[jsukys24]

Hello All,

Recently picked up a 2021 X3 30i xDrive and have really been enjoying the vehicle and this forum. Thank you all for adding to the ownership experience.

We got a great deal on a dealer’s courtesy vehicle, though as beggars couldn’t be choosers, we ended up with the gloss wood instead of the lovely matte wood trim. There is piano black trim around the iDrive controller and the shift joystick. It seems in the matte wood trim that the segment around the iDrive controller should be wood as well based on video reviews, but I’m not sure if that just doesn’t apply to the gloss wood or if that is a unique feature of my courtesy vehicle to save production costs. My questions are:

1) Should this panel around the iDrive controller be wood instead of piano black? And if so is there any recourse to be discussed with the dealer?

And 2) Does anyone have recommendations of how to cover or replace the piano black on the rest of the lower console? It’s a high traffic hand/wallet/phone area and seems like it’s gonna scratch up (even more) very quickly.

Thanks,
Jordan

[zukmeister]

i have wood in mine around the screen and doors but by idrive wheel it's piano black so it matches yours. My car is new but I imagine in like 3 months that thing is going to be scratched to shit.

[NoMoreVauxhalls]

Hey jsukys24, and welcome to the forum! A few people on here have seen their X3s turn up with piano black around the centre console/iDrive, instead of the the trim that they ordered. Seems like the dealer can replace this if it was a production mistake.

See here for a thread on this: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1820830

As yours isn't a custom order, I'm not sure what recourse you'll have. Although, I'm sure that they can replace that trim for a fee...

[fndrplayer13]

2021 models have black piano trim everywhere around the shifter and idrive. Mine has it too and its a bit annoying. I just clean it carefully and its still in very good condition with no scratches. My model 3 also has black piano trim everywhere and its also in good condition.

When you clean it, pre-wet a clean microfiber and gently wipe up the dust. Then, do a second round with a clean microfiber face, and then dry. Dry and wipe in one direction.

[M40i4me]

I ordered my 2021 with carbon fiber trim and it came with carbon fiber around the iDrive controller. Are you saying every other trim choice defaults to piano black?

[fndrplayer13]

Originally Posted by 3284me

I ordered my 2021 with carbon fiber trim and it came with carbon fiber around the iDrive controller. Are you saying every other trim choice defaults to piano black?

I'm fairly certain this is true of every 2021 model, unless you have CF.

[earck]

Can confirm that my 2021 x30i with matte oak trim (I think?) has piano black in the center console.

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by fndrplayer13

I'm fairly certain this is true of every 2021 model, unless you have CF.

I wonder if the LCI will change that?

[Alias1431]

Doubt it. They want to sell more X5's, and instead of making the X5 a more compelling choice, they compromise the X3.

[Sylver327]

I think 2021 models are supposed to have all piano black around the iDrive controller. I also got matte fineline cove wood trim and hated the piano black around the controller so much that I ordered a replacement console trim piece--

https://www.bmwpartsdeal.com/parts/b...166822051.html

The check fit list only goes up to 2019, but it fits in my 2021. I hated spending over $300 on this kind of thing, but I really hated that piano black that much and it looks so much better now. It wasn't hard to install at all; I found a video on YouTube and it took just a couple minutes. Now I just wish I could find something to prevent scratches on the rest of the piano black :\

[msg617]

Originally Posted by Sylver327

I think 2021 models are supposed to have all piano black around the iDrive controller. I also got matte fineline cove wood trim and hated the piano black around the controller so much that I ordered a replacement console trim piece--

https://www.bmwpartsdeal.com/parts/b...166822051.html

The check fit list only goes up to 2019, but it fits in my 2021. I hated spending over $300 on this kind of thing, but I really hated that piano black that much and it looks so much better now. It wasn't hard to install at all; I found a video on YouTube and it took just a couple minutes. Now I just wish I could find something to prevent scratches on the rest of the piano black :\

Can you post a photo of how this looks?

[Monoblock]

Originally Posted by Sylver327

It wasn't hard to install at all; I found a video on YouTube and it took just a couple minutes.

Can you post a link to the video you found? A couple minutes looking only found one for an F25. Thanks!

[Bigspence]

Can this be plasti wrapped?

[cadman50]

Originally Posted by M40i4me

I ordered my 2021 with carbon fiber trim and it came with carbon fiber around the iDrive controller. Are you saying every other trim choice defaults to piano black?

I ordered mine with CF trim but it came with piano black around the iDrive as well as the rest of the center console. I've never seen CF around the center console. Do they make a CF trim piece for our 2021's that we can order?

The piano black causes a terrible sun reflection into the eyes sometimes. It's blinding! I hate it.

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by cadman50

I ordered mine with CF trim but it came with piano black around the iDrive as well as the rest of the center console. I've never seen CF around the center console. Do they make a CF trim piece for our 2021's that we can order?

The piano black causes a terrible sun reflection into the eyes sometimes. It's blinding! I hate it.

I don’t believe BMW makes a complete OEM CF center console trim. There are after market ones out there, but not sure they would perfectly match your existing dash trim.

[kscarrol]

They make one which has the CF around the iDrive but not a full CF console. Early '21 cars ordered with CF option came with piano black which is what I got in my Sept '20 build M40. I recall seeing later '21 MY orders coming with the CF around the iDrive. Ordered the piece myself...

[cadman50]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

They make one which has the CF around the iDrive but not a full CF console. Early '21 cars ordered with CF option came with piano black which is what I got in my Sept '20 build M40. I recall seeing later '21 MY orders coming with the CF around the iDrive. Ordered the piece myself...

My X3 was ordered beginning of November, 2020 so I guess that's why I have the full piano black. I looked at getbmwparts and shopbmwusa for that carbon fiber trim piece but couldn't find it. Can you post the part number, cost and site you used to order it? Was it easy to install?
Thanks.

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

They make one which has the CF around the iDrive but not a full CF console. Early '21 cars ordered with CF option came with piano black which is what I got in my Sept '20 build M40. I recall seeing later '21 MY orders coming with the CF around the iDrive. Ordered the piece myself...

Yep, my build was April 2021 and came with CF as you posted.

[kscarrol]

I’ll dig it up for you. Ordered through dealer, friendly with parts manager and he gives great prices. I ordered not long after I got my car and recall I had to look it up as an X3M part but let me find it. Dealer did the install as well while I had them install the CF steering wheel cover.

Edit: here is the part number.

51-16-8-072-940

[Isawelvis]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

They make one which has the CF around the iDrive but not a full CF console. Early '21 cars ordered with CF option came with piano black which is what I got in my Sept '20 build M40. I recall seeing later '21 MY orders coming with the CF around the iDrive. Ordered the piece myself...

Do you have the part number?

[X3Bimmer]

We picked up our '21 X3 M40i at the Performance Center last week. It was spec'd with the CF trim which included it at the control knob only. I would also like to find a matching CF trim option for the shifter side. We also received the wireless charging pad because which includes the additional WiFi optional capabilities which I care more about…

[Posull78]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

They make one which has the CF around the iDrive but not a full CF console. Early '21 cars ordered with CF option came with piano black which is what I got in my Sept '20 build M40. I recall seeing later '21 MY orders coming with the CF around the iDrive. Ordered the piece myself...

Did you install yourself? Was it easy? Can’t find a video on YouTube.