Hey guys. I've been looking to "spuce up" my stock 2004 R53's interior a bit. I love the body color interior trim you can get in the 05/06 cars and was wondering a few things.

-I'm assuming you cannot mix and match the 3 vs. 5 piece dashboard, but may as well make sure. Can you?

-Are the door trim "ovals" the same for both pre-facelift and facelift cars?

Thanks for any replies. I'll do what I can, which might be to just paint my current dashboard/other trim pieces.

 

The 3 piece dash will not work in place of the 5 piece dash. I hear it may have something to do with the airbag. As for the rest of it I do not know.

 

PM sent.

 

The oval was updated in 2005 with a different arm rest.

I believe that the ovals can be interchanged, however the oval is plastic welded onto the door panel and not designed to be removed. It is possible to drill out the attachment points on the backside of the door panel, but most people I've seen on the forums simply leave the oval on the door panel and mask it off while painting.

 

rkw, are you saying that the door card from '05-06 won't fit on a pre-facelift car? I assumed that they were interchangeable (the entire card, not the oval). I've been thinking about the facelift door cards for the different armrests.

 

Eric, I believe that the door cards are interchangeable between pre and post facelift.

After some more consideration I think the ovals are also interchangeable (and I have updated my post). However, because of how the door card is manufactured and supplied with the oval "permanently" attached, in most cases it would be better not to remove the oval from the door card.

 

The airbag on my 03 was behind the panel, above the glovebox. My 06 has a marking on the top of the dash.

The ovals are a PAIN IN THE BUTT to deal with. I removed my 03, and wouldn't do it again. I highly recommend masking it of to paint.. Although I'd consider removing in exchange of carbon fiber pieces to match the JCW dash, if some were available.

 

Correct , the only part of the three peiec dash and the five piece that is interchangeable in the center piece. 7/2004 was the split year.

Pre 7/2004 Gen 1 R50 R53



VS

Post 7/2004 Gen 1 R50 R53 & R52




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If you have the 5 piece dash we do have the rare wood dash decor kit, pre 7/2004.

Wood Interior Trim Kit - Dash 5 Piece Part # 51459141917INKT

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51459141917INKT/






On the door cards I believe they are interchangeable, I think the puddle light was introduced in 7/2004, think pre 7/2004 don't have the little cut out for the puddle lights, Also like RKW said the armrest pads are the shorter ones. , I believe the Y structure might be different where the tab mounts are for the armrest, so short armrest with short tab mounts.

The circle are molded to the door, so its a mod job to take them off and paint.



Thanks and good luck with the transformation. Sounds cool.