Has anyone retrofit interior trim?

SigmaPiFSC · 07-13-2023, 06:00 AM

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone swapped out all the interior trim. For example, in my 2023, all the open pored ash trim, if I want to switch to the burlwood. It looks like 8 or 9 parts.

I'm just exploring options.

Is it easy, hard, expensive? Got pictures? Are you happy you did it or do you regret it? Is it do it your self? Or get a pro?

In my last car, was able to swap the speakers for BAVsound speakers, on my own in a few hours. Pretty easy with only a few broken clips on the doors, which have since been replaced. But what about swapping out all the trim?

I've seen some parts on ebay, or would people not go that path? Any links to videos, tips, pictures related to such a project would be welcomed!

Thx!

Joe-BMW33 · 07-13-2023, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigmaPiFSC

Hi Everyone,

Has anyone swapped out all the interior trim. For example, in my 2023, all the open pored ash trim, if I want to switch to the burlwood. It looks like 8 or 9 parts.

I'm just exploring options.

Is it easy, hard, expensive? Got pictures? Are you happy you did it or do you regret it? Is it do it your self? Or get a pro?

In my last car, was able to swap the speakers for BAVsound speakers, on my own in a few hours. Pretty easy with only a few broken clips on the doors, which have since been replaced. But what about swapping out all the trim?

I've seen some parts on ebay, or would people not go that path? Any links to videos, tips, pictures related to such a project would be welcomed!

Thx!

It is really not do-able like it was on older BMW's where you would just pop off the trim and pop in new trim. Those pieces don't pop off, for example, you would have to buy all new complete door cards.

I feel your pain on the pored dull trim options. It is a non-starter for me. If I were you I would have someone wrap it. I have seen pictures of people who did so and it looks great. Of course the quality of the shop matters.

SigmaPiFSC · 07-13-2023, 07:19 AM

Thx Joe,

Gives me something to think about. Funny thing, I did see the front 2 door panels for sale used... same color and model, but with the glossy wood trim. but... then there is the back doors...

I did find a blog at one point with a few pictures, but now I lost it. It basically said, the wood trim is attached to the door panel, using the "mushroom rivets" not sure what they are actually called. But basically, when they go on, they hold the wood on, and instead of a bolt, they are machine melted down on the end. Hard to describe. Maybe someone can find a picture.

I saw this last year when I was looking to replace the rubber inner door grip on my old 530e. So, the deal is that they are super easy to remove, You drill off the plastic head, and it comes right off... easy. Then when ready to fasten the new part, either buy those fastener mushroom rivets, and "melt" them into place yourself, or just use a small screw in place of them which will do the same thing. So maybe easier than we think.

I have not found any videos or pictures again however.

Joe-BMW33 · 07-13-2023, 08:11 AM

Yeah, I also have an E39 and follow E39's. I've swapped out a few cracked pieces over the years. Pretty available as sets on eBay.

Definitely look into wrapping. The quality of wrap is amazing these days. Most of the pictures I have seen are people going CF. That is a little much for me, but if I were to wrap interior trim I would go gloss black. It would be hard to tell the difference between that and Piano black.

Being from the Boston area, I can recommend QCare in Burlington is outstanding as well as Unique Car Care in Middleton.

Lancelot · 07-13-2023, 01:50 PM

I have changed all trims to aluminium, it’s not very easy but doable still;

Make sure to take the right variant of the trims you want because there are so many!

Front trims are easy
https://youtu.be/OkB82UXnnto

Door trims are a pain
They come OEM fixed with plastic rivets, you need to break or melt those with an air gun (i did the latter), then you can screw back the new trims or melt the rivets if they are new.

Joe-BMW33 · 07-13-2023, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancelot

I have changed all trims to aluminium, it’s not very easy but doable still;

Make sure to take the right variant of the trims you want because there are so many!

Front trims are easy
https://youtu.be/OkB82UXnnto

Door trims are a pain
They come OEM fixed with plastic rivets, you need to break or melt those with an air gun (i did the latter), then you can screw back the new trims or melt the rivets if they are new.

Easy yes to remove the dash trim, but you have to replace that whole assembly right? Vents and all with one with the trim you are changing to, correct? Or can you get that huge trim piece off the vent assembly?

