Removing gearstick on an E60 M5

[M5SDG]

I've googled and gone through the TIS manual but I can't find out how to change the gearstick.
I have bought a new one because mine has a scratch, probably from a watch or ring.

I know it will need a sharp tug to get it off but first I need to disconnect the electrical plug, the hole for the gaitor is too small to get my hand in though.
The trim piece with the power/EDC/shift speed buttons needs to be removed.

Can it be pulled up (tried but don't want to break it) or must the main centre console trim underneath be removed as well?

Anyone successfully done this?

Thanks in anticipation.

[TheEnd]

All the TIS says is give it a firm tug and don't twist it.

Plenty of people have given themselves a black eye from BMW gearknobs when pulling them up whilst directly over them.

You'd need to pull using your body, not your arms, in other words lock your arms and lift by pulling yourself away. When it does pop off, you aren't going to fly up 2 feet.

[M5SDG]

I've read up on the pulling bit, but I can't do that until I've unplugged the stick, the plug end is under the rubber gaitor but the hole on an M5 is really small unlike a regular 5 series.
That's why I think the surround with the buttons on needs removing but I don't know how.

Cheers.

[TheEnd]

The external trim part will pop up-
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=NB92&amp...

If you've got the skirt/gaitor part up, try hooking your fingers in and pulling from the middle, try to work round pulling at a specific side as there will be about 8 tabs that anchor it in.

[M5SDG]

I tried that and it felt like it was going to snap. I just want to be 100% sure that it will unclip without having to remove the whole base trim first.

So I just apply force and the clips will release and not just snap off?