[Jambo1]

This was a huge miss by BMW in my opinion, as the function itself was super useful in a previous Audi I had. To be able to control the passenger front seat using the driver seat controls is invaluable. It was surprising for me to learn that this wasn't even offered on 5 Series BMWs, and really only in the 7 Series, as a "Gentleman's" Control function.

I did not perform a full DIY instructional on this one, as it has already been done by someone in the G30 forum. The switch bezel itself is slightly shorter on the left, but this is not very noticeable.

The part number we need for our cars is 61-31-6-997-300 (61316997300). I bought it online for $121 including tax and shipping off one of the myriad online BMW parts sites.

You can use the link below as a guide, but I would recommend not performing this as per one of the videos someone has posted on that thread - as it will result in destruction of the original switch. It is better to remove the door card itself using this video:

https://youtu.be/EqDz6SDcEO8

Also, buy a few of the plastic door card retainer clips as they will break. In all my DIYs across different car brands, I've always been able to save and reuse the originals for the most part - but with BMWs, they appear to destruct upon removal as the tip is damaged during the process. Look carefully, as they may not be broken in the normal sense (as in, sheared in half), but rather deformed at the tip so they don't effectively hold the door card tightly against the metal door.

I was too lazy to break out the laptop with E-sys, and so bought Bimmercode and a compatible dongle (wanted to see what all the fuss was about with this). Instructions on activating functionality of the new switch with Bimmercode:

1. seat module driver, enable expert mode > 3000 sm global > gentleman change to aktiv
2. seat module passenger, enable expert mode > 3000 sm global > gentleman change to aktiv

Here is the link to the G30 Forum instructions:

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1507732

[Jakerx]

That’s awesome. Really nice feature. I’m seriously considering doing this now.

Thanks for posting. Do you have pics of the finished product in your M5? I’d like to see the gap you mentioned.

[Jakerx]

Never mind. Just saw pics in the thread you referenced. Looks like a deal breaker but still, great info. Thanks for posting again.

[Jambo1]

The remnants of the line of the old switch doesn’t look that bad actually. It looks better than the ones in the pictures on the other thread.

Also, upon trying to knead out this crease, it appears to level out somewhat. Hoping that overtime it becomes less noticeable. Overall, you hardly notice it at all due to the downward angle of the installed switch as it sits in the door card. You really have to be looking for it to see anything unusual.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by Jambo1

It was surprising for me to learn that this wasn't even offered on 5 Series BMWs, and really only in the 7 Series, as a "Gentleman's" Control function.

The F95 X5M also has the Gentlemen's Control function. It is nice to have.

[Maverik259]

interesting. Definitely like the video of the guy doing it without removing the whole door panel. Knocked it out in less than 5 minutes. Thats a mod i can get behind, lol

[Aronis]

I had that on my A8L, was useful with noobs in the passenger seat would could not figure it out LOL. Reaching the seat controls from the drivers side to the passenger side is a stretch, but it can be done. just not while moving.

Another miss in the M5 is AutoDimming mirror on the passenger side, this is a 7 series thing only. I thought mine was broken, but checked a bunch of 5 series to see that this was not on the M5. My kids CIVIC has it on both mirrors. The Sienna has it on both Mirrors. My Boxster has it on both mirrors. My older kids Subaru has it on both mirrors, his girlfriends older VW has it on both mirrors. Get the drift here BMW. stupid bastards. Every car I have owned since my '94 325is has had it, even a JMC Jimmy that we owned for a few months had that (shitty car, dumped it).

Mike

[Jambo1]

Originally Posted by Aronis

Another miss in the M5 is AutoDimming mirror on the passenger side, this is a 7 series thing only.

Mike

This was one of the other things I was going to look into. Agreed, a very lame thing on BMWs part, as all my prior cars, for the most part, had it. I know our BMW F15 X5 has it, and had just assumed a huge cost cutting effort on the part of BMW after 2017. Just like visors that don’t extend out once against the side door glass…

[micvite]

Originally Posted by Aronis

I had that on my A8L, was useful with noobs in the passenger seat would could not figure it out LOL. Reaching the seat controls from the drivers side to the passenger side is a stretch, but it can be done. just not while moving.

Another miss in the M5 is AutoDimming mirror on the passenger side, this is a 7 series thing only. I thought mine was broken, but checked a bunch of 5 series to see that this was not on the M5. My kids CIVIC has it on both mirrors. The Sienna has it on both Mirrors. My Boxster has it on both mirrors. My older kids Subaru has it on both mirrors, his girlfriends older VW has it on both mirrors. Get the drift here BMW. stupid bastards. Every car I have owned since my '94 325is has had it, even a JMC Jimmy that we owned for a few months had that (shitty car, dumped it).

