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Thread: Interior trim removal

  1. #1
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    Interior trim removal

    I noticed several people asking/looking for a write-up on how to remove the interior trim. So I figured I would give it a go.

    I started with the center console. Just pull up on the leather boot at the edges and it will pop up.

    Then pull up on the plastic trim piece that the boot was held in by. It will just pop out also.

    You will find two phillips head screws at the top, remove them both:


    Next, reach under the console with your fingers and push up on the hazard warning light switch and the door lock/unlock switch. They will just pop out.

    Then unhook the wires from both switches.


    Then remove the phillips head screw that was under the hazard warning switch.

    Then I removed the storage compartment, it just pulls out.


    Then move to the back seat and pull out the rear cup holders.

    Then remove the rear air vents.

    Now you have exposed the two screws that hold on the arm rest, remove them next.

    Now remove the two screws that hold the end of the center console down.


    Then unhook the large connector on the drivers side, right beside the shifter.

    Then rotate the connector clockwise to unhook it from the console piece.

    Once it is removed, it will look like this:

    Then the entire console should just lift up and out.

    Once it is out, flip it over and remove the screws holding the metal backing plate to the back of the console.

    Then you can just pull up on the top of the wood trim piece an lift it up and pull forward to separate it from the plastic piece.

    Next start on the door of the ashtray:

    Then remove the two screws that hold the top of the door on:
    Last edited by bagman; 07-22-2009 at 07:56 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  2. #2
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    Nice write-up. It needs to be added to the DIYs.

  3. #3
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    Nice write-up!
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    *retired

  4. #4
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    Here it the ashtray door once it is off of the ashtray:


    Then start in on the pieces across the dash, You can use a long screwdriver with some cloth wrapped around the end to keep it from scratching. I just used my fingers and pulled a little bit at a time being very careful not to bend the pieces. Just get your fingers as far under the piece as you can before you start to pry on it.

    Just push on the back of the cruise control switch and it will pop out.

    Then unhook the wire from the switch:

    Now you can work on the door for the cassette or business CD. The cover is held on to the door itself with 3 little clips that press on to three post. You will destroy these clips no matter how you remove them so I just cut mine off with a dremmel tool. The replacement part# is 51-45-8-220-836.


    Then I took off my shift knob. Shift the car to a position lower than park, like drive or lower. Push on the release button and hold it in, then pull up, hard. Be careful not to knock yourself out when it comes off.


    Then pop out the release switch:


    Next pull out the metal clip that holds the edges of the leather back:

    Now you have it all apart!!
    Last edited by bagman; 07-22-2009 at 09:11 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

  5. #5
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    2015 BMW M235i
    I will definately be doing this in the near future. Maybe carbon fiber wrap or plasti-dip? Do you know how to get the wooden peice of the shifter knob off?


    2015 M235i 6MT

  6. #6
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    Now that you have seen me take it apart, you might ask why?

    Before:


    And after:




    [IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/COMPAQ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.jpg[/IMG]
    Last edited by bagman; 07-22-2009 at 09:21 PM.

  7. #7
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    wow just wow................ where did you get the new trim????

    E39, 523i, 1999, M52TUB30, 5 SPEED MANUAL, UUC SHORT SHIFTER, EURO SPECS, KONI YELLOWS, OEM SPORTS SPRINGS, OEM SPORTS SEATS, ALCANTARA HEADLINER AND /A/B/C PILLARS, OEM M-TECHNIC AERODYNAMIC, OEM M5 FRONT GRILLS, OEM M5 REAR FOLDING MIRRORS, OEM M5 REAR SWAYBAR, OEM M-TECHNIC II FRONT SWAYBAR, REMUS DUAL TIP MUFFLER, TITANSILVER, BIXENON, M PARALLEL SPOKE 66 STAGGERED, OEM M-AUDIO SYSTEM, NAV SCREEN 16:9, INTRAVEE II iPOD INTERFACE, OEM TCM WITH BLUETOOTH, Y RESONATOR DELETE, INTAKE HORN DELETE, CDV DELETE, CHARCOAL TITANIUM BRUSHED TRIM, FAN CLUTCH DELETE, ELECTRIC FAN, 3.15LSD DIFFERENTIAL, ESS TS2+ SUPERCHARGER, AQUAMIST METHANOL + WATER INJECTION

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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by jdjg View Post
    wow just wow................ where did you get the new trim????

    I just wrapped the old trim with the Carbon Fiber fabric from Joe@eurodyne.

    Just follow this:

    http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...04#post3824204

    http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196996

    http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203272 __________________

  9. #9
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    where exactly in the eurodyne did you order the vinyl?

    can't find it

    i got one from ebay... it was a complete failure...
    The Ultimate Driving Machine.



