[Needler56]

some of the clips for the aluminum trim for the driver's side door are broken, where a couple of the broken off pieces are floating around inside the armrest. i think.

either way, i want to get them out and replace the clips so do i remove the door panel, then the armrest? or if i remove the pad, will the armrest be open?

in the attached picture, the square opening on the left the piece is peeking out, but the square opening on the right i'm not sure if it either fell out completely or possibly in the door panel itself?

[PINeely]

Also looking for this, help appreciated!

[Needler56]

i found this: http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=132889

if it's anything like an e46 m3 then it is open and complete removal would require taking off the panel first

[Needler56]

i ended up taking off the panel and it looks like the armrest is a separate piece, but permanently attached? the red circles in the picture are where it's attached and i don't know if they're some type of self tapping spring nut or if the plastic circles are larger than the openings in the lining to hold itself in.

i also realized that the plug in retainers are of a rubbery type material and can be pulled and squeezed out of the opening with a pair of pliers since in my case, the broken off pieces were inside the armrest. so the panel doesn't need to be pulled off for that or to replace the retainers.

at any rate, here's the picture for your perusal if you want to know what the panel inside looks like.

[ou8durian]

I need to remove the armrest doorhandle part, are you saying that I can just pull off the entire assembly without removing the door panel. Sorry if I misunderstood. Thank you

[Needler56]

that, i'm not sure. it does look like its own part, but the parts i have circled in red look permanently attached from the inside of the panel. i'm guessing there has to be a way should you ever have to replace the window control panel or the plastic handle? gl!

[chillmeow]

I need to remove the driver side's armrest doorhandle part as well! Did anyone ever find out what is the BMW part number for it? Can we just replace that part?

[HomeBrew]

I replaced my driver side armrest since the grab handle was peeling. The door handle is part of the armrest and needs to be ordered as one part. The switch panel is a separate part, so you'll need to transfer that over from your old arm rest.

The little black circles are permanently attached and need to be drilled out (per the dealer). This will release the arm rest, grab handle, and switch panel.

When you order a new arm rest make sure you order the bolts for it. The new arm rest has plastic pegs where the red circles are in your picture. Basically the new nuts are metal washers that screw down over the plastic pegs and lock into place.

You'll need 8 new self tapping nuts, p/n: 51 41 9 142 455 and 3 spring nuts, p/n: 51 41 9 142 456

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...92&hg=51&fg=50


Pictures are a close up of the new arm rest and those nuts/washers I mentioned and the door panel with the armrest removed.

[chillmeow]

Thank you, SLeagle328!!!!

I just bought my car through a private owner, and I took it to Crevier to ask if the door handle is covered under warranty. As soon as they know the car was not bought at Crevier, the service rep told me it will cost more than $600 dollars to replace the handle, and I have to replace the whole panel. I mean if I only need to replace the armrest, this will cost me $160-$180 max.

I'm thinking if I can wrap the plastic handle part with vinyl, then it will save me a lot of money and trouble. I wouldn't need to worry about scratching it again either.

[HomeBrew]

There is a service bulletin for the peeling grab handle, but I didn't have any luck getting my dealer to replace it under warranty.

I've attached the bulletin. Maybe you can have your dealer talk to BMWNA about replacing it as a 'goodwill' item.

Good Luck.

[BlueNik25]

My deal is replacing mine under warranty.

[ou8durian]

My car is out of the new car warranty period, dealer told me it's wear and tear. I had a auto interior car shop dye it and they did a pretty good job.

[bas2000]

does anyone have a BMW part # for the driver side grab handle?

Thanks

[meruyailir]

Hi,

I know this is an old thread. But let me ask anyway.

There are 11 plastic pegs. We need 8 screws and 3 nuts. Which pegs use the screws and which the nuts? Or will there be pegs that don't need any of them?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by HomeBrew

I replaced my driver side armrest since the grab handle was peeling. The door handle is part of the armrest and needs to be ordered as one part. The switch panel is a separate part, so you'll need to transfer that over from your old arm rest.

The little black circles are permanently attached and need to be drilled out (per the dealer). This will release the arm rest, grab handle, and switch panel.

When you order a new arm rest make sure you order the bolts for it. The new arm rest has plastic pegs where the red circles are in your picture. Basically the new nuts are metal washers that screw down over the plastic pegs and lock into place.

You'll need 8 new self tapping nuts, p/n: 51 41 9 142 455 and 3 spring nuts, p/n: 51 41 9 142 456

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...92&hg=51&fg=50


Pictures are a close up of the new arm rest and those nuts/washers I mentioned and the door panel with the armrest removed.

[hotwired78]

anyone have a DIY for replacing the armrest? Has anyone tried to vinyl wrap the grab handle?? How can you do it since it doesn't come apart?

let me know!!

[executioner]

Hey guys do you know if the part where you grab the door is sold separate from the windows switch module.



The window switch has cracked paint but at over $100 difficult to justify buying just because of looks and the other part is all scratched up. Either way just bought the car but I'm really picky on interior want to restore everything to look as good as possible.

[Nebraska330xi]

Originally Posted by executioner

Hey guys do you know if the part where you grab the door is sold separate from the windows switch module.



The window switch has cracked paint but at over $100 difficult to justify buying just because of looks and the other part is all scratched up. Either way just bought the car but I'm really picky on interior want to restore everything to look as good as possible.

It's all part of the panel. I went to dealer for same reason. It's about $250 for the panel and screws. Then you put on the old trim piece.

Not worth it. I just scratched off all of the rubber shit and now it looks like I have plastic from a Chevy instead of BMW, but at least it's not peeling and awful looking.

They quality of plastic in this car is disappointing.

[SHEEDI]

sorry to bring old thread back, quick question, can you separate leather pad from entire plastic piece which is attached to leather armrest?

[MILLER335I]

Originally Posted by SHEEDI

sorry to bring old thread back, quick question, can you separate leather pad from entire plastic piece which is attached to leather armrest?

The control piece that houses the switches can be removed from the door handle. I don't know if the pad can be removed from the door card. Get one from the junk yard for a few buck and experiment on it.