Does anyone know (for a fact) if the inserts in the Backseat Side Panels (the piece with the speakers built into it) can be re-upholstered OR covered in Leather? I purchased a complete leather package interior from a 1997 M3 Coupe for my 1994 325i Convertible. I already removed the pleated "Champagne" colored real leather inserts on the front door panels and installed the inserts on my existing 94' door panels. I also installed the Champage colored Nappa Leather Sport Seats, the chrome interior door handles, the Myrtle Wood interior door pulls, the Myrtle Wood dash trim, the Myrtle Wood cubby / sunglass holder panel, I also installed a brand new factory Leather & Myrtle Wood shift knob from a 2007 335ci and had my rear seats re-upholstered to match the new front seats. All that remains is the Rear Interior Panel Inserts. BMW sells the Pleated Leather Luxury Edition Inserts for a convertible but it is just over $1,000 for the set. I don't mind spending that to have a perfect car but I would rather cut costs and have them re-upholstered, if that is possible. Help!

yes the rear inserts can be removed pretty easily by lifting the front edge slightly (the bit near the door opening) and sliding them towards the front of the car.

These rear panels in leather cost a cool $1000!?!? :eek:

Damn, I'd better pull mine out then every time I park up ;)

(a different version from the "pleated" ones.)

http://www.idon-industries.com/bimmer/doorcardfront.jpg

http://www.idon-industries.com/bimmer/doorcardrear.jpg

MParallel ,
No, those are not the Luxury Edition panels in your car. The actual luxury Package Edition (only available in the USA) interior was only offered in Chapagne Tan and they were fully pleated.


bbroony,
Yes, I know how to remove the inserts. I need to know if they can be upholstered.

MParallel ,
No, those are not the Luxury Edition panels in your car. The actual luxury Package Edition (only available in the USA) interior was only offered in Chapagne Tan and they were fully pleated.


bbroony,
Yes, I know how to remove the inserts. I need to know if they can be upholstered.

Anything can be upholstered! (well, not anything, but yes, those can be re-upholstered).

Check out this thread if you don't believe me:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=710868

MParallel ,
No, those are not the Luxury Edition panels in your car. The actual luxury Package Edition (only available in the USA) interior was only offered in Chapagne Tan and they were fully pleated.


bbroony,
Yes, I know how to remove the inserts. I need to know if they can be upholstered.

I didn't say they were Luxury Editions.

But beware, I am from Europe and my option list lists a #971 Lux Pack option ;)

Anything can be upholstered! (well, not anything, but yes, those can be re-upholstered).

Check out this thread if you don't believe me:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=710868

mmmm..... most things have undergone a change in there and been upholstered:)

Yes, however Luxury Package and Luxury Edition is very different. The same Luxury Package you had in Europe was available here too. Luxury Package could be had on ANY 328i. However, Luxury Edition was only available in 1997 and 1998 and they were all finished in a deep metallic blue (similar to orient blue) with Champagne colored Nappa Leather Interior.

i think you are referring to the 97 328 convertible Exclusive Edition that was only offered as techno violet with champagne interior. there are lots of luxury packaged M3s out there, and champagne is pretty rare. i could be wrong though. :dunno

No, you are correct about the Luxury PACKAGE M3s. However the 97-98 Luxury EDITION Convertible was not Techno Violet. It was indeed a Dark Metallic Blue (I just can't recall the name of it right now). Yes, the champagne interior is very rare. It is rumored that around 600-800 cars had it.

So there was a Luxury Package, Luxury Edition, and Exclusive Edition all for 328 convertible, and Luxury Package and Luxury Edition for M3?

According to a google search, the Luxury Edition vert was available in 5 colors, with Aegean Blue being one of them. Its a nice color, there is an individual e46 m3 in that color that I see every once in a while.

do you have a picture of them

i remember seeing them at the dealer way back when that version became available but i havent had any luck locating a picture

wish they had black ones

not sure who you were referring to, but heres a few pics of an Exclusive Edition that I found on Craigslist a while back...

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/misc/01010701020301040120070715e3f5132cd.jpghttp://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/misc/01010401031201040220070715e50725711.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/misc/010105010400010300200707157a40552fa.jpghttp://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/misc/0102060104010103012007071535df932aa.jpg

thanks
but i was looking for a pic of the rear leather panels

Oh wow, I think this is a Luxury Edition 328.

Its for sale in VA.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=24&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ALL%7CM-_5_%7CH-%7CD-_32_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CS-_3_%7CY-_1997_%7CX-popular%7CZ-93063&aff=national&paId=233203790&recnum=19&leadExists=true

This one sounds like an Exclusive, since its "purple" with "beige" interior and the "M3 package". no pics in the ad though.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=24&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ALL%7CM-_5_%7CH-%7CD-_32_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CS-_3_%7CY-_1997_%7CX-popular%7CZ-93063&aff=national&paId=135102473&recnum=33&leadExists=true

theres pics of the full champagne leather interior in the first link in post 15.

thanks
i want to do the rear panels like that to match my fronts
since they dont sell them in black

Oh wow, I think this is a Luxury Edition 328.

Its for sale in VA.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=24&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ALL%7CM-_5_%7CH-%7CD-_32_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CS-_3_%7CY-_1997_%7CX-popular%7CZ-93063&aff=national&paId=233203790&recnum=19&leadExists=true

This one sounds like an Exclusive, since its "purple" with "beige" interior and the "M3 package". no pics in the ad though.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=24&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-ALL%7CM-_5_%7CH-%7CD-_32_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CS-_3_%7CY-_1997_%7CX-popular%7CZ-93063&aff=national&paId=135102473&recnum=33&leadExists=true

Wow that's a nice car, although the also champagne colored doorcards and trim on the rooflid and all is a bit too much for me.

2-tone dash is nice though.

Wonder if these chrome switch surrounds are OEM.

Shame about the steering wheel though.

the lower dash, the tan part is all leather, not vinyl

i bought all those pieces for my car but in black

Shame about the steering wheel though.

And the 11 button OBC. Booooo!

the lower dash, the tan part is all leather, not vinyl

i bought all those pieces for my car but in black
bought from the dealer, or had done aftermarket?

what HAVEN'T you done on your car? :eyecrazy

the lower dash, the tan part is all leather, not vinyl

i bought all those pieces for my car but in black

I know ;)

BMW didn't do lower portion dashes in vinyl (well not over here at least).

I'd like that too, but would want it in black, which would make it unnoticable...which is a shame.

If ever....it'll be something like this:

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL760/2846297/17303013/269493023.jpg

I bought a sheet of Vinyl from fabric store and redid one of the inserts on my car in the back. Was pretty good, the hard part is the front bottom corner...it curves in to the arm rest then out and around. Overall I am happy, theough the vinyl is not as thick as leather and you can see it looks different. Also, I am not sure how hard it would be to do in leather, as I dont know how easy it is to stretch.

Yes, the chrome window surrounds are a factory item. All of the Luxury Edition convertibles had them.

found another luxury edition on craigslist near me. this one is aegean.

too bad craigslist doesnt give better pics.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/010101010200010405200711047edeb6fbc.jpghttp://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/011610010302010404200711045697e80b5.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/010100010309010405200711043a4f58e17.jpghttp://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/palomino328/01010601020501030420071104a2e6f45b0.jpg

i think you are referring to the 97 328 convertible Exclusive Edition that was only offered as techno violet with champagne interior. there are lots of luxury packaged M3s out there, and champagne is pretty rare. i could be wrong though. :dunno

They were actually available in a handful of colours, including Morea Green.

MPar, is that you taking the pic in the mirror?? LOL
I know ;)

BMW didn't do lower portion dashes in vinyl (well not over here at least).

I'd like that too, but would want it in black, which would make it unnoticable...which is a shame.

If ever....it'll be something like this:

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL760/2846297/17303013/269493023.jpg

Nope I don't come in countries where the steering wheel is on the wrong side.