[JJH]

Thanks to photobucket and their greedy @$$ gouge, I have updated this thread with attached photos in the same order as each stage of this DIY guide!

The trim pieces in my car were brushed aluminium and as well-documented elsewhere, this trim is quite soft and prone to scratch and dent damage. I decided on having these pieces vinyl wrapped firstly to hide the damage as well as give the interior a whole new look. My web searches found me a couple of DIYs but these were for E90s and not E92s. This prompted me to put this information together here. I have used photos I took after the trim pieces were removed as it is easier to see the attachment points this way. I also found the existing DIYs did not mention a couple of useful hints to make the process easier, which I will note here for anyone else attempting this.

It is a relatively easy process and the only special tool I used was a plastic/nylon non-marking interior trim removal tool which is basically similar to a flat headed screwdriver. I know some DIYs show an actual screwdriver being used but that did not appeal to me. One possible home-made solution could be something similar fashioned out of a toothbrush handle.

Front door trim

An easy one to begin with. Start at position (1) by inserting the tool under the trim piece and gently increasing pressure towards you until the first lug pulls free. Work towards the front of the door (2). When the trim is out sufficiently, get your fingers under the trim and slowly work it loose, popping each lug out as you work towards the door hinge side. Avoid putting a bend in this long trim piece. Once the last of 8 lugs are free, the trim will come away. Repeat for other door.

Rear trim

Exactly the same as the front door, except it is easiest to start at the door opening side (1) and work your way back (2). Repeat for other side.

Rear tray and vent

Gently work the removal tool under the trim at these two points (1). It lifts fairly easily and once you have a sufficient gap under the trim, use your fingers to gently pull the trim piece upwards (2), working to the front. Be careful not to pull too far as there is a wire connection to the vent control unit which you will need to unplug. The tray and vents come away with the trim piece and these are separate pieces that are removed from the trim with a torx screwdriver.

Long dash trim

The trickiest piece of all. Start at position (1) by the START button, inserting the tool under the trim piece and slowly work your way towards the passenger side (2) and the lugs will come free as you go. Note that the button and vents are attached to the trim. Continue until you come to the last lug (3). Here, it is important to pull towards you and at the same time slide left to clear the metal clip (circled in photo). If you don’t slide left as you pull, you could break the lug off the trim. Not good.

The START button (4) will need to be disconnected from the ribbon wire (note it is reconnected in the photo); and a pair of long-nosed pliers is needed to disconnect the two plugs from the DSC/Hazard switch unit (5). The trim is now free; the centre vents, DSC/Hazard switch unit and START button are all attached to the trim piece.

After the trim piece is out, the START button is very easily removed from the trim by depressing the two push-clips. The centre vents and DSC/Hazard switch unit are separated from the trim piece after two 8 mm nuts are removed and the vents unclipped using the trim removal tool. Hint: The whole DSC/Hazard switch unit can be pushed out of the vent assembly from behind (see photo below) which will make reconnecting the unit a simple process when you are refitting the trim back onto the car. I had trouble removing the switch unit while it was in fitted in the dash – I suspect it is a very tight fit.

Short dash trim

Start at position (1) by the steering column, inserting the tool under the trim piece until the first lug pulls free. Work towards the door side (2). Note that the vent is attached to the trim. Just like the long dash trim piece, at the second of two lug attachment points (3), it is important to pull towards you and at the same time slide right to clear the metal clip (circled). Separate the vent from the trim carefully with your trim tool.

Centre console

Note you do not need to remove the gear knob and boot (at least not for a manual). Detach the boot from the console by lifting the boot retainer at one corner and work your way right around the edges to free the boot. Grab the trim piece from inside the boot opening (1) and pull it free of the console. Work your way to the rear (2), slowly pulling up as you work back towards the arm rest/storage compartment. Then work towards the front (3) while lifting up.

You will need to clear the front edge of the trim by pulling the piece rearwards and up (4). Not too far though, as you will need to disconnect the wiring connectors for the front tray light and iDrive controller. The boot will pass through the opening in the trim for removal. The front tray and controller are attached to the trim piece and these are removed with a torx screwdriver.

That’s it – all your trim pieces are out! I hope this is useful to anyone attempting this; and good luck with it.

[///Mposter]

Thanks! I may use this soon.

