Dash and centre console trim REPLACED - GUIDE inside
- Thread starter shawna
- Start date
Good job. 
I have the same wood trim. My last few company cars where either piano black, carbon effect, or alu trims and so I've kinda got to like the wood in a retro sort of way. Not everyone's taste I'll admit. I'll probably get bored with it eventually and maybe have a go at carbon wrapping it myself.
I have the same wood trim. My last few company cars where either piano black, carbon effect, or alu trims and so I've kinda got to like the wood in a retro sort of way. Not everyone's taste I'll admit. I'll probably get bored with it eventually and maybe have a go at carbon wrapping it myself.Well done. Maybe you would consider a comprehensive write up (or links) as a DIY for the project?
Incompatible said:
Yes please do this. I am planning on carbon wrapping my interior within the next few weeks!
From a sailing boat to a star fighter. Well done!
Thanks for your comments!
Yes its brushed aluminium, I really like it.
The piece of rear console is the screw covering of the centre console - the numpties at BMW had broken it for me when replacing a faulty CD CHANGER some years ago. Shame on them. Have to see how it attaches as to be honest I think it must be missing some metallic parts? Any help appreciated.
The piece near the light switch just pulls out. There is no stupid fastener at the back.
I replied to all the pms thank you
I can do a write up for sure.
THE WORST PART is the bl00dy fastener at the side.
The rest is patience and now looks pretty easy.
My car looking smug after the operation:
Next up will be a set of fully refurbished 108's. (that is when i find the time)
Yes its brushed aluminium, I really like it.
The piece of rear console is the screw covering of the centre console - the numpties at BMW had broken it for me when replacing a faulty CD CHANGER some years ago. Shame on them. Have to see how it attaches as to be honest I think it must be missing some metallic parts? Any help appreciated.
The piece near the light switch just pulls out. There is no stupid fastener at the back.
I replied to all the pms thank you
I can do a write up for sure.
THE WORST PART is the bl00dy fastener at the side.
The rest is patience and now looks pretty easy.
My car looking smug after the operation:
Next up will be a set of fully refurbished 108's. (that is when i find the time)
Write up: (pictures added shortly depending what I find and plagiarizing from another write up in Italian - THESE PICTURES ARE NOT ALL MINE but they serve the purpose)
3 Stages
1. Removing rear part of centre console.
Remove coin holder.
Remove screws sn each side of the console below and abeam the ashtray hidden by a circular piece of trim covering.
Move the hood (half open half closed position and pull the plastic trim very gently. The trim will still be attached at the bottom. To remove it completely use a flat head screw driver and gently unscrew the plastic lugs. <<<will try to add a pic for this.
Once its removed, untie the loop of the hood and remove 2 torx screws at the top. These are marked in RED.
Open the lower door half way exposing 2 screws(torx) and remove them.
This should bring the rear console free.
Now pull up gently.
2. Removing Centre Console.
Take off the ashtray by removing the metal part exposing a screw behind it. The assembly will have to be gently lifted off at an angle. Undo the electrical harnesses (,Soft Top lowering, DSC pin and cigarette lighter - 3 in all).
Remove gear knob - put it in second and tug minding your face/eyes/glasses.
Remove gaiter/gear knob surround - a soft tug will undo.
Remove the hand brake gaiter by initially pulling the leather trim surrounding the handbrake then actually removing the handbrake leather by pulling VERY HARD towards the dashboard. It should come out.
Remove the plastic trim beneath the hand brake by sliding it towards dashboard.
On each side of the centre console are 2 screws, one on each side behind the knee pads and one on each side abeam the handbrake by pulling the circular clips that cover them.
At this stage the console should move backwards and outwards.
3. Remove Dash Trim
Undo the airvents by gently inserting a flat head screw driver and pulling outwards. There are 4 sliders you have to tackle. An extra pair of hands is desireable here. Note: this is easier said than done but its doable.
Remove the stereo.
Remove the screws holding the trim together. You can see the screws to remove in this picture:
Remove both left and right airvents. Very easy, there are 2 screws, one is behind the cup holder the other at the top behind a plastic trim covering, marked with the RED arrow.
Now the FUN part.
UNDO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. <<<<this step is crucial. Otherwise you will waste an hour.
This will expose the blessed, trim fastener lug or wahtever its called. Whoever invented this did it on purpose. Its sole aim is not to be removed.
Basically it consists of a copper washer and a pin. Undoing the glove compartment gives you super access to it and you can immediately see what to do to remove it. Use a long neck pliers and gnetly press the tabs and pulling upwards.
This is the infamous clip:
Once that is done its very easy. Pull the dash trim and it will come off.
Same for the trim around the light switch.
Re fit everything back.
DOnt do the trim fastener clip again, its not needed just use another clip.
Take care and have fun.
Questions answered as soon as possible.
3 Stages
1. Removing rear part of centre console.
Remove coin holder.
Remove screws sn each side of the console below and abeam the ashtray hidden by a circular piece of trim covering.
Move the hood (half open half closed position and pull the plastic trim very gently. The trim will still be attached at the bottom. To remove it completely use a flat head screw driver and gently unscrew the plastic lugs. <<<will try to add a pic for this.
Once its removed, untie the loop of the hood and remove 2 torx screws at the top. These are marked in RED.
Open the lower door half way exposing 2 screws(torx) and remove them.
This should bring the rear console free.
Now pull up gently.
2. Removing Centre Console.
Take off the ashtray by removing the metal part exposing a screw behind it. The assembly will have to be gently lifted off at an angle. Undo the electrical harnesses (,Soft Top lowering, DSC pin and cigarette lighter - 3 in all).
Remove gear knob - put it in second and tug minding your face/eyes/glasses.
Remove gaiter/gear knob surround - a soft tug will undo.
Remove the hand brake gaiter by initially pulling the leather trim surrounding the handbrake then actually removing the handbrake leather by pulling VERY HARD towards the dashboard. It should come out.
Remove the plastic trim beneath the hand brake by sliding it towards dashboard.
On each side of the centre console are 2 screws, one on each side behind the knee pads and one on each side abeam the handbrake by pulling the circular clips that cover them.
At this stage the console should move backwards and outwards.
3. Remove Dash Trim
Undo the airvents by gently inserting a flat head screw driver and pulling outwards. There are 4 sliders you have to tackle. An extra pair of hands is desireable here. Note: this is easier said than done but its doable.
Remove the stereo.
Remove the screws holding the trim together. You can see the screws to remove in this picture:
Remove both left and right airvents. Very easy, there are 2 screws, one is behind the cup holder the other at the top behind a plastic trim covering, marked with the RED arrow.
Now the FUN part.
UNDO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. <<<<this step is crucial. Otherwise you will waste an hour.
This will expose the blessed, trim fastener lug or wahtever its called. Whoever invented this did it on purpose. Its sole aim is not to be removed.
Basically it consists of a copper washer and a pin. Undoing the glove compartment gives you super access to it and you can immediately see what to do to remove it. Use a long neck pliers and gnetly press the tabs and pulling upwards.
This is the infamous clip:
Once that is done its very easy. Pull the dash trim and it will come off.
Same for the trim around the light switch.
Re fit everything back.
DOnt do the trim fastener clip again, its not needed just use another clip.
Take care and have fun.
Questions answered as soon as possible.