  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by PoRkS Z3 View Post
    where exactly in the eurodyne did you order the vinyl?

    can't find it

    i got one from ebay... it was a complete failure...

    I ordered some cheap stuff first and it was way too thick.
    Euro-dyne does not have it listed on their web-site, just call them at 909-869-8007, ask for Joe and He will hook you up. I did it through pay-pal, just sent the money with a note saying 1 yard CF, charcoal grey and they sent it out right away!

  11. #11
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    Nice write-up and documentation!! It will make it to the DIY as soon as it is noticed...you can bet on it!

    It looks really sweeeeeeeeeeet...congrats. Wait a sec...that's fabric?!?!? Now I'm really impressed...how does it look up close?
    Last edited by ViolinARC; 07-22-2009 at 10:45 PM.

    '00 540iA Sport w/235k+ Original TCG's, Vanos and transmission.​*Trans failure at 244k+...FS Now

  12. #12
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    Hey nice write up, I'm in the middle of doing it also. I have it almost completely done, I have one question for you though, I broke the hinge on the cassette/cd cover. So I wrapped the upper part but I now need the back part that has the hinge on it. I'm going to get it out of a parts car...I tried to figure it out by looking at my broken piece but I'm not 100% sure how to do it. Do you remove the spring and then the pin in order to get it off and do you have any suggestions? thanks
    1979 320i Golf

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  13. #13
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    Why didn't you take the rubber pieces of the ashtray and cd player cover out first? They are only put on with some double sided tape/glue, and very easy to put back (with a little bit new glue).

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by maardein View Post
    Why didn't you take the rubber pieces of the ashtray and cd player cover out first? They are only put on with some double sided tape/glue, and very easy to put back (with a little bit new glue).

    The long piece on the tape deck cover was cracked and I was afraid it would break, so I just left it alone and covered it. I think it would look better not covered though.

  15. #15
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    Wow...excellent use of CF with the proper color interior...and the write-up and pics...WOW!

    Props to Jo at Eurodyne...he's the man! : http://www.euro-dyne.com/
    Last edited by Qsilver7; 07-23-2009 at 03:15 PM.
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  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Qsilver7 View Post
    Wow...excellent use of CF with the proper color interior...and the write-up and pics...WOW!

    Thanks, I tried a lighter color on one piece first:


    FAIL:



  17. #17
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    How did you wrap the ashtray door without covering the screw holes?

  18. #18
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    Well documented. This should be added to the DIY asap.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by P11 View Post
    How did you wrap the ashtray door without covering the screw holes?

    You just trim the extra off with an exacto knife after you have wrapped it around the edges.

  20. #20
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    Wow that looks sooooo much better than the burlwood! Nice work, thanks for the write-up too!
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  21. #21
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    ganesht is offline (oOO)\(lll)°(lll)/(OOo) BMW CCA Member
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    could you post a close up of the wrap on the shift knob? did you have to use a hair drier or anything to help mold the wrap?
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  22. #22
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    can I get a glossy brilliant finish to this fabric?

    E39, 523i, 1999, M52TUB30, 5 SPEED MANUAL, UUC SHORT SHIFTER, EURO SPECS, KONI YELLOWS, OEM SPORTS SPRINGS, OEM SPORTS SEATS, ALCANTARA HEADLINER AND /A/B/C PILLARS, OEM M-TECHNIC AERODYNAMIC, OEM M5 FRONT GRILLS, OEM M5 REAR FOLDING MIRRORS, OEM M5 REAR SWAYBAR, OEM M-TECHNIC II FRONT SWAYBAR, REMUS DUAL TIP MUFFLER, TITANSILVER, BIXENON, M PARALLEL SPOKE 66 STAGGERED, OEM M-AUDIO SYSTEM, NAV SCREEN 16:9, INTRAVEE II iPOD INTERFACE, OEM TCM WITH BLUETOOTH, Y RESONATOR DELETE, INTAKE HORN DELETE, CDV DELETE, CHARCOAL TITANIUM BRUSHED TRIM, FAN CLUTCH DELETE, ELECTRIC FAN, 3.15LSD DIFFERENTIAL, ESS TS2+ SUPERCHARGER, AQUAMIST METHANOL + WATER INJECTION

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  23. #23
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    Wow awesome write up! I didn't know you could take the trim off the knob... Thanks!

  24. #24
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    nice write up, i didn't know the shift knob came apart like that........

    do you know how to remove the emergency shifter?

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  25. #25
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    Question Huh?

    Quote Originally Posted by alexbenz View Post
    nice write up, i didn't know the shift knob came apart like that........

    do you know how to remove the emergency shifter?
    You mean the emergency brake handle...is that correct (cause I've never heard of an "emergency shifter")?

    '00 540iA Sport w/235k+ Original TCG's, Vanos and transmission.​*Trans failure at 244k+...FS Now

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