Best place to source a bit of trim

taximike · 7 Mar 2010 at 14:13

So far have tried ebay - no luck finding the actual item but emailed a couple of the people who seem to have whole cars up for parts, and called round a couple of local scrap heaps.

This is the bit I need http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2231/bmwinteriori.jpg

Bet BMW would charge about £60 for that!

taximike · 7 Mar 2010 at 14:17

[TW]Fox;16106579 said:
Err isnt that part of the centre console? Pretty sure you will need an entire centre console bit for that.

It's a rubberised strip on the side of the centre console. 99% sure it can be seperated

taximike · 7 Mar 2010 at 14:22

Yeah I figured that - hence holding out for a breaker to come up with the goods. Just wondered if anyone else had any bright ideas!

taximike · 7 Mar 2010 at 15:04

Okay - having taken apart the centre console a bit it is worse than I ever expected. Not only are both sides of the centre console one bit of trim, the ENTIRE dashboard right up to the windscreen and including speedometer surround is just ONE bit of plastic.

Now thinking... interior repair? Anyone had any experience of this? Can they match the texture of the plastic? Basically someone has drilled into it to install a mobile phone.

taximike · 7 Mar 2010 at 15:27

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dashboard-bla...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item5ad1e777fc

I see your £1475 and I drop you £1415.02

Seriously though - is this going to be a killer job? What do you think? Pay £90 ish to get it repaired, or £60 and spend a day fiddling?

EDIT> hmm how much is my time worth?

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=628898

taximike · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:26

http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=CK3000

http://www.incarexpress.co.uk/view_product.php?partno=CTPPAR007

http://www.carputer-shop.co.uk/usb-car-kits-c-7/usb-interface-car-kit-p-8

mmmmm worth it? would be a big job but worth it I reckon

taximike · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:32

InvaderGIR said:
Surely it'd have been cheaper and easier to buy an E46 without the issues and one that has the ability to have intravee installed?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing..... What is intravee?

EDIT> oh yeah well I looked into that and I prefer the GROM setup

taximike · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:41

Besides - the fact that we overclock means we are tinkerers and fiddlers - if I can pull off the removal of the dash and installation of the above products it will be very satisfying every time I use them to know the effort I went through! Will just have to try and avoid boring my friends with stories about the installation!

taximike · 14 Mar 2010 at 14:26

Mougabi said:
If you are going to remove the dash let me know as I have all the info you need to remove it. opposit to fit. just make sure ignition and battery is off at all times so you don't have to pay out for airbag reset.

It's a PDF file 857k

Well with shipping a new dash was going to be around £60-70 off ebay. Have decided to pay someone £90 to fix the holes. I'll post before/after pictures when I have the results!