Quick question - is the interior dash on a MCS removable? I am considering removing it and painting it a glossy black as well as all the other interior bits if it is indeed removable. Thanks

 

It's all removable. Some parts require more disassembly than others though. I got mine body colored through ordering. Love it.

 

Just be careful - black glossy paint might scratch up very easily

 

Thanks for the quick replies! Does anyone know how to get the dash off? I was just in my car and was able to figure out how to get most of it off, but did not fool around with the dash too much.

 

The dash pad is easy enough to remove (4 screws).
Open both doors, remove plastic end caps on the side of dash, (they just clip on) pry them w a screw driver, just be gentle, also if you pull the rubber door seal out they come out easier.
Next you will need a torque screw driver (T20), remove 2 screws on each side off dash and after that its just a matter off popping it out, but do it gently, the dash kind of has to fold a bit on the center to clear gages abouve the steering wheel.
As for painting it....its vynil, so you should use vynil paint, check w your automotive paint store,
hope this helps.

 

good luck!!!!
and post pictures for us to see!!

 

Hey guys, thanks again for the replies...The dash is vinyl? I thought it was plastic, thanks for the heads up. Are the other interior pieces vinyl as well, or are they plastic because I just bought some plastic spray paint from the hardware store...I can always exchange it though.


Will definetly post pictures when it's all done.

 

the "dash pad" is vinyl, the other bits and pieces all around it are plastic, again, I'm assuming you are talking about the dash pad so.......vinyl paint is the way to go

 

Hmm...I am talking about the horizontal pieces above the glovebox and across the rest of the interior. Is this also referred to as the "dash pad"? See below in the picture of the JCW dash.

 

Ok I see what you whant to do, those are plastic, and its a bit more involving on the removal, not that hard but a few more screws and clips to remove, also beware that you have the airbag behind those plastic pieces, above the glove box, you should be carefull wen working around it.
The glove box will have to be removed also, along with the kick panel below the steering, etc etc.
Again, its not hard to remove but it takes pacience and time, good luck

 

I will give it a try and see how it turns out. Thanks for your help.

 

I have the actual assembly drawings that I referred to when I removed and swapped mine out (on an '05). Removal is a little different on the earlier models but if you want the diagrams, let me know and I'll shoot you a PDF. My JB/W MCS started with an anthracite dash and doors but is now sporting CR dash and doors to tie in with the red/white/black custom bonnet, roof and boot graphics I added. Wasn't difficult to remove or replace any of the panels.

 

PM with pics and BMW instructions sent. Good luck, its really an easy removal and reinstallation on an '05-'06.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...29&postcount=2

Helped me do mine. Yes, gotta watch out for scratches. Use LOTS of clearcoat.

 

I used Vinyl-plastic paint on mine it came out nice.(see gallery) Several light coats. About 10 so you can still see the pebble texture on the dash.It was a semi gloss paint. From my local hardware store. Good luck don't forget the pics.

 

Hey, what kind of prep work did you do on it?

 

Is that red stiching on leather or red graphics on plastic?

 

That picture is not from my car, but, it a new JCW Dash coming out, and I believe its leater with red stitching.

 

Removal of the three dash pieces on an '05 and newer is a relatively simple task. The DS and PS pieces are held in place with friction clips. The center section is secured with friction clips and a couple of screws, and you have to remove the trim surrounding the vents and the two lighting buttons. There is no need to remove the vinyl dash cap on the newer models that have three dash panels (instead of the 5 panel earlier versions).

Since I still have the original '05 anthracite panels I swapped out, I'll take the removal instructions that I have (for '02-'04 models) and a few pics and create a simple "how-to" and post it here within the next couple of days.

 

Well, I got off the dash and all the interior pieces and now I am in the middle of spraying. It is turning out great. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Will post pictures as soon as I'm finished. Anyone know how to get the pillars off?

 

It's a piece of cake to remove the downtubes on my October '04 MCC. Drop the knee bolster on DS, remove the two Torx screws on the left downtube, and then remove the two Torx screws that hold the cupholder in place on the PS downtube. Once the bottom of the center dash bezel has been lifted up/out, you should be able to tilt the top of the downtubes toward the rear of the car and just lift them out. :smile:

Something has changed on the later '05s and I haven't figured it out yet. My MCS is an August '05 build and the downtubes seem to be attached somwhere at/in the bottom console - can't get them out no matter how hard I've tried. Maybe someone else has had better luck getting them out of post- Jan '05 builds and can chime in here. It feels as if they are being held in place with adhesive tape and not with a fastener.

 

Same here for the tubes. I took all the screws out, but it seems they are stuck on something next to the cupholders preventing them from coming out. Anyways, pictures are attached of the interior bits after painting before install. Still waiting for the paint to fully dry before re-installing (the pictures are not to great though - looks a lot better in person).

 

Here are some pictures after putting everything back into one piece. One word...amazing!

 

Here is one more.

 

Wiped it down with paint prep. Its in a spray bottle. I also got that from my local hardware store. Once i did that i made sure i didn't touch the dash.Until after the paint was dry.