There is an OEM solution for cars with manual aswell. :)

Part number 51168045434 for LCI and 51168037213 for pre. This replaces the little tray in front of the gear leaver. Not the best solution I've seen, but it is OEM.

http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/v/z/252.png

#18.

O yeah! I've seen that "oddments tray" before. Sheeesh tho $81.89!!! I think I'll go to radio shack and find the best alternative button and just install that. Plus this way I can keep my ash tray power socket.

Doesn't parts #12 & #13 have the holes for the sport button as well?

Anyone know which part # for the oem Contacts?

Yes, #12 = Auto & #13 = SMG.

Ahhhh ... That's where it goes ... I was only lookin' at the shifter face plate. :thumbsup:

... but wait I think 51168045434 still for pre-LCI just w/o the 12v socket while 51168037213 has it.

Jaaahh ... I know plus the button itself @ $70+ ...

If you feel adventurous ... what I did I took out the wire socket out from a busted PC fan that has 3 wires and re-use the whole length of wires ... just carefully expand the contacts so it'll bite on the pin the size fit perfectly even the little tab hold the wires in the plastic housing snugly.

After that I just extend the wires out of pin #8 & #10 to a switch but left the #9 for now since I'm not using it just yet.

ok, now i'm confused, ive got everything apart, everything looks as desribed. I've unplugged the specified plug...i have 2 wires going to a pushbutton momentary switch. Am I supposed to put one wire each in hole 8 and 10 and then try to cram the plug back into the slot with the pins down in there? I dont see how it will plug back in correctly with the other wires in there...Am I missing something?

Take of the cover on the plug and try there.