Handbrake handle replacement done
05-28-2012, 07:13 AM
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Hi everyone,
Thought I'd share this incase it is of interest.
I decided to change the handbrake handle on the 550i that I recently bought as it was looking a bit worn. I have a beige interior and thought this would also be a good opportunity to change the black handle for one that better matched.
I found that there isn't an E60 part number for a beige handle - only for a black one. But RealOEM confirmed to me that the E60 handbrake handle 34408036495 is common to many different BMWs:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref....495&showeur=on
So therefore, a handbrake handle meant for any one of these other series would fit the E60.
I quickly found a beige one amongst the Z4 parts:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=34&fg=30&hl=8
I ordered one from the dealer; it looked like a reasonable colour match so I have now fitted it.
Some images below showing the process. The part I didn't enjoy was removing the leather boot but it's easy once you know how. I have shown some pics of the clip locations in case it helps other people. I would say the best way to remove is to firstly use your fingers in the space between the handbrake and the centre console and push the base of the boot in towards you i.e. bend it inward to create an openening, rather than just pulling the boot upward by grabbing the leather (I had already read on here that pulling on the leather is a bad idea). Once you have a gap you can get your fingers under the boot and pull it out without having to the pull on the leather at all. It does take some force, but the boot frame is tough and flexible part.
The handle itself is a simple push on/off. Make sure you have a new cable tie to replace the one which holds the boot to the handle.
As you can see, the new handle is quite a good match, if a little light. But I prefer it to the black. There may be other shades of beige available in the parts for the other series - I only looked at Z4.
Thought I'd share this incase it is of interest.
I decided to change the handbrake handle on the 550i that I recently bought as it was looking a bit worn. I have a beige interior and thought this would also be a good opportunity to change the black handle for one that better matched.
I found that there isn't an E60 part number for a beige handle - only for a black one. But RealOEM confirmed to me that the E60 handbrake handle 34408036495 is common to many different BMWs:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref....495&showeur=on
So therefore, a handbrake handle meant for any one of these other series would fit the E60.
I quickly found a beige one amongst the Z4 parts:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=34&fg=30&hl=8
I ordered one from the dealer; it looked like a reasonable colour match so I have now fitted it.
Some images below showing the process. The part I didn't enjoy was removing the leather boot but it's easy once you know how. I have shown some pics of the clip locations in case it helps other people. I would say the best way to remove is to firstly use your fingers in the space between the handbrake and the centre console and push the base of the boot in towards you i.e. bend it inward to create an openening, rather than just pulling the boot upward by grabbing the leather (I had already read on here that pulling on the leather is a bad idea). Once you have a gap you can get your fingers under the boot and pull it out without having to the pull on the leather at all. It does take some force, but the boot frame is tough and flexible part.
The handle itself is a simple push on/off. Make sure you have a new cable tie to replace the one which holds the boot to the handle.
As you can see, the new handle is quite a good match, if a little light. But I prefer it to the black. There may be other shades of beige available in the parts for the other series - I only looked at Z4.
05-31-2012, 02:57 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530xi: Sport, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, HD Radio, SAT, Custom NCS coded options 2008 535xi: Sport, Night Vision, NAV, PDC, HUD, Cold Wthr, CA, Logic 7, SAT, Custom NCS coded options, Rear Seat Heat Retrofit, Passport 9500ci
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
good choice.
06-10-2012, 04:31 PM
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My Ride: 2008 AW N52 with sports package & premium package; natural brown interior
MODs:
Orion V2s
3000K H8 Yellow Fogs
Matte Black Kidney Grills
20" Miro 111
Hankook V12 Tires
H&R Sport Springs
Special coding via Simon (dbl flash hazards, digital velocity, etc.)
LED Side Markers from Trinity Autosports
LED License Plate Lights from Trinity Autosports
Carbon Delete
BMC Air Filter
RPI Scoop
RPI GT Exhaust
Future MODs:
Mtech Kit
KW Variant 2 Coilovers
CIC Retrofit
Upgrade Audio System
Looks good. How much was the part?
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