I have made up some cruise control stalks for the E85/6 using genuine BMW parts and re-packaged it all to fit the same as a genuine cruise control stalk.
The stalk operates the same as the genuine part except for resume. This is now a movement on the stalk rather than having a button to press. This is shown in the photos below:
Here some pictures of the stalk fitted in the car:
You will still need to cut out the section of the lower steering cowl for the cruise control stalk, as you would with the genuine one, but you will also need to cut a small internal section out to make my stalk fit. It won't be seen externally and when fitted won't be seen at all.
This is the extra section that needs cutting:
Once you have cut out the section you normally would for the cruise stalk place my stalk like this:
Draw round that area which is fouling and then with a 3mm drill bit drill lots of holes around the line you have marked. The plastic is around 2mm thick, so is easy to drill through, and then behind that is white foam packing material. There is a sizeable gap to the next plastic face which you DO NOT want to drill through. Once you have drilled all the holes you can then use some side cutters to cut between the holes. Tidy up the edges with a file, if you so wish, you won't see it so it's upto you how fussy you want to be.
The cruise stalk wants to fit flat on the bottom of the cowl so some trimming of the white plastic foam is needed:
When done it should fit like this:
Now the stalk can be fitted to the car. To make it easier to slide the stalk into place ensure that you release the lever and pull the steering wheel all the way towards you. Before you click the cruise stalk all the way home locate the black 4 pin connector, for the cruise control, and plug that into the stalk. Then push the stalk all the way in until it clicks and fit the lower steering cowl.
You will still need the cruise loom if your car is built after October 2004. You can purchase this by sending a private message to @srhutch from this thread: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2086575&hilit=Cruise+retrofit+loom#p2086575
The price for my cruise control stalk is £85 delivered.
If you would like me to cut your lower steering cowl for you, then you will need to post it to me and then when done I will post the cowl back along with the cruise control stalk. I will do this for free but I would highly appreciate a forum donation
The stalk operates the same as the genuine part except for resume. This is now a movement on the stalk rather than having a button to press. This is shown in the photos below:
Here some pictures of the stalk fitted in the car:
You will still need to cut out the section of the lower steering cowl for the cruise control stalk, as you would with the genuine one, but you will also need to cut a small internal section out to make my stalk fit. It won't be seen externally and when fitted won't be seen at all.
This is the extra section that needs cutting:
Once you have cut out the section you normally would for the cruise stalk place my stalk like this:
Draw round that area which is fouling and then with a 3mm drill bit drill lots of holes around the line you have marked. The plastic is around 2mm thick, so is easy to drill through, and then behind that is white foam packing material. There is a sizeable gap to the next plastic face which you DO NOT want to drill through. Once you have drilled all the holes you can then use some side cutters to cut between the holes. Tidy up the edges with a file, if you so wish, you won't see it so it's upto you how fussy you want to be.
The cruise stalk wants to fit flat on the bottom of the cowl so some trimming of the white plastic foam is needed:
When done it should fit like this:
Now the stalk can be fitted to the car. To make it easier to slide the stalk into place ensure that you release the lever and pull the steering wheel all the way towards you. Before you click the cruise stalk all the way home locate the black 4 pin connector, for the cruise control, and plug that into the stalk. Then push the stalk all the way in until it clicks and fit the lower steering cowl.
You will still need the cruise loom if your car is built after October 2004. You can purchase this by sending a private message to @srhutch from this thread: https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2086575&hilit=Cruise+retrofit+loom#p2086575
The price for my cruise control stalk is £85 delivered.
If you would like me to cut your lower steering cowl for you, then you will need to post it to me and then when done I will post the cowl back along with the cruise control stalk. I will do this for free but I would highly appreciate a forum donation
Somerset