SigmaPiFSC · 07-13-2023, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancelot

I have changed all trims to aluminium, it’s not very easy but doable still;

Make sure to take the right variant of the trims you want because there are so many!

Front trims are easy
https://youtu.be/OkB82UXnnto

Door trims are a pain
They come OEM fixed with plastic rivets, you need to break or melt those with an air gun (i did the latter), then you can screw back the new trims or melt the rivets if they are new.

Thanks for posting that video.
How about the trim under the radio? That small strip and the sliding cover to the phone charging tray? Is it difficult to get those parts off?

Lancelot · 07-13-2023, 03:03 PM

Indeed if i remember correctly this is one piece with vents included

Lancelot · 07-13-2023, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SigmaPiFSC

Thanks for posting that video.
How about the trim under the radio? That small strip and the sliding cover to the phone charging tray? Is it difficult to get those parts off?

Hmm no not that easy, they have another video for that; the key point was to remive the rubber at the bottom of the cup holders to be able to unscrew the assembly, not sure that shows in the video:
https://youtu.be/QNlanprZaIA

NGT2 · 07-13-2023, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Yeah, I also have an E39 and follow E39's. I've swapped out a few cracked pieces over the years. Pretty available as sets on eBay.

Definitely look into wrapping. The quality of wrap is amazing these days. Most of the pictures I have seen are people going CF. That is a little much for me, but if I were to wrap interior trim I would go gloss black. It would be hard to tell the difference between that and Piano black.

Being from the Boston area, I can recommend QCare in Burlington is outstanding as well as Unique Car Care in Middleton.

The problem I foresee with wrapping is that most open pore trims are not smooth like the gloss wood. That texture would make the wrap job come out the same and not smooth. There was a small scratch on the chrome window trim of the 540. When it was wrapped in gloss black, you could still see where it was. Obviously the gloss black hid it a bit and it was exterior, so not noticeable. But it would be a problem on a textured trim piece.

What would be better is getting the stick on covers. If you could find a smooth CF or aluminum stick on cover, you could presumably wrap that if you wanted something besides CF or whatever it is.

Joe-BMW33 · 07-14-2023, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGT2

The problem I foresee with wrapping is that most open pore trims are not smooth like the gloss wood. That texture would make the wrap job come out the same and not smooth. There was a small scratch on the chrome window trim of the 540. When it was wrapped in gloss black, you could still see where it was. Obviously the gloss black hid it a bit and it was exterior, so not noticeable. But it would be a problem on a textured trim piece.

What would be better is getting the stick on covers. If you could find a smooth CF or aluminum stick on cover, you could presumably wrap that if you wanted something besides CF or whatever it is.

Good point. You’re right about the open pores, I didn’t think about that. I guess the wraps I’ve seen are over smooth trims.

SigmaPiFSC · 12-18-2023, 09:43 PM

Hi Gang,

I picked up a set of new trim on ebay. It arrived today. it's pretty good, not brand new, but most of it is in good shape. I think I have a good grasp on how to do all the trim parts. Ok, so I will try and make a video showing the whole project. But it's kind of cold here in New England, so I need a sunny not so freezing day to do the job! I'll keep you all posted.

Oh, I can't seem to find the part name or part number of the plastic rivets that attach the wood to the door panels. I will need to drill or cut them off to replace the door trim, then I will use a screw to attach. but.... I would rather use the original fastener part.

Any chance anyone out there knows what they are called? Or what the part number is? I've searched but I don't see anything that looks like it might be the right kind of part.

