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!

[TW]Fox · 7 Mar 2010 at 14:15

Err isnt that part of the centre console? Pretty sure you will need an entire centre console bit for that.

Edit: Just checked. It's part of the dashboard itself, and a replacement is £1475 including VAT.

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

[TW]Fox · 7 Mar 2010 at 14:20

Is it that entire bit surrounded by yellow - ie the external part? Whilst you might be able to physically seperate it, it isnt available new as a seperate part so failing scrapyards and Ebay you are stuck.

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.

[TW]Fox · 7 Mar 2010 at 15:06

taximike said:
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.

I did tell you that!

Basically someone has drilled into it to install a mobile phone.

Some firms claim to be able to smart repair stuff like this.

Scania · 7 Mar 2010 at 15:25

http://www.fabdirect.com/

They sourced a piece of trim for my fathers e39 recently at a considerable saving from the BMW parts price.

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

[TW]Fox · 7 Mar 2010 at 15:27

Yea but the point is R124 (Hint: Read the thread!) the bit of trim isnt a seperate bit of trim - its part of the dash. He is going to need an entire dash.

And IMX FAB are very expensive - I watch quite a few bits on Ebay and if there is ever a ridiculous Buy It Now on something it'll be from FAB.

Glaucus · 7 Mar 2010 at 15:31

try a breaker search site, if you don't mind 2nd hand.

http://www.breakeryard.com/

Also most include there company name in the email, so a bit of googling can usually find there real phone number so you don't get charged a ridiculous amount.

YorkshirePadd26 · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:01

one sheet of that carbon look trim stuff of ebay is your best bet if your just covering some holes up

Scania · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:06

[TW]Fox;16106979 said:
Yea but the point is R124 (Hint: Read the thread!) the bit of trim isnt a seperate bit of trim - its part of the dash. He is going to need an entire dash.

And IMX FAB are very expensive - I watch quite a few bits on Ebay and if there is ever a ridiculous Buy It Now on something it'll be from FAB.

Hint: I can read thanks Foxy and high priced as they may well be ,FAB won't charge anything like £1475 including VAT for a used e39 dash.

Yes, FAB are expensive, but you get (IMX) good service and they will have the part the OP wants.

[TW]Fox · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:16

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
Hint: I can read thanks Foxy

You can?

FAB won't charge anything like £1475 including VAT for a used e39 dash.

Thats handy as the OP has an E46

Scania · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:19

[TW]Fox;16107244 said:
You can?

Thats handy as the OP has an E46

Oh **** off! You know what I mean! :mad:

[TW]Fox · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:19

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

InvaderGIR · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:30

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?

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

[TW]Fox · 7 Mar 2010 at 16:37

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?

Yea because the £3500 E46 318i market is just dripping with models specified with widescreen navigation!

'Issues' - its had a phone kit installed, hardly issues?