XSeries-forum

Evening all,

I have a situation which requires me to remove all the brushed aluminium trim in my car so that’s -

4 x door trims
2 x transmission tunnel trims
Glovebox trim
Key surround trim
End dash trim (above headlight switch)

How easy is this task and will they come off easily without any breakages? Any guides or pointers from those that have done it would be most welcome.

Si

Take a look here and start reading.
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/
Find your model and search through all the info for each part you want to remove.
It may take a bit of time to find what you are looking for but will save you time when you start to take it apart.
Might save you breaking stuff too.

Thank you for the link I will have a look through, bit of Googling suggests the most tricky bit will be the glovebox which seems to require sorts of gubbins coming out just to remove the aluminium trim piece?!?

Few videos on YouTube which should help so fingers crossed it should go smoothly......I have purchased a set of nice soft plastic trim tools to avoid damaging anything.

One additional question - the door trims obviously have the integrated door handle, is this difficult/fiddly to disconnect - I assumed it would be separate from the trim part itself but doesn't look that way!!

Si

If they are the same design as our Z4 the handles are attached to the trim by tangs that once pushed through are kinda melted to keep them together. Its not a simple case of unbolting the handles from the trim. The whole lot is bolted to the door card from the inside.

Edit: just had a look on TIS and it looks like the handles can be removed from the trim once its been removed.
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e70- ... nt/OYaacBK

I've found YouTube an excellent source of instructional videos on basic interior tasks.

As others have said Youtube is a great help. I used this vid to help me remove the door trims.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq6kzfzrsEE&t=362s

Pretty easy really, just make sure when refitting the trim pieces to the door nothing is loose or rattles, I had an annoying rattle from the rear most  fitting so it had to come off again. The other thing to note is when removing the door card make sure you unclip the small diode for the ambient lighting to the door bins, easy to snap if you forget.

I also changed the trim pieces running either side of the centre console. Bit trickier but having the replacement piece in your hand makes working out how it comes off far easier.

Anyway good luck.

Thank you all, I have found a good few videos on YouTube now and the new trims turned up today so just have to pick my moment to start swapping them over.

Thanks for the pointers DavetheBlade, like you say now the new ones have arrived it makes it much easier seeing where the fixings etc. are.

Fingers crossed it goes smoothly, will post some pictures once done.

Si