07-13-2023, 06:00 AM	#1
SigmaPiFSC Private 20 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW 530e Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Boston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 530e xDrive [8.25]	Has anyone retrofit interior trim? Hi Everyone, Has anyone swapped out all the interior trim. For example, in my 2023, all the open pored ash trim, if I want to switch to the burlwood. It looks like 8 or 9 parts. I'm just exploring options. Is it easy, hard, expensive? Got pictures? Are you happy you did it or do you regret it? Is it do it your self? Or get a pro? In my last car, was able to swap the speakers for BAVsound speakers, on my own in a few hours. Pretty easy with only a few broken clips on the doors, which have since been replaced. But what about swapping out all the trim? I've seen some parts on ebay, or would people not go that path? Any links to videos, tips, pictures related to such a project would be welcomed! Thx!
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07-13-2023, 07:19 AM	#3
SigmaPiFSC Private 20 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW 530e Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Boston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 530e xDrive [8.25]	Thx Joe, Gives me something to think about. Funny thing, I did see the front 2 door panels for sale used... same color and model, but with the glossy wood trim. but... then there is the back doors... I did find a blog at one point with a few pictures, but now I lost it. It basically said, the wood trim is attached to the door panel, using the "mushroom rivets" not sure what they are actually called. But basically, when they go on, they hold the wood on, and instead of a bolt, they are machine melted down on the end. Hard to describe. Maybe someone can find a picture. I saw this last year when I was looking to replace the rubber inner door grip on my old 530e. So, the deal is that they are super easy to remove, You drill off the plastic head, and it comes right off... easy. Then when ready to fasten the new part, either buy those fastener mushroom rivets, and "melt" them into place yourself, or just use a small screw in place of them which will do the same thing. So maybe easier than we think. I have not found any videos or pictures again however.
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07-13-2023, 08:11 AM	#4
Joe-BMW33 Major General 7338 Rep 6,749 Posts Drives: '18 M550i\|'21 X5\|'03 540i Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 VW Tiguan [0.00] 2015 Infiniti QX60 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5 [0.00] 2003 BMW 540i [0.00] 2018 BMW M550 [10.00]	Yeah, I also have an E39 and follow E39's. I've swapped out a few cracked pieces over the years. Pretty available as sets on eBay. Definitely look into wrapping. The quality of wrap is amazing these days. Most of the pictures I have seen are people going CF. That is a little much for me, but if I were to wrap interior trim I would go gloss black. It would be hard to tell the difference between that and Piano black. Being from the Boston area, I can recommend QCare in Burlington is outstanding as well as Unique Car Care in Middleton. __________________ 2018 M550ix\|Carbon Black\|Dinan Modifications\|2003 540i\|Jet Black\|M-Sport\|2021 X5 Mineral White Prior BMW's: 1987 325e\|1993 740i\|1998 740il\|2001 530i\|2002 745li\|2007 750li\|2006 750li\|2001 530i\|2012 535xi\|
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07-13-2023, 01:50 PM	#5
Lancelot Major 568 Rep 1,291 Posts Drives: 2017 m550i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: France iTrader: (0)	I have changed all trims to aluminium, it’s not very easy but doable still; Make sure to take the right variant of the trims you want because there are so many! Front trims are easy https://youtu.be/OkB82UXnnto Door trims are a pain They come OEM fixed with plastic rivets, you need to break or melt those with an air gun (i did the latter), then you can screw back the new trims or melt the rivets if they are new. __________________ 2017 M550i \| Sophistograu Previous cars: 2014 F30 ActiveHybrid 3 \| 2012 f20 M135i
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07-13-2023, 03:03 PM	#8
Lancelot Major 568 Rep 1,291 Posts Drives: 2017 m550i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: France iTrader: (0)	Indeed if i remember correctly this is one piece with vents included __________________ 2017 M550i \| Sophistograu Previous cars: 2014 F30 ActiveHybrid 3 \| 2012 f20 M135i
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12-18-2023, 09:43 PM	#12
SigmaPiFSC Private 20 Rep 59 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW 530e Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Boston iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 530e xDrive [8.25]	the trim replacement project is on! Hi Gang, I picked up a set of new trim on ebay. It arrived today. it's pretty good, not brand new, but most of it is in good shape. I think I have a good grasp on how to do all the trim parts. Ok, so I will try and make a video showing the whole project. But it's kind of cold here in New England, so I need a sunny not so freezing day to do the job! I'll keep you all posted. Oh, I can't seem to find the part name or part number of the plastic rivets that attach the wood to the door panels. I will need to drill or cut them off to replace the door trim, then I will use a screw to attach. but.... I would rather use the original fastener part. Any chance anyone out there knows what they are called? Or what the part number is? I've searched but I don't see anything that looks like it might be the right kind of part.
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