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Piano black dash retrofitted today

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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MrPT
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Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by MrPT » Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:29 pm

Got ready to replace all disks and pads today but then realised I'd ordered rear discs from a 3.0i. Oops. So thought I'd spend the precious daylight hours fitting a piano black dash instead. I had a spare aluminium set coated a few months ago but never found time over the summer to do the switch - too busy just driving it.

Used this guide and this one, so thanks to christurbo and shawna. I took a few shortcuts - didn't fully remove the gearknob, radio or handbrake handle. Removing the centre console and dash was still possible with some careful manoeuvring:

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Also took the opportunity to have a big clean and it was at this point that I found these two french fries behind the passenger seat:

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Top tip would be to use one of these:

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Because of the number of torx screws holding the centre console trim on:

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Why didn't BMW use a few more of these for all the other rattly bits?! :?

Think I found a ninja trick to get the knee pads off quickly. Undo the large screw holding the middle of trim to the sides of the transmission tunnel and stick a pebble (or any small object, really) up under the trim and behind the end of the knee pad:

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Press the trim next to where you shoved the thingy - very, very hard - and the knee pad pops out.

It took all afternoon and I ran out of light - just like every other mod I have done in winter; it's a tradition. So here are some not-very-useful before and after photos [EDIT - added a daylight pic!]:

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Pretty happy with that. Tomorrow morning I'll be able to see if it's scratched to f*ck already. :) :?
Last edited by MrPT on Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:32 pm, edited 2 times in total.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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-Tom-
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by -Tom- » Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:37 pm

What a difference!! Looks so clean, so classy!
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Previous - 3.0 si sport roadster, Silver Grey with Oregon Pearl Grey leather, Piano black, EIbach Pro, Stubby

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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted

Post by Grumpyowl » Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:41 pm

A long days work, difficult to see in the poor light. Are you going to do the door handles to match?

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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by Darren Slone » Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:42 pm

I really like Piano Black, good job :thumbsup:

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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by NeilP » Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:44 pm

Lovely work!

Does look a lot better! :thumbsup:

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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by ranski » Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:50 pm

Get the Roll hoops and door handles finished in piano black
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by srhutch » Sun Nov 30, 2014 9:05 pm

Anything is better than the brushed aluminium.

Looks good :thumbsup:
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by MrPT » Sun Nov 30, 2014 9:07 pm

ranski wrote:Get the Roll hoops and door handles finished in piano black
Thinking about it. How are yours holding up? Went with your recommendation, actually - Wicked Coatings - for the dash and they've done a great job, but it's lacquered, not hydrodipped. I'm guessing the plastic bits would have to be dipped.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by Swiftly » Sun Nov 30, 2014 10:50 pm

What a transformation, good job :thumbsup:
Image
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by WLH » Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:06 pm

Very Nice... :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by ESP » Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:30 pm

Darren Slone wrote:I really like Piano Black, good job :thumbsup:
+1
Looks fantastic :thumbsup:
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by bluestreak56 » Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:36 pm

-Tom- wrote:What a difference!! Looks so clean, so classy!
+1
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by jan_tekin » Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:40 pm

Good work, :thumbsup:

I want my upper section done along with my door pull handles, maybe a project for next year. :D
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by ben g » Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:57 pm

Amazing transformation!

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to get them coated?
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today

Post by MrPT » Mon Dec 01, 2014 12:33 am

Thanks for all the comments. Don't know what it is about the aluminum - everybody likes it except Z4 owners!
ben g wrote:If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to get them coated?
£135, inc surface prep and delivery. It's a decent finish - some very light orange peel on a couple of edges, but the main surfaces are excellent. Not sure how well it will hold up, but the OEM finish isn't exactly bullet proof so I don't mind too much if it gets a little scratched.
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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