I am trying to remove the iDrive controller on my 2010 528i. I've seen a number of videos showing that it is attached to the bottom of the armrest trim. However, they must have made a change in the later years. Mine is in this cradle that is in the console.

Does anyone know if this can be removed without taking apart the whole console?

I just want to replace the buttons.

Thanks.

 

Does this method not work?

 

I took a small piece of vinyl siding I had in my junk bin and just cut a small notch in it. It is pretty thin and I just slid it under the iDrive wheel and pulled up.

 

No. Unfortunately, they changed the design in later years. My controller is not screwed into the underside of the trim. It is in a cradle that is in the console. The trim has a hole that goes around the controller.

Here is a picture of my trim, showing the hole for the controller.

 

Can you elaborate on this? Did it pop out of the cradle? Or were you somehow able to get the cradle to come out?

It seems like those four "feet" sticking out the top and the bottom are in slots in the console. Do they press in so that you can get the cradle out without breaking it?
And how was it to put it back in?

... I just realized you might be talking about the wheel. I want to removed the entire controller. Just like in the video donpb posted. Except mine does not come out that way.

 

I found it to be a complete pain to do it. Finally removed the screws at the front of the console to tilt it up and got a hand in there. That hand got scratched up pretty good. I also hope there's a better way.

 

Thanks. Do you remember how the cradle came out? Do you press in those "feet" at the front and/or back? Or did you unscrew the controller from the cradle, leaving the cradle in?

 

I seem to recall I spent a lot of time squeezing and prying. Putting it back in I think it just snapped in so there must be tabs underneath that one can squeeze. I'm sorry, it was about 5 years ago when I did it.