Leather Interior

bindieye · 09-17-2011, 10:25 PM

Hi all,
I have a E90 330i with the beige interior. Would really love some recommendations on good coach workers or companies that could help clean and rejuvenate the front seats. They're getting a bit worn/grubby.
Also, the grab handle on the driver's side is scratched and almost back to plastic! Is it possible to buy this piece and replace, or am i looking at some kind of dodgy acrylic paint job?
thanks for any advice.

mikenazz · 09-18-2011, 12:54 AM

HI i got mine replaced under warranty. had the same issue. you cant really stop it just peel it off so the plastic is visible only.

bmwaddiction · 09-18-2011, 05:28 AM

unfortunately you can;t buy just the plastic bit that is peeling as it is inbuilt into the handle. the handle itself can easily be purchased online (eg.: schmiedmann.com or bmminiparts.com, ebay, etc) for $100-400.

I was lucky enough to buy the whole handle assembly (new) for $130 delivered from bmminiparts as they had one in stock. I think ordering one out of stock will be a fair bit more expensive.

The replacement is pretty straight forward: pull off the trim strip, undo three door handle bolts, remove the entire door trim piece, replace the handle, re-assemble.

Another option is to carefully (with a credit card/plastic knife) to peel off the remainder of plastic paint. Thats what I did initially but it never looked 100% so thats why I went to trouble of replacing the whole door handle assembly.

I am afraid you can;t fix it by painting either - the paint is a special soft/resin type that I could not find anywhere.

Hope this helps

gcbm · 09-20-2011, 08:30 PM

As an alternative you can get an aftermarket chrome / satin cover for under $40, see http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/220726144692.
It attaches with 3m tape (fixed to covers) though I did not use the supplied primer as it will etch the plastic. The window switch surrounds did not seem to fit as well but I think the switch needs to be removed before fitting. If you are interested I can post some photos.

cheers

pcockley · 09-20-2011, 08:51 PM

i can't comment on the quality but looks like it would have a similar finish to the oem aluminium checker style

09-17-2011, 10:25 PM	#1
bindieye New Member 4 Rep 18 Posts Drives: E90 330i Monaco Blue Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Leather Interior - repairs and rejuv Hi all, I have a E90 330i with the beige interior. Would really love some recommendations on good coach workers or companies that could help clean and rejuvenate the front seats. They're getting a bit worn/grubby. Also, the grab handle on the driver's side is scratched and almost back to plastic! Is it possible to buy this piece and replace, or am i looking at some kind of dodgy acrylic paint job? thanks for any advice.
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09-18-2011, 12:54 AM	#2
mikenazz First Lieutenant 63 Rep 314 Posts Drives: 335i e92 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Forestville Sydney iTrader: (0)	HI i got mine replaced under warranty. had the same issue. you cant really stop it just peel it off so the plastic is visible only.
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09-18-2011, 05:28 AM	#3
bmwaddiction Lieutenant 25 Rep 421 Posts Drives: Lexus IS350 F Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: ACT iTrader: (0)	unfortunately you can;t buy just the plastic bit that is peeling as it is inbuilt into the handle. the handle itself can easily be purchased online (eg.: schmiedmann.com or bmminiparts.com, ebay, etc) for $100-400. I was lucky enough to buy the whole handle assembly (new) for $130 delivered from bmminiparts as they had one in stock. I think ordering one out of stock will be a fair bit more expensive. The replacement is pretty straight forward: pull off the trim strip, undo three door handle bolts, remove the entire door trim piece, replace the handle, re-assemble. Another option is to carefully (with a credit card/plastic knife) to peel off the remainder of plastic paint. Thats what I did initially but it never looked 100% so thats why I went to trouble of replacing the whole door handle assembly. I am afraid you can;t fix it by painting either - the paint is a special soft/resin type that I could not find anywhere. Hope this helps
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09-20-2011, 08:30 PM	#4
gcbm New Member 2 Rep 28 Posts Drives: G01 X3 3.0i, e82 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Gold Coast, Australia iTrader: (0)	As an alternative you can get an aftermarket chrome / satin cover for under $40, see http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/220726144692. It attaches with 3m tape (fixed to covers) though I did not use the supplied primer as it will etch the plastic. The window switch surrounds did not seem to fit as well but I think the switch needs to be removed before fitting. If you are interested I can post some photos. cheers
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09-20-2011, 08:51 PM	#5
pcockley Banned 43 Rep 1,719 Posts Drives: 335 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: sydney iTrader: (1)	i can't comment on the quality but looks like it would have a similar finish to the oem aluminium checker style
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