[spydrz]

Interesting. It's made in Romania. I guess their suppliers have outsourced.

[KL2DC]

Nicceeeeeeee.....

I guess its the whole unit. Please do us a favor and do your version of the DIY with tips/suggestions. I know a fine DIY has already been done but a 2nd perspective might shed more light on the install and help the more DIY-challenged among us.

[spydrz]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Nicceeeeeeee.....

I guess its the whole unit. Please do us a favor and do your version of the DIY with tips/suggestions. I know a fine DIY has already been done but a 2nd perspective might shed more light on the install and help the more DIY-challenged among us.

Will do. I'll give it a try a little later (still at work).

[KL2DC]

Thanks....

[spydrz]

OK I couldn't resist and started messing with it anyway...that piece surrounding the vent is a real PITA. I got the side facing the gauges out with an old credit card but the side by the door won't come out.

[KL2DC]

spydrz: you might want to check with Josh49 for tools advice. I believe he posted some suggestions on his own DIY.

good luck...

[spydrz]

I can't get it out, and his DIY says to use something suitable for prying. Has anyone swapped out their trim? I searched but the info was minimal.

[KL2DC]

I remembered reading a DIY somewhere here (UK member, I think)...I can't get it to come up through search though.

I did find tierfreund brief explanation:

"Yes. I´ve taken them all out. Basically you just need to pull. But they´re so tight you can´t simply pull them out. So you need some kind of crowbar to pry them out. But that will hurt the trim and the surround. BMW has a special tool that´s basically a plastic crowbar. Wide and soft jet stable. I used a plastic cake cutter...."

Hope that helps in the meanwhile...I'll continue searching.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by spydrz

I can't get it out, and his DIY says to use something suitable for prying. Has anyone swapped out their trim? I searched but the info was minimal.

This really stink when you have something in your hand and eager to dive in and you find out the pond is not that deep. don't rush it, talk to the other guy who did the install for extra pointers or you might regret breaking something.

[KL2DC]

Ok found a more details explanation but no pics...

its from member 325IAT (Oslo, Norway):

"I received my aluminum trim today and thought it would be hell to change my plastic aluminum trim to the real thing, but it was very easy. You just have to use power.

I started out with the door handles. They were the easiest to change. I used a flat screwdriver to lift up the outer end of the trim. I lifted it enough to get my finger under it. Then it's just to pull it slowly from one end to the other. Use power, but do it slowly. The trim will be released from the clips. I then put the new ones on. Very easy. This goes for all of the doors.

Now for the dash...
A bit more time consuming, but quite easy.
Use the flat screwdriver again and lift the right side of the trim (by the right door). The air ventilator will also come off. When you have reached the center of the dash (where the dual ventilators are) you need a torque key (size 10) to unscrew the two screws that holds the center ventilators to the trim. When they are unscrewed you work on the key hole. It's clipped on. Unclip it on the backside and take the outer part of the key "ring" and button out. The ventilators on the right side and in the middle is also cliped on the trim. Unclip them and you will release the whole trim panel. Reverse this order for putting the new trim on. The left side of the wheel is easier. Just do the same as above.

Now for the toughest part - The center console (non iDrive)
First you have to pull up the gear frame. It's easy, but you need to use a bit of power. When it's up you can take off the whole console (Don't forget to lift up the armrest). The you need to unscrew the four screws that holds the ashtray to the trim. When you're done, unclip the storage bin (by the armrest). Then you need to clip off the ashtray trim. Also, clips. To put on the new console, repeat what you just did.

I aslo changed the trim on my steering wheel. I had the same alu plastic trim, but wanted it black, so it would look better with the real aluminum. Use the torque (same size) to unscrew the three screws behind the wheel. The unclip the plastic trim. The controls will need to be unscrewed from the trim. Repeat the whole process to put on the new trim.

All in all I used around 1,5 hour. Next time I guess I can do the same thing in 30 minutes."

I'd follow up with Brian Lay and Josh49, as well.

[spydrz]

Thanks, I saw those write-ups as well...I sent Brian a PM, but I guess I'll have to wait until someone else tackles the project, as I don't want to break that wood trim. It's doubly frustrating because I'm not completely useless at BMW installs--I put a Bluetooth kit in my X5, as well as the factory Sirius kit. I guess I'll add the Blacklines to that list also, but they're too easy to list oh and the eject box for the phone. Had to remove the shifter boot for that.


Update: it should come out straight (per Brian), so I'll try that in a little while. He used a 1" putty knife. I think mine still has some putty on it

[KL2DC]

Cool...please keep us posted. Your collective experiences and advice will help us invariably with our own DIY to follow.

[spydrz]

Still no luck

[Hunter399]

Where did you buy it from?

[18LLC]

mine should be in at the beginning of next week.

[spydrz]

Originally Posted by hunter399

Where did you buy it from?

Crown in Greensboro.

[shragon]

nice! i hope i get mine this week too!

[Chesmu]

as per UPS mine is on the way. I will take pics and stuff as well when my turn comes.

[Chesmu]

still no update? no pics?

[spydrz]

>still no update? no pics?




I can't get the dash piece out, and it was dark...maybe today.

[spydrz]

New putty knives didn't help either. Maybe early cars have a different mount? I'm at a loss.

If I can't get the wood trim out, somebody might be getting a good deal on the switch.

EDIT: Got it out!!
Taking pics.

[KL2DC]

spydrz...still no luck

oh man...if you can't get at it, what are the chances for a notoriosuly DIY-adverse person like me