Mike

Wait what do you mean? All 3 mirrors dim on the m5. It's mercedes that only does the one mirror

Edit: upon checking the manual it would seem you're right, but I could've sworn mine was dimming passenger side as well... (like I could see the electrochromatic outline and everything) and I know for a fact the previous generations dimmed both (in fact I recently replaced a footwear module on an e63 m6 because the mirror wouldn't dim or move)

[Aronis]

I discovered this after my car was repaired and thought it was an issue with that. I ordered a new mirror, and the new mirror arrived BROKEN, so I avoided that cost as in the interim I found out that it does NOT dim on the passenger side. Me and the parts guy walked the lot looking at 5 series vs 7 series and found that to be the case. That is just lame.

Mike

[F30Andy]

This is the mod I never knew I needed!

[Evil Derboy]

Originally Posted by micvite

Wait what do you mean? All 3 mirrors dim on the m5. It's mercedes that only does the one mirror

Edit: upon checking the manual it would seem you're right, but I could've sworn mine was dimming passenger side as well... (like I could see the electrochromatic outline and everything) and I know for a fact the previous generations dimmed both (in fact I recently replaced a footwear module on an e63 m6 because the mirror wouldn't dim or move)

Was a cost cutting exercise at the time by BMW. Even my E92 M3 had a dimming passenger mirror.

[micvite]

Originally Posted by Aronis

I discovered this after my car was repaired and thought it was an issue with that. I ordered a new mirror, and the new mirror arrived BROKEN, so I avoided that cost as in the interim I found out that it does NOT dim on the passenger side. Me and the parts guy walked the lot looking at 5 series vs 7 series and found that to be the case. That is just lame.

Mike

I still could've sworn it dimmed lol... I'll see when the new one gets here.

[micvite]

Originally Posted by Aronis

I discovered this after my car was repaired and thought it was an issue with that. I ordered a new mirror, and the new mirror arrived BROKEN, so I avoided that cost as in the interim I found out that it does NOT dim on the passenger side. Me and the parts guy walked the lot looking at 5 series vs 7 series and found that to be the case. That is just lame.

Mike

The thing is now I'm wondering if you can retrofit the dimming if the 7 series has it considering the drivers side mirror part number is the same for the 5 7 and 8 series, perhaps the passenger side works and just need some wiring and coding assuming bmw didn't already leave the plug there for it.

Looking at the part numbers for the pass side looks like it's the same part number so if the 7 series has electrochromatic capabilities should be able to get it in the 5 and 8s.

[Evil Derboy]

Originally Posted by micvite

The thing is now I'm wondering if you can retrofit the dimming if the 7 series has it considering the drivers side mirror part number is the same for the 5 7 and 8 series, perhaps the passenger side works and just need some wiring and coding assuming bmw didn't already leave the plug there for it.

Looking at the part numbers for the pass side looks like it's the same part number so if the 7 series has electrochromatic capabilities should be able to get it in the 5 and 8s.

No reason why you can’t retrofit it, considering that the dimming mirror is reverses across LHD/RHD cars.

[micvite]

Originally Posted by Moonstone_UK

No reason why you can’t retrofit it, considering that the dimming mirror is reverses across LHD/RHD cars.

Well yeah but then you'd have 2 zoomed in ass mirrors if you did it that way🤣. I'm more thinking if there's a lhd glass that is dimming on a diff model and whether the wiring is there or not (since changing glass is super easy) or whether bmw cheaped out made all the glass dimming for prod cost and just never made it actually dim due to eu regulations.

[crypto]

Originally Posted by Moonstone_UK

No reason why you can't retrofit it, considering that the dimming mirror is reverses across LHD/RHD cars.

Then your passenger mirror wouldn't tilt anymore by using driver mirror from the other vehicle.

[m5 guy]

Switch ordered! I really like oem retrofits like this, details, details.

[micvite]

Originally Posted by crypto

Then your passenger mirror wouldn't tilt anymore by using driver mirror from the other vehicle.

I'm only talking about replacing glass, and specifically from pass side of another model (assuming my understanding is correct that 7 series has dimming)

[Maverik259]

ordered my switch as well.

as far as the passenger dimming mirror. I was glad my 2014 X5 had this and was annoyed when they stopped a few years later for the F15. Makes no sense. How much money is BMW really saving. I know the cars didn't get cheaper as a result!

[Aronis]

Originally Posted by micvite

I still could've sworn it dimmed lol... I'll see when the new one gets here.

Exactly what I thought, but I have three other M5's near by to look at and I did, and was convinced that I was remembering it wrong. Remember I only drove the car for 2 months before my accident. LOL.

Mike

[micvite]

Originally Posted by Aronis

Exactly what I thought, but I have three other M5's near by to look at and I did, and was convinced that I was remembering it wrong. Remember I only drove the car for 2 months before my accident. LOL.

Mike

Yeah I only drove mine for 2 months too