toyota2bmw

I've been fiddling around trying to upgrade the boring ol' SMG knob of the non-M cars to the M5 knob. It wasn't too hard to find the night illumination wires but the other zone lighting wires work a bit differently from non-M to the M. The non-M's "N" selection is a constant 12V because it also serves as a wake-up light. The "R" and "A/S" zones work the same. Has anyone been successful with this mod? I remember seeing a post about aftermarketbulb.com or something like that but $99 for just the wiring seems a bit much. Any help would be great!

SmG-Deuce

im also interested in this upgrade try google : "m5 smg shift knob" . it helped me a little bit....but to make the illumination of the gears its gonna be a bit on the expense side pm member bruce.

manny e65

I have done this ..I could tell you how to hook it up..let me know..thanks..

toyota2bmw

please, please, please??? I think it'd be beneficial for the members if you could do a quick DIY on it.

toyota2bmw

I think I have it almost figured out. I believe my problem is I wanted to keep the original display of gear changes as well as the M5 knob lights. I've made a harness using OEM parts to this fact and I think that's screwing me up a bit. Here's what I know so far.

pin 1, 2, 3 on the M5 shift knob is R, N, D respectively 4 & 5 are night illum. and 6 is constant 12V +

so,

i've got a constant 12V + from the SMG plug next to the shifter
i've got the 4, 5 night illum from the original display on the trim
pin 1, 2, 3 line up identical to the M5 knob from the display according to the test light on my circuit tester
it should be just a matter of lining these up. i will try my theory in the next day or so and report back.

But I am really hoping SMG-Deuce puts up a nice DIY before I try this! Thanks SMG_Deuce in advance!!!

manny e65

M5 Shift Knob retrofit.
wires from m5 shifter
1(white wire) R indicator
2 N indicator
3 D/S indicator
4 ground dim lighting
5 +12 driving light illunation
6 +12

(X1599)
Large White Connector
brown
red
orange
yellow
(X1193)
Small white Connector
gray/red
brown/black
(X1600)
Small Maroon/or Purple Connector
blue/white
red/orange

the connections
from M5 wires
1.wire to (X1599) red
(start from the White wire)
2.wire to (X1599) orange
3.wire to (X1599) yellow
4.wire to (X1193) grey/red
5.wire to (X1193) brown/black
6.wire to (X1600) red/orange

I have 2005 530i (I used only used wire "tap in" from Radio Shack..)
Hope this helps..someone should do a DIY..sorry no pictures..

toyota2bmw

Thanks for the write up but are you sure this is the wiring for an SMG car? It sounds like it's for a regular automatic with steptronic tranny.

2exclusive

this place has the kit already made for smg--- 100.00

http://www.aftermarketbulbsshop.com/category-s/307.htm

toyota2bmw

Been there done that. I pinged them to see if it was applicable in my case but they don't have one.
I've been tinkering with the SMG plug next to the shifter but there are 12 pins I have to fiddle with to see which is which.
Unless someone posts a diagram for the plug, I am just about to give up at this point. Too much work.

toyota2bmw

Hear ye, hear ye!!!
Finally, I have found a way and it was on the web all this time. I have followed this step-by-step and succeeded.
See thread http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=969209
The optional part where you have to solder 3 wires onto the board seems a bit weary at first but if I can do it, it's doable for 90% of you out there.
Pictures to follow! WooHoo ~~~