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Piano black dash retrofitted today
- MrPT
- Lifer
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- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Piano black dash retrofitted today
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:
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:
Top tip would be to use one of these:
Because of the number of torx screws holding the centre console trim on:
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:
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!]:
Pretty happy with that. Tomorrow morning I'll be able to see if it's scratched to f*ck already.
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:
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:
Top tip would be to use one of these:
Because of the number of torx screws holding the centre console trim on:
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:
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!]:
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
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
- -Tom-
- Senior Member
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- Location: Bath
Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
What a difference!! Looks so clean, so classy!
-Z4 M Coupe, Silver Grey, Imola Red Nappa, carbon leather, CSLs, SuperSprint Race, Track Mode Enabled
-Tesla M3 LR
Previous - 3.0 si sport roadster, Silver Grey with Oregon Pearl Grey leather, Piano black, EIbach Pro, Stubby
-Tesla M3 LR
Previous - 3.0 si sport roadster, Silver Grey with Oregon Pearl Grey leather, Piano black, EIbach Pro, Stubby
- Grumpyowl
- Lifer
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted
A long days work, difficult to see in the poor light. Are you going to do the door handles to match?
- Darren Slone
- Lifer
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
I really like Piano Black, good job
Current Porsche Cayman S 987.1
Now sold - Imola Z4MC
Now sold - Silver Grey Z4MC
OEM CSL’s, Supersprint, Gruppe M, Eibachs, Carbon Roof, carbon rear spoiler,,
Now sold - My other Z
‘71 Datsun 240Z imported from West Coast USA
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- ranski
- Lifer
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- Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 2:20 pm
- Location: Sutton Coldfield
Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
Get the Roll hoops and door handles finished in piano black
Z4 3.0 / Mods done... too many to mention
- srhutch
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
Anything is better than the brushed aluminium.
Looks good
Looks good
- MrPT
- Lifer
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
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.ranski wrote:Get the Roll hoops and door handles finished in piano black
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
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
- Swiftly
- Lifer
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- Location: Edinburgh
Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
What a transformation, good job
- WLH
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
Very Nice...
- ESP
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
+1Darren Slone wrote:I really like Piano Black, good job
Looks fantastic
07 Sapphire Black Roadster.
- bluestreak56
- Lifer
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
+1-Tom- wrote:What a difference!! Looks so clean, so classy!
- jan_tekin
- Senior Member
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- Location: Kent
Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
Good work,
I want my upper section done along with my door pull handles, maybe a project for next year.
I want my upper section done along with my door pull handles, maybe a project for next year.
Current: M135i
Sold:3.0lsi Sport Roadster, Xenons,Heated seats, blutooth, Hi Fi,Comfort Pack, Cruse Control, Stormworks ST1
Gear Knob, Stubby, KW V2s, 224s
Sold:3.0lsi Sport Roadster, Xenons,Heated seats, blutooth, Hi Fi,Comfort Pack, Cruse Control, Stormworks ST1
Gear Knob, Stubby, KW V2s, 224s
- ben g
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Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
Amazing transformation!
If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to get them coated?
If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to get them coated?
Red Soft-top Sterling grey 3.0i - Z4M Front, Eibachs, Polybushed, Clear headlights, Triple clear spot rear lights, Shadow Chrome 107's, Sport MFSW, ZHP.
- MrPT
- Lifer
- Posts: 4746
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:44 pm
- Location: Bucks/Oxon
Re: Piano black dash retrofitted today
Thanks for all the comments. Don't know what it is about the aluminum - everybody likes it except Z4 owners!
£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.ben g wrote:If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to get them coated?
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
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone