I had to replace all of this stuff because I DIDN'T read a DIY before attempting to do this, so I have dedicated my life to making sure you guys don't go down the same dark path I have...

The new parts w00t w00t!!

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01090.jpg


This is what the center console looks like....


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01091.jpg


First thing to do is pull the shifter off... (Upwards, AWAY from your FACE...) It will give you a black eye...


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01092.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01093.jpg


Next, take a thin, flathead screwdriver, and towel...


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01094.jpg



You're going to insert the towel covered screw driver in between the black plastic and the woodgrain, DO NOT TRY TO PRY THE WOODGRAIN OUT!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WILL NOT MOVE, THERE ARE SCREWS HOLDING IT DOWN...
This is where you pry, and seperate the plastic from the wood....

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01095.jpg



The plastic piece is not going to just move easily, there is a tiny plug holding it in place, you're going to have to sneak your hand in there, and unplug it... Its the white stuff pictured below....

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01096.jpg

Once you have unplugged the center piece, you will see the two screws holding down your woodgrain trim...


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01097.jpg


Unscrew these, and gently pull the woodgrain back towards the trunk, and up, as it is clipped onto the ashtray compartment.... Keep in mind, there are still wires attached to it...

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01098.jpg


Unplug these wires:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01099.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01100.jpg

If you are replacing the wood trim (like I had to) the window buttons clip off, its pretty self explanatory by just looking at it...

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01101.jpg


Next you will have to take out the sunglass compartment... Just open it, and pull gently until it pops loose... NEVER force anything... trust me...

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01104.jpg

Next you will locate the 4 screws holding the center console unit to the car.... They are pictured below...

The two on the bottom:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01102.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01103.jpg

and the two on the top:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01105.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01106.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01107.jpg


Now, I can not emphasize the importance of taking the next step CAREFULLY, as you have to mess with the bezel to get the console out without scratching up your leather... Like before, there are wires holding it to the car, so don't pull too hard... Give yourself enough space to get your hands in there, and unplug everything...

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01109.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01110.jpg


Now there are 4 plugs that need to be unplugged, the two on the top are for your buttons, and the two on the bottom are for your cigarette lighter.... unplug these:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01111.jpg



At this point, you should be able to set the console on your lap, turn it over and look at the back:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01113.jpg

Different models have different buttons, mine is a cabrio with heated seats, so I have 1 unit with 5 buttons on it... Different models may have different set ups:

At this point, you will need a set of star-key thing things:
I took a picture of the biggest one in the set so you can see what it looks like:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01115.jpg

at each side, there are two screws, use the star-key thing thing to take them off... Now the buttons can be separated from the unit:



http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01116.jpg


pick up any loose change underneath the shifter....

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01117.jpg


And then re-assemble...

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01118.jpg


Thats about it.... as a bonus for all of my sorrows, I bought a shifter off an e90 and slapped it on there....

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01120.jpg


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/InitialZ32/DSC01119.jpg

hey thanks I'll look this up if i ever have to take the center console out!!

+100 Great DIY man! That was smooth.

The new shifter looks good too. Congrats!

Thanks for putting the time and effort into showing us that, really appreciated.

That shifter doesn't flow with your interior. But it looks good.
Nice DIY.

nice

the shifter matches, it matches the two silver pieces that hold the seatbelt in place.. it looks much better in person, the pics don't do it justice...

Did you buy that black part above the DSC and heated seats button? (the little cabniet thingy)

either way that looks nice and I did something like this as well last week.. i'll post some pics

yeah the sunglass compartment is new also... you cant replace one without the other, the older one will look old as hell

very nice, i dont think ill ever have to to do this but ya never know right?

props

this would've been useful BEFORE i installed my ipod Dice thingy...

Great DIY man.

I was looking at your profile and I was like hey ive talked to this guy before!

remember myspace?
i asked those few questions about my car but i cant remember them lol..


Thanks!



Troy.

Good job. I have the same interior. I think the black goes.

I'am looking at the pics and I'am thinking, "Those lights are sorta bright... didn't the guy disconnect the battery before pulling all the electrical stuff apart?"

Or, did the camera flash just make the lights look like the key was on?

Anyway... thanks for the write-up and pics.

Great DIY man.

I was looking at your profile and I was like hey ive talked to this guy before!

remember myspace?
i asked those few questions about my car but i cant remember them lol..


Thanks!



Troy.


Yeah I remember, what was it again that you were trying to do!?

I'am looking at the pics and I'am thinking, "Those lights are sorta bright... didn't the guy disconnect the battery before pulling all the electrical stuff apart?"

Or, did the camera flash just make the lights look like the key was on?

Anyway... thanks for the write-up and pics.

I had the car on, with the A/C blowing, its hot in Houston.... The electrical stuff in that area won't throw a check engine light or anything...

I had the car on, with the A/C blowing, its hot in Houston.... The electrical stuff in that area won't throw a check engine light or anything...

I think me means being shocked.......

Anyways good DIY. Way to post it in the right sub-section :shifty

(Where have you been)

I think me means being shocked.......

Anyways good DIY. Way to post it in the right sub-section :shifty

(Where have you been)


lol the only thing that can shock you down there are the wires for the cigarette lighter, and the positive one has a plastic cover that makes it impossible to touch the metal...

:shifty
:shifty:shifty
:shifty:shifty:shifty
:shifty:shifty
:shifty


I've been busy with school and work, and doing the Bavspeed thing... Its a local forum, we have meets, hit up the car shows, I would post pics, but BFC now only permits 15 photo's per post... It used to be 30...

only if my shift knob came out that easy. i Had like 6 people try already, they all failed. They are not worthy enough i guess :dunno

only if my shift knob came out that easy. i Had like 6 people try already, they all failed. They are not worthy enough i guess :dunno


The first time is the hardest, what I did was put it in drive, wrapped my hands around the leather, and pulled up from underneath the shifter, as opposed to pulling the shifter itself... twist it from side to side a lil bit, and it'll pop off...

nice write up. this will come in handy for future surprises i have for you guys.... :shifty

w00t w00t!!! Mike!!! Dude, hows the car coming along, have you decided to fix it or what?

Bro i open the sunroof. Got up on my sets grabbed that piece of sh*t and pulled. I even got a blowdryer and heat that mtf for a while and pulled. Previous owner probably super glude that ho.

Bro i open the sunroof. Got up on my sets grabbed that piece of sh*t and pulled. I even got a blowdryer and heat that mtf for a while and pulled. Previous owner probably super glude that ho.


If you're taking it off to get another one, try twisting that hoe off.... That'd be stupid for someone to super glue it... With or without the button, you can shift as long as the brake is pressed... you can put the manual shift knob on there, the auto shifter button is just there for decoration I swear lol

:rofl let me guess intitial. you tried to pop out the center wooden piece by sticking the screwdriver under and popping it out. Am I right?? :rofl: im laughing cus i did the same ish... :shifty

If you're taking it off to get another one, try twisting that hoe off.... That'd be stupid for someone to super glue it... With or without the button, you can shift as long as the brake is pressed... you can put the manual shift knob on there, the auto shifter button is just there for decoration I swear lol

yeah i did that, now it just spins 360 degrees and still doen't come off :rofl:
I know thats why i bought a manual shift knob. Looks better too.

:rofl let me guess intitial. you tried to pop out the center wooden piece by sticking the screwdriver under and popping it out. Am I right?? :rofl: im laughing cus i did the same ish... :shifty


lol EXACTLY.... You can see where I chipped it in the pix on the lower right hand side of the old wood trim.....

lol EXACTLY.... You can see where I chipped it in the pix on the lower right hand side of the old wood trim.....
lol i did the same thing dude. luckily it was already going to the body shop to get some sweet work done to it :thumbup:

w00t w00t!!! Mike!!! Dude, hows the car coming along, have you decided to fix it or what?

things are good, got it fixed, they replaced everything under the hood with brand new parts. everything. they even threw in a brake job :redspot it took them forever but i finally got it back this week.

cool!! thats good news, glad to hear it....

where can i get a new center console anyways?

And the e90 shift knob fits on the e46? nice where can i get one of those...

I go all my stuff from the dealership, the my local forum gets a discount at the dealer... I paid $300 for a new woodgrain trim, the ashtray compartment, the sunglass compartment, a new cigarette lighter, and the e90 shift knob....

^^ your alive?

How deep is the space behind the sunglass compartment? It looks like there are electronics directly behind the case. I'd like to install a scanner in there, in place of the sunglass compartment, but it doesn't look deep enough. I'd need about the same amount of space an aftermarket radio/cd player would require.

Anyone know how to get the cup-holder and coin thingy out without breaking something?

Anyone know how to get the cup-holder and coin thingy out without breaking something?
therres a tiny seperation between the console and the cupholder. just pull straight up. the cup holder is being held by clips. same goes for the coin holder but do the cup holder first

Thanks for the great tip. Nothing broken. How about getting the arm rest off?

I have something rolling from side to side when I make a left or right. It doesn't rattle or make any noise while going straight, but it just takes a slight shift to make it move from left to right.

To the best of my knowledge the noise is coming from between the seats. My thought now, is that if I can get the arm rest off of its perch I can eliminate or find the rolling thingy there.

Thanks again,

Russ (4495)

I get that same sound when I put change in my rear ashtray, I took out the cup holders and got the euro center compartment... Its really easy, just pull straight up between the coin holder and cup holders, it'll pop right out...

My hazard light and door lock buttons don't work. I think someone spilled some liquid on it (I see some crustage around the buttons.) Can I get to it by removing the shifter and wood grain trim?

I think you should be able to reach in there, and pop them out.... I didn't really pay attention... I'd try and go through the cupholder first.... That pops out really easy... If that doesn't work, take the shifter and so on off....