I searched, but I only found people removing the trim around the secret compartment.

Does anyone know how to actually pull the liner out of it? I had the dash apart yesterday (all trim, speedo cover, vents removed) but could not figure out for the life of me how it was attached.

I found many posts, but only covering removing the trim around it, which I did, and popped the panels off, and removed the color divider b/w the glovebox and secret panel (the one w/ the chrome button).

While I'm at it, does anyone know how to get the panel at the very bottom of the dash (below the aux-in area --- it would be the floor of the aux in area) just in front of the cupholders out, it's just a flat plastic wedge but it's fastened through the back somehow.

Thanks, I did a search, so sorry if this was already covered.

 

This site has helped me get my stuff in order; I haven't tried to get in there yet though...
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...45&hg=51&fg=30

 

im looking how to do this also, that site shows the whole dash but is that a lip on the back of the plastic compartment thats stopping it from coming out?

 

It's only held in with two little clips, one on each side about 1/2" wide on center and about an inch back from the front. Problem is that it's nearly impossible to see or get to without taking the whole dash apart. I'll try and get some pics later though.

 

I just put my dash back together lol hopefully i can fget to those clips without having to do it again. If not I dont need the cubby I could apply some good pressure....

 

aite, its easy to pull out if u dont want any scratches on it find a really flat tool, if you dont care (like i didnt) use a screw driver. Just apply pressure under the lip on either side, hold the unclipped part out, the do the other side and it easily pops out. The clips are just tiny plastic peices you need to pop out no more then 1/2 cm. tall. hope this helps

 

I figured out the secret compartment, basically remove all trim on the PS, take out as many screws as possible, take out the color line and there are 2 screws underneath it and it lifts out. It's actually easy.

Thanks for the info on the floor of the console, it's a good spot to mount alot of things, shame it takes so much to get it off.

 

How did you remove the color line? I'm having some issues with the secret compartment, and I'd like to remove it.

I unscrewed 3 screws underneath the color line, but was unable to pull it out. It was dark so I didn't want to mess around any more with it tonight, but I figured if I got some advice on how actually to remove the compartment that would be better.

 

Where the heck is the secret compartment?

gaminis

 

Does anyone have pictures of the secret compartment open? Are there some MINI's that don't have it? I've heard it called the secret compartment package. Do you have to order it?

 

it's a secret. . . wouldn't want the whole world wide web knowing our secrets. . .

 

o.O there was a video of it on youtube.. but if i am not mistaken it is on the 07's.. in the dashboard.. above the globe box.. looks like part of a normal dash unless you push on it, then it opens!

 

The compartment is the part of the dash that can be piano black or aluminum etc. It opens and closes when you press down on it. I tried to figure out by these pics how I can get it out but I can't tell exactly. It's directly above the color line:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/j/m/235.png

 

It looks like I may have to remove the speedo cover to get to the screw for the color line... anyone know?

 

Here you go...

 

Thank you! much appreciated

 

so anyone know how to remove it? I think I need to pull the black plastic panel to the left to get the color line off. Anyone anyone? Bueller?

 

I had the misforune of taking out the secret compartment and I'll tell ya why. I have the Ipod hookup and when you look in the secret compartment, there a nice rubber pad on the top of the box. I figured, well, maybe they installed the box upside down. Figured my Ipod could use a nice comfy place to rest.

Trying to do this from memory.....

There are two plastic pieces on the right and left side of the box, pop them off. I believe the right vent then screws off. Open the glove box and underneath, you'll see the screws that hold that trim piece on (between the glove box and the compartment. If I recall, I didn't take mine all the way off.

I *think* just one or two screws need to be removed on the right side of the speedo ring.

Now you should see the screws for the compartment. Carefull pulling it out if you have the Ipod hook up. The integration box is actually screwed into the back of of it and will need to be unpluged from the back.

Needless to say, the rubber pad for the Ipod can't be flipped over. The pad actually just sits in the box.

Hope this helps some.

Sparks

 

Thanks for replying. I finally just started removing stuff and figured it out. I found that kuda mount thread and that got me started pulling off the plastic panels behind the secret compartment door.

The main issue is that the plastic vent surround to the right of the speedo covers the left screw for the color line, and the right vent covers the right screw for the color line. I ended up loosening the whole speedo surround, and pulled it back with my fingers to get at the screw directly above the glove box button. The right one was easier, I ended up doing the same. It looked like I would have had to remove the trim above the right vent trim to remove it completely. So I ended up popping the trim off to the right of the rightmost vent, then unscrewed it, and lifted it up with my hand while removing the rightmost screw for the color line. I was then able to unscrew the secret compartment.

The nice bi-product of my work is that in the process of doing this one of my rattles disappeared.

 

Has anyone noticed a rubbing of the the small end (farthest to the left) against the air vent depending on where you push it in when closing it? I'm not sure if I had this before (or just didn't notice) but after I had it in the dealer to fix the dash rattle I have noticed this.
When I go to close it if I push more to the left side and toward the bottom this little piece farthest to the left will scrap against the air vent