2008 red start/stop button

tony093 · 02-07-2019, 07:52 PM

Has anybody done the red start/stop button in a 08 M3?
I can't seem to figure out how to take the button apart. The diy that I found doesn't apply for a 2008 it seems like...thx!

Scrippy · 02-07-2019, 08:14 PM

Pull out the whole middle dash piece and it's right there. Unplug the button and remove. It pulls straight away from dash. Don't just pull from one side or you may damage it. Pull from one side a little then, the opposite and then middle. There are no screws just pressure posts.

6ixSpd · 02-07-2019, 09:11 PM

What difference does it make if it's 08 or not? The installation is exactly the same. Only the trim surround is designed differently for 08 vs 09 and up

tony093 · 02-07-2019, 09:21 PM

It looks like the silver ring doesn't come apart like it does in the later model

amrazM · 02-07-2019, 09:31 PM

Pre 03/08 build it does come apart just pull the trim off and remove the switch.

InnerBlueSkies · 02-07-2019, 09:37 PM

How much HP does it add?

LuckiSevens · 02-07-2019, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony093

Has anybody done the red start/stop button in a 08 M3?
I can't seem to figure out how to take the button apart. The diy that I found doesn't apply for a 2008 it seems like...thx!

Why do you need a red button - is it really worth dismantling the dash?

tony093 · 02-07-2019, 10:19 PM

I'm doing the red start/stop and M button mod

4151zero · 02-07-2019, 10:42 PM

The blue is the faster version. Dyno proven.

SAMM3Y · 02-07-2019, 10:50 PM

Start by prying off the far right hand side of trim (next to the passenger right vent) a few of the plastic retainers will probably break, you can get a pack on amazon for $8 for 20. Use an interior/nylon pry bar kit you can pick up for $6. I did mine recently for vent repair, my car is an 08 too.. I dunno about the trim for the switch but when I was looking at doing that someone on eBay sells a whole switch assembly with red button and trim for $40. I just can't bring myself to spend $60 on the ind set, so I left it.

InnerBlueSkies · 02-08-2019, 09:24 AM

Lets end this madness Minute 3:50

tony093 · 02-08-2019, 09:47 AM

Thanks guys!!!

firstbimmer · 02-08-2019, 10:22 AM

Yes. Some of this advice sounds opposite of every DIY I've seen. I just replaced my start button a couple weeks ago. There are MANY youtube videos to watch and learn. I suggest watching as many as you can until you can remember each step. Some videos leave out the part about the button assembly having to be released from the back side by two clips.

From my experience, its very easy if you know what your doing. And i am not good at this stuff. Get a plastic pry tool for a couple bucks. Start prying the trim from the edge next to steering wheel (YouTube will show exact spot to insert tool). You do not need to remove entire trim, about 2/3 will give easy access. Then reach around and disconnect the wire from button assembly, videos will show connection. Then next part was most difficult for me. You have to release the button assembly from back side (unless its been done so many times the tabs are broken). On mine, it had never been done so i had to find the tabs on each side of the assembly that are on back side of trim and press them down so button assembly will slide forward. Once you get it out, take it to a table and use a small tool to pop the surround off (again, YouTube is your friend and many detailed videos show this. Then its just popping the button off and placing new button in place and reassembly.

I can't emphasize enough that if your a newbie like me to doing this, watch as many YouTube videos as you can as some are way more detailed about each step. I would pause and watch again at each step and it was super easy.

jballer123 · 02-09-2019, 01:44 PM

Heres mine, i think it makes the interior more modern

Camnyc · 02-10-2019, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jballer123

Heres mine, i think it makes the interior more modern

where did you find the trim piece for the button, mine is starting to peel and this is an attractive solution. thanks in advance

IntegraXTR · 02-11-2019, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony093

Has anybody done the red start/stop button in a 08 M3?
I can't seem to figure out how to take the button apart. The diy that I found doesn't apply for a 2008 it seems like...thx!

I have an 08, this is how I did mine

tony093 · 02-11-2019, 02:10 PM

I figured it out....thanks guys!!!

nyfg56 · 04-21-2019, 05:08 AM

Where are you guys buying the red button?

