller was a shared component with the G11/G12 7-Series, I hoped that I could retrofit the controller without coding. Then I found this thread by a member named Roxxer https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1683132. He retrofitted the part to an X3 without coding. So, I bought a touch screen controller from eBay that also had ceramic controls as a bonus.

I've had it installed for over a week, and haven't had any Check Control errors or issues with the functions. The controller recognized my ventilated and heated seats without an issue.

Really love the way it looks. I especially love that when you turn the temperature knob, the font size temporarily increases. I actually prefer the physical buttons, but love the look. It reminds me of the display screens of single din head units from back in the day before screens were so common in cars.
Attached Images
    
__________________
Appreciate 6
      01-29-2020, 03:36 PM   #2
DBO
First Lieutenant
Australia
158
Rep
322
Posts

Drives: G30 540i SDrive (MPPSK+Mods)
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Brisvegas AU

iTrader: (0)

Great mod man. Nicely done!
Got any photos/steps of how you installed it?

Also, what exactly did you search for to find these on eBay?

Last edited by DBO; 01-29-2020 at 03:41 PM..
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2020, 05:45 PM   #3
AddyDaddy
Major
AddyDaddy's Avatar
United_States
415
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: i5 M60, M5's, 535.335, M550i
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Here

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Looks great. How long did it take?
__________________
2013 535i M, Carbon black 20' 6 M wheels, totaled.
2018 750M ,
2013 M5 , Individual Silver, Bolt ons-Straight piped
2019 M550 686BK Black Chrome 20"wheels, filters, Evolve Stage 1, Res delete
2024 i5 M60 Cape York Green
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2020, 07:35 PM   #4
roxxor
Major
roxxor's Avatar
1118
Rep
1,122
Posts

Drives: 2024 iX50
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (7)

Glad it worked for you! You can find them by searching for BMW G30 Climate, or if you go to the German eBay, then substitute Klima for Climate. It is literally plug and play, just pop the old one out starting at the bottom. Shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes at most.
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2020, 07:51 PM   #5
tron1043
First Lieutenant
82
Rep
378
Posts

Drives: G30 540i xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Metro-Detroit

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2013 328i M-Sport  [0.00]
2012 F30 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by DBO View Post
Great mod man. Nicely done!
Got any photos/steps of how you installed it?

Also, what exactly did you search for to find these on eBay?
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g30-540i-xdrive-lim/repair-manuals/64-heating-air-conditioning/64-11-heater-controls/1VnYzfVQAO


The above instructions were perfect. The only thing I’d add is that clips holding the plastic trim piece where the door meets the dash (in step 1 from the link) is very tightly fitted. I replaced the interior trim in all my past cars, and I was surprised how much tighter the panels are fitted. Also, I found pressing the new controller back into place on the steering wheel side first. There was a panel gap when I pushed in from the passenger side first.

I searched “BMW g30 climate” on eBay. Here’s one link
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-29-2020, 07:54 PM   #6
tron1043
First Lieutenant
82
Rep
378
Posts

Drives: G30 540i xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Metro-Detroit

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2013 328i M-Sport  [0.00]
2012 F30 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by AddyDaddy View Post
Looks great. How long did it take?
Maybe 30-40 minutes. Would take me probably less than 20 minutes to do again now that I’m comfortable with how much force is needed to remove the plastic trim panel where the dash meets the door.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2020, 07:03 PM   #7
AlteBMW
Lieutenant Colonel
AlteBMW's Avatar
United_States
700
Rep
1,571
Posts

Drives: '23 760ix; '23 X3; '23 MB wgn
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
This is a very cool mod. since the panel was for an X3 it would be great for my . . X3. But I can't find it. Could the OP possibly post a link to the German site. TIA.
__________________
BMWCCA
Current: 23 760ix (Carbon Black/Tartufo) (after first one totaled) '23 X3; '23 MB E Wagon
Prior: BMWs (3,5,7 & 8 series (2x!)) X3, MB (C, E, and S), Alfa GTV, MGB, Audi (A4, A6), Saab, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler.
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2020, 07:40 PM   #8
roxxor
Major
roxxor's Avatar
1118
Rep
1,122
Posts

Drives: 2024 iX50
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (7)

Ebay.de, but the panel was not for the X3, so if you are searching for it using G01 or X3, you won’t find it that way. I happened to buy one in anticipation of my G30 I am picking up next week, and noticed it was visually identical to regular one in my G01 X3, and thought “I wonder if it would work”. Sure enough, it did, with a few exceptions as the X3 doesn’t have separate blower fan speeds for driver and passenger.
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2020, 08:27 PM   #9
claykin
Brigadier General
United_States
1579
Rep
4,546
Posts

Drives: various BMW
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Where did these Ebay touch panels come from? Possibly supporting thieves who break into cars.
__________________
2023 840GC | 2021 740i | 2019 X3
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2020, 08:47 PM   #10
tron1043
First Lieutenant
82
Rep
378
Posts

Drives: G30 540i xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Metro-Detroit

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2013 328i M-Sport  [0.00]
2012 F30 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by claykin View Post
Where did these Ebay touch panels come from? Possibly supporting thieves who break into cars.
The one I bought came from an eBay seller that looked like a auto salvage yard. There’s a lot of parts on eBay from totaled cars.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-30-2020, 08:52 PM   #11
roxxor
Major
roxxor's Avatar
1118
Rep
1,122
Posts

Drives: 2024 iX50
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tron1043 View Post
The one I bought came from an eBay seller that looked like a auto salvage yard. There’s a lot of parts on eBay from totaled cars.
Same, mine is from a major auto salvage dealer who has been around for years.
Appreciate 0
      01-31-2020, 10:03 AM   #12
oilandgas
Second Lieutenant
87
Rep
230
Posts

