[Tallest]

old question deleted, and I updated this into proper DIY.

THe main point of this DIY is to help people with the connectors which can be tricky at first glance but in good light and with sharp eye, you will see its not big deal. If you are retrimming the console it will help you I hope. Sorry for cell phone pics and thanks to "MTL Bimmer" who kindly answered my questions before I did this and it went as smooth as butter!

+++++++++++++
Tools requred:
- pliers with pointy end.

OK, so it's pretty easy. The key is to separate the black plastic plate that holds the gator in place from the actual trim piece.

So once you pulled the shifter out (just pull it out with force and dont knock yourself on head), remove the shift gator and wiggle out the plastic plate with PRND letters on it.

Dont pull out hard, because 2 wires are attached to it (#1 and #2). Once the plate is free, use pliers to wiggle out the connectors slowly of their sockets, no force, just left right motion to set it free. I could not do this with fingers. Disclaimer: Do NOT squeeze connectors with pliers HARD on each side - if the slip, you can snap the wires by mistake and then good luck with guessing if you damaged something. Ask me how i know...

It will look like this when 2 pieces are disconnected.



Once both are out, you can proceed to remove the console. First open the armrest! Next, start at the back and lift it up using the cubby hole as a grip (non idrive car here). Just wiggle it out slowly upwards.


Once its free, slowly start pulling it up step by step, going towards front of the car. You gotta make sure the sunglass holder or ashtray are empty of stuff of course.


Once you reach the end, you will see another connector (to the lighter) that you just pinch on sides and it will be set free.



Take the console out. You're done. What's left is gonna look like this.


Good luck with the rest of dissasembly using other DIYs (on how to take apart the ashtray, etc). Hope it helps a person or two.

[F80_M3llow]

ok for the lighter there are two nothes on each end of the connector just squezze them and pull out. As for the red it was a pain in the ass too take out for me i just used pliers and pulled it down. If pulling with your fingers does not work use the pliers. I hate dealing with the wires under there if you need anymore help shoot me a pm or reply

[Tallest]

shit, so it is about pulling it down.. ill probably have few Qs on pm.

[F80_M3llow]

Originally Posted by 320what

shit, so it is about pulling it down.. ill probably have few Qs on pm.

Yess just squeze and pull out it sometimes hard but keep naging at it back and forth and it should come out. Trust me i wondered the same when i took mine out.

[Tallest]

deleted.

[Tallest]

DIY updated with pics and info, and thanks for the help with getting it done, guys.

[GAM3OVR85]

you're welcome bro, anytime

[efunroom]

pic links are broken

[Tallest]

works for me...

[FoShizzle]

I was looking for this!
Clear and simple. Thanks!

Mods please add to the master DIY list.

[mburg]

Is this the same in a coupe (E92)?

[Quasimodem]

A couple of comments here:
1. You don't need to pull the knob off the shifter if you leave it in neutral.
2. Removal of the electrical plugs from their sockets on the underside of the top cover of the console is easier if you can slip a thin metal blade in between the plug and the containing socket so that the locking nub (you will see this protruding from a hole on the bottom of the white socket and the back of the blue socket) can slip out easier.

[rlpolo78]

Is this DIY for the automatic or stick? I have the automatic and need instructions to remove the center console. Thanks.

[DC Bec]

This is clear and concise, thank you for posting.
DC Bec

[Tallest]

thx. this is for automatic (Step, per title), yup.

[menace_z]

Thanks for this post,,everything went smooth.

[JYK]

Thanks for the post! but does the shifter really comes out if you force it out?;;

[FoShizzle]

Yes, but you may need to straddle it doggy style.

[Tallest]

it really isn't that hard to pull out the shifter, just use some force but don't yank it - just slowly keep adding strength and pull it out. if you try to yank it out you'll hit yourself in head or the headliner as it pops out. just use elbow as pivot on the console. it's not that tough to do really.

[e903er]

Help please, images not available anymore. Can someone re-post them?

[Tallest]

I see they gone, i dont have this on my laptop so may I dig them up and then Ill reupload. Sucks but these days all these hosting sights are disappearing or charging.