tony093 · 04-21-2019, 05:24 AM

I purchased mine from iIND

02-07-2019, 07:52 PM	#1
tony093 Captain 111 Rep 746 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodbridge, NJ iTrader: (2)	2008 red start/stop button Has anybody done the red start/stop button in a 08 M3? I can't seem to figure out how to take the button apart. The diy that I found doesn't apply for a 2008 it seems like...thx!
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02-07-2019, 08:14 PM	#2
Scrippy Lord Scrip 1812 Rep 3,013 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: LA,Ca iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	Pull out the whole middle dash piece and it's right there. Unplug the button and remove. It pulls straight away from dash. Don't just pull from one side or you may damage it. Pull from one side a little then, the opposite and then middle. There are no screws just pressure posts. __________________
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02-07-2019, 09:11 PM	#3
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6015 Rep 6,745 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	What difference does it make if it's 08 or not? The installation is exactly the same. Only the trim surround is designed differently for 08 vs 09 and up __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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02-07-2019, 09:21 PM	#4
tony093 Captain 111 Rep 746 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodbridge, NJ iTrader: (2)	It looks like the silver ring doesn't come apart like it does in the later model
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02-07-2019, 09:31 PM	#5
amrazM mTekMods 2139 Rep 2,899 Posts Drives: like a granny. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Manhatan iTrader: (1)	Pre 03/08 build it does come apart just pull the trim off and remove the switch. __________________ 2011 Frozen Black/Fox Red E90 M3 650+WHP G-Power Supercharged First DCT to Manual Conversion Worldwide KW CS, BBS RI-A, BW Headers, Snow 2.5
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02-07-2019, 09:37 PM	#6
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1093 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	How much HP does it add?
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02-07-2019, 10:19 PM	#8
tony093 Captain 111 Rep 746 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodbridge, NJ iTrader: (2)	I'm doing the red start/stop and M button mod
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02-07-2019, 10:42 PM	#9
4151zero HOV clogger 134 Rep 262 Posts Drives: ///M5 and i3 BEV Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: SFO NORCAL iTrader: (4)	The blue is the faster version. Dyno proven.
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02-07-2019, 10:50 PM	#10
SAMM3Y Colonel 3085 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	Start by prying off the far right hand side of trim (next to the passenger right vent) a few of the plastic retainers will probably break, you can get a pack on amazon for $8 for 20. Use an interior/nylon pry bar kit you can pick up for $6. I did mine recently for vent repair, my car is an 08 too.. I dunno about the trim for the switch but when I was looking at doing that someone on eBay sells a whole switch assembly with red button and trim for $40. I just can't bring myself to spend $60 on the ind set, so I left it. __________________ 9ers
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02-08-2019, 09:24 AM	#11
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1093 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	Lets end this madness Minute 3:50 Last edited by InnerBlueSkies; 02-08-2019 at 09:31 AM..
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02-08-2019, 09:47 AM	#12
tony093 Captain 111 Rep 746 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodbridge, NJ iTrader: (2)	Thanks guys!!!
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02-08-2019, 10:22 AM	#13
firstbimmer First Lieutenant 134 Rep 305 Posts Drives: '13 e92 M3 & '15 f15 X5 35i x Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bay area iTrader: (0)	Yes. Some of this advice sounds opposite of every DIY I've seen. I just replaced my start button a couple weeks ago. There are MANY youtube videos to watch and learn. I suggest watching as many as you can until you can remember each step. Some videos leave out the part about the button assembly having to be released from the back side by two clips. From my experience, its very easy if you know what your doing. And i am not good at this stuff. Get a plastic pry tool for a couple bucks. Start prying the trim from the edge next to steering wheel (YouTube will show exact spot to insert tool). You do not need to remove entire trim, about 2/3 will give easy access. Then reach around and disconnect the wire from button assembly, videos will show connection. Then next part was most difficult for me. You have to release the button assembly from back side (unless its been done so many times the tabs are broken). On mine, it had never been done so i had to find the tabs on each side of the assembly that are on back side of trim and press them down so button assembly will slide forward. Once you get it out, take it to a table and use a small tool to pop the surround off (again, YouTube is your friend and many detailed videos show this. Then its just popping the button off and placing new button in place and reassembly. I can't emphasize enough that if your a newbie like me to doing this, watch as many YouTube videos as you can as some are way more detailed about each step. I would pause and watch again at each step and it was super easy.
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02-09-2019, 01:44 PM	#14
jballer123 First Lieutenant 66 Rep 352 Posts Drives: 2011m3 zcp Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: san diego, ca iTrader: (6)	Heres mine, i think it makes the interior more modern Attached Images
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02-11-2019, 02:10 PM	#17
tony093 Captain 111 Rep 746 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodbridge, NJ iTrader: (2)	I figured it out....thanks guys!!!
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04-21-2019, 05:08 AM	#18
nyfg56 Captain 100 Rep 857 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 M3 AW/Fox Red 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Albany NY iTrader: (2)	Where are you guys buying the red button?
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04-21-2019, 05:24 AM	#19
tony093 Captain 111 Rep 746 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woodbridge, NJ iTrader: (2)	I purchased mine from iIND
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