[donR]

Thanks, this is great.. I have been wanting to do this with carbon vinyl wrap but was worried about how to get the trims off.

Does anyone also know good place to buy the vinyl? Quite a few places on ebay and online but quality appears to vary.

So are you going show us your finished product

[fo55il]

would be interested in cf too

[AUSf22]

Thanks for the write up, I am definitely going to use this soon.

going all black for my interior !

[335i-boy]

That is a nice DIY JJH. Thanks for taking the time to write this up.

You should put this in the DIY section of the forum.

[Drill]

Great DIY... thanks for sharing

[JJH]

Thanks guys, I am glad the DIY will be of some use out there!

Originally Posted by liteonled

So are you going show us your finished product

See > http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...5&postcount=95

[fo55il]

oh wow - that combination looks horrific in the pics.

[CYL]

I don't quite get how to take of the central console trim.
I tried to pull the gear knob and boot up, but it seems like is am going to break it...
Do I need to use the tool to insert it into the edge (between the leather and the black colour plastic) to release the retainer?

[JJH]

Originally Posted by CYL

I tried to pull the gear knob and boot up, but it seems like is am going to break it...
Do I need to use the tool to insert it into the edge (between the leather and the black colour plastic) to release the retainer?

No tool required to do this. As I said, no need to remove the gear knob at all (assuming manual shift). The boot retainer is flexible plastic - with your fingers, just lift one corner (between the edge of the boot and the console itself) until it pops out and work your way around from there.

[CYL]

Originally Posted by JJH_335

No tool required to do this. As I said, no need to remove the gear knob at all (assuming manual shift). The boot retainer is flexible plastic - with your fingers, just lift one corner (between the edge of the boot and the console itself) until it pops out and work your way around from there.

Oh...sorry, ya, saw your photos, mine is different as i have auto gearbox.
Thanks for clarifying.

[dli286]

Awesome DIY! Thanks!

[EB89]

Great guide mate!

This makes me feel more confident in attempting this myself.

Does anyone have any experience using this wrap by CarCraze Australia

4D Gloss Black Carbon Fibre Wrap


5D Deep Gloss Carbon Fibre Wrap


I like the look for the 5D gloss, I want a glossy looking carbon interior rather than the textured, flat colour look.

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by EB89

Great guide mate!

This makes me feel more confident in attempting this myself.

Does anyone have any experience using this wrap by CarCraze Australia

4D Gloss Black Carbon Fibre Wrap


5D Deep Gloss Carbon Fibre Wrap


I like the look for the 5D gloss, I want a glossy looking carbon interior rather than the textured, flat colour look.

Yeah I organised a GB for some techart VVIVID8 gloss carbon wrap, a few of us got our roofs wrapped. It was only 'just' good enough for the flat panel of the roof (the film is thick and difficult to manipulate with weak adhesive which made it unsuitable for curved surfaces such as inter trim pieces)

It's quite convincing the wrap, but when you put it side by side against an M3 with a genuine cf roof it unfortunately isnt anywhere near as nice

So in a nutshell you wont be able to wrap your trim pieces with it, I feel your pain as i hate the low gloss 3M cf style wrap also...

[EB89]

Thanks DR J,

Good info right there.

I might stick with 3M from super cheap then, I went in today to look at it.

I have seen those roof snaps before, it looks really good.

Shame it can't be done on the interior trim.

I have also tried to source replacement carbon fibre trim prices but no one has them for right hand drive . I know it would be expensive but it's something we look at the most each day and in my opinion it would be worth the cost for replacement trim pieces.

[EB89]

Anyone know how to remove the trim around the CD slot / 8 lower buttons.

I just wiped it with an alcohol wipe and it bleached it white just to the right of the left / right buttons there.

[kookie]

you need to pull out the center trim piece, pull the hvac (aircon buttons).

From there summon your hulk ability (since you're going to replace it) and slip in your index finger down the gap on the side (palm facing you) and pull towards with some force. Repeat on the other side.

There are 2 rods holding it and they are situated close to the middle of the piece.

[EB89]

Thanks kookie , I ended up giving it a rub with armorall then put some silicon based tyre glow over the area, can't see it anymore.

[EB89]

Bumping this, I used it yesterday, Don't want it to disappear into oblivion!

[Fundguy1]

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