Drives: 2020 BMW M550, 2018 DB11
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tx

iTrader: (0)

I wonder if it's possible to retrofit the 4zone climate into a G30? I tried to order it in the US for a 2020 M550 but was told by the dealer that BMWNA won't order those anymore
Appreciate 0
      01-31-2020, 01:12 PM   #13
ArchieV
Corporal
ArchieV's Avatar
United_States
291
Rep
243
Posts

Drives: 22 540i xDrive
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Great work fitment looks real good! Were you able to remove the necessary panels by hand or did you need to use the panel install/removal clip tools?
__________________
Archie
Appreciate 0
      01-31-2020, 01:40 PM   #14
tron1043
First Lieutenant
82
Rep
378
Posts

Drives: G30 540i xDrive
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Metro-Detroit

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2013 328i M-Sport  [0.00]
2012 F30 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchieV View Post
Great work fitment looks real good! Were you able to remove the necessary panels by hand or did you need to use the panel install/removal clip tools?
I definitely didn’t use the proper BMW tools, but I never plan to install another one again—at least on this car.

You need the right torx bit for a single screw connected to the center trim piece. You need some type of wedge to get the first clip loose from the plastic trim on the side of dash. I ended up using my hands to pull the the original controller out. That took a decent amount of force, but I managed not to break anything.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      01-31-2020, 02:23 PM   #15
roxxor
Major
roxxor's Avatar
1118
Rep
1,122
Posts

Drives: 2024 iX50
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by oilandgas View Post
I wonder if it's possible to retrofit the 4zone climate into a G30? I tried to order it in the US for a 2020 M550 but was told by the dealer that BMWNA won't order those anymore
If money is no object, then yes, you can. I made a parts list when I was looking into the feasibility of doing it, and even with finding some of the parts used at a decent price, it was still around $2,500 if not more. The biggest cost savers would be finding a used rear carpet, as you have to replace that with the version that has room for the rear vents, and then finding a used Distributor Housing from a car with the 4-Zone system. If you manage to get all the parts, then comes the fun challenge of disassembling the entire dash area to replace the housing.
Appreciate 0
      02-13-2020, 01:36 PM   #16
magbarn
Lieutenant
168
Rep
416
Posts

Drives: '17 540i Msport
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Southern CA

iTrader: (0)

Thanks OP!
Just ordered a panel from overseas and did the swap. Had to reboot idrive (holding down volume for over 30 seconds) as it was acting wonky until I did it.
Make sure you get a plastic trim remover. I was able to do it without completely removing the trim piece that goes from passenger out to the Start switch. Definitely insert the driver side first. Came from a totaled car from Europe.
Attached Images
 
__________________
G30 540i Msport
G05 X5 xDrive40i Msport
Retired '03 330i, '10 335d
Appreciate 0
      02-13-2020, 03:50 PM   #17
DBO
First Lieutenant
Australia
158
Rep
322
Posts

Drives: G30 540i SDrive (MPPSK+Mods)
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Brisvegas AU

iTrader: (0)

Did you just swap the lower HVAC section or does the whole assembly include the upper volume and touch buttons as well?
Appreciate 0
      02-13-2020, 04:51 PM   #18
bMm5w
Private First Class
91
Rep
183
Posts

Drives: 2019 M5
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vegas

iTrader: (0)

So is this a BMW OE part, or an aftermarket?
Appreciate 0
      02-13-2020, 05:16 PM   #19
roxxor
Major
roxxor's Avatar
1118
Rep
1,122
Posts

Drives: 2024 iX50
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DirtyVegasMB View Post
So is this a BMW OE part, or an aftermarket?
It’s OEM, just not usually found in the US as it only comes with the 4-Zone Climate Control which is only on the M5 unless you can find a way to bypass BMW NA and get them to special order it for you.
Appreciate 0
      02-13-2020, 05:17 PM   #20
roxxor
Major
roxxor's Avatar
1118
Rep
1,122
Posts

Drives: 2024 iX50
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Florida

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DBO View Post
Did you just swap the lower HVAC section or does the whole assembly include the upper volume and touch buttons as well?
The one I bought came with both pieces, but you can separate it to swap out, which I had to do as the panel I bought had the CD slot, but my 2020 does not have a CD player. No issues with swapping it over.
Appreciate 0
      02-14-2020, 12:47 AM   #21
jwong77
Captain
319
Rep
718
Posts

Drives: 2018 530e
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Pleasanton

iTrader: (7)

Garage List
This is cool, no coding what needed? Did you test the seat heater functions? I see you have ventilated seats on the screen, so would a car without that function not show on the screen?
__________________
2018 BMW 530e Alpine White | Black Napa Leather | Bone Stock
Appreciate 0
      02-14-2020, 11:53 AM   #22
magbarn
Lieutenant
168
Rep
416
Posts

Drives: '17 540i Msport
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Southern CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jwong77 View Post
This is cool, no coding what needed? Did you test the seat heater functions? I see you have ventilated seats on the screen, so would a car without that function not show on the screen?
Seat heater works fine too. Not sure what it would look like if you don't have vented seats as my car has them. I didn't need to code anything.

I didn't bother to pop out the top panel, but I'm thinking now I should have as I just noticed BAND button is labeled differently. Works anyway as before....
__________________
G30 540i Msport
G05 X5 xDrive40i Msport
Retired '03 330i, '10 335d
Appreciate 1
jwong77319.00
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:53 PM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST