BMWs have great motors, handling, etc. However, after driving BMWs for over 20 years, one thing I have noticed is that BMW does not make durable plastic parts for the interior.

Case and point: 2001 X5 3.0i, a little over 5 years old, with 140K+ miles, have developed a crack on one of the climate control buttons. The crack split the button in half. In fact, Michelle had the same thing happened on her 2001 X5 4.4i as well. She gave me a heads up about buying the whole set of buttons.

Of course, BMW stocks these buttons (as if they knew that people would develop cracked buttons).

Picked up the parts at Crevier and even with the discount, the set of buttons cost $55. (part# 64-11-6-924-315 SET CAPS) List $68.75.

I couldn't just by one, I had to buy a whole set. Now, the interesting thing is that the buttons come attached to an air conditioning control panel. YOU ARE NOT TO REUSE THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL PANEL.

In fact, there is a sticker in German & English that states: ATTENTION!!! THIS IS NOT AN AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL PANEL!! PLEASE TAKE THE REQUIRED CAP AS A SINGLE PART OUT OF THE PANEL!!!

Basically, they used this air conditioning panel to house the "caps"/buttons.

As you can see in the pics, here is my split button for the "blue/colder temp" for the driver's side.

Step 1: Remove broken/split caps/buttons from your X5's air conditioning control panel

Step 2: Remove the new caps/buttons from the "fake" air conditioning control panel from the new set of caps/buttons (push it out from behind the panel)

Step 3: Insert the new cap/button on your air conditioning control panel by inserting the top of the button first and then the button part of the caps/button snaps in. Voila, it is done.

REMEMBER: YOU DO NOT REPLACE THE AIR CONDITIONING PANEL AT ALL!!
The Crevier parts guy told me a funny story. He had sold a set to another customer and even warned him that you just use the caps off the panel and only replace the caps. The customer called back and angrily accused Crevier parts dept. of selling him a used air conditioning panel since there are marks on it (therefore, you don't use the panel to replace your air conditioning panel) Finally, the customer came back and parts guy showed him that you do remove the cap from the panel to replace your broken cap.


Keep your set of buttons because I am sure the other buttons on the climate control panel will split. In fact, I am starting to form a hairline split on the driver's side "red/warmer temp" button as well.

Bottom pics: My old split cap & the new caps housed on the "fake" air conditioning panel.

Attached Images

  

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