On Chrono packed car. Got everything off but the hard stuff (go figure). but how in the world does one get the dual column gauge (speedo/tach) off and the center (chrono) ring off properly. I get the feeling i'm not in a good situation ..any help would be appreciated.

 

I dunno about the tach and speedo but the center bezel comes off as follows (assuming '05 or later): to remove the center section of the dash trim you have to provide clearance around the other two sections to do this first open the glovebox, now grab the bottom edge of the passenger side dash trim near the center section and pull towards you. you have to pull kinda hard and when it finally releases it will feel like you broke something but you're ok. Now pull down the knee bolster and pull the driver side section out the same way as the passenger side. pop off the black bezels around the hazard light and dimmer buttons. theres two torx screws (t-15?) on the top edge right near those bezels you just popped off, pull those out. Now get a good grip on the bottom of the center piece and yank it out. It will take some effort and wiggling to get the whole piece off the dash but it will come if you keep working at it. Once its off you should be able to see how the gauge surround is attached. If its anything like mine was you'll have to peel off a bunch of hot glue before you can get it off but an exacto knife make pretty quick work of it, just be careful not to cut off the little nubs that lock the tabs in place. Just dig under the glue a bit and peel up.

 

soofle, you rock. ...I'll be back - going to try right now.

 

soofle...if your about? How does the knee bolster come off ...does it yank off from the bottom?..or what am I doing wrong?..I tried to pull, but not very hard as I didn't want to break anything.

 

Saakey, I have taken off several pieces in the 05/06 interior, so if you need step by step instructions, send me a PM or you can post here. For the speedometer/tach piece:

1. Lower steering column all the way to reveal two torx screws behind the tach/speedometer. Remove the screws.

2. Pull out the tach/speedometer, unplug the green clip on the back of it, so you can remove the whole unit to work on it.

3. Now, on the back of the tach/speedometer (the black side) remove all the screws.

4. You are going to have to gently pry the back off the front now. Take your time, it just takes a little bit of work to get it off without breaking anything.

5. Once you have the back off, look on the front half now (the side with the display) and turn it over (you will see the chip and all that good stuff). If you look on the outer edge of it, there are about 5 metal clips going around the outside. They unhook really easily. Do this to all of those black metal clips.

6. After that, you should be able to remove the ring.

 

detailed how to on MINI2 FAQ&DIY but take a flat head screwdriver and on both sides about 2 in inward slip in gap and lift, it will pop out, thensome prying sdie to side is needed to get it all the way out. MINI2 aslo cautioned about something but I can't remember what

 

Oh, and if you are interested in selling your stock interior pieces, I may be interested. Send me a PM .

 

got the steering column done...stuck on center piece..I can't seem to pull it off to save my life...do I need to completely take off the glove box upper cover piece first? (if so, how) - it really seems to be in the way for pulling center cover off. But still seems as if the center air vents are also holding all this together...how do the vents separate from the vent tubing (behind)? I'm stuck here

 

Are you talking about the piece that is around your chrono pack thing in the middle?

 

yes, well if you look at this picture you will see what is left after you (should be able to) take off the cover portion...but for some reason, when I go to take mine off it starts to pull the whole black piece (backing) with it - Like the piece you see left here after cover comes off...i.e. well mine wants to come off with the cover...I wonder if being a 2006 model it's different than everyone

in other words, if you look at this picture here,,,this is what mine is trying to look like when I'm just trying to take the cover off..everything wants to come with it - like this (but it won't)

 

Oh, sorry, can't offer any tips there as I have the navigation system :( .

 

That's okay... I'll get it off someday . But I do appreciate all the help that you already gave..I owe you one

 

That's exactly right. First remove the two vent bezels (rotate then pull). Everything comes out as one piece. Once out, disconnect the harness plug, and you can take the whole piece, instruments and all, over to the bench to heat away the hot glue. Just re-melt the little blobs of hotglue with a plugged in hot glue gun. After the swap, you can opt to leave it alone or put new dabs of hot glue on. The glue probably keeps it mounted flush and from rattling.

 

This seems like an incredible amount of work, especially for someone who is not mechanically inclined. Can anyone comment on the chrome trim kits that come with double face tape on the back? Do they look good? Do they fit good? Thanks.

 

Do i need to remove the cover above the glovebox first? Also, everything seems to be hung-up under the dash pad...I don't want to tug and pull too hard - I'm afraid of pulling it out, possibly breaking something, and or never being able to get it back together again ... I take it you've done this before? Should I be removing more items first? Thanks for any help

 

On newer MINIs there are two screws that hold the back piece behind the center trim into the top of the dash (as shown in the pic you attached above).
There are clips along the top edge of the trim that latch over the back piece and under the dash trim - because of the screws, you can't free those clips so you can't lever the trim piece out from under the dash.

I recently had my trim piece replaced at MINI of Peabody - the tech just removed the two screws and pulled the complete trim & back piece off. Then he could change the trim, and put the whole assembly back.

 

you just mean the two red circles they show in this photo, right?


If so, i've taken those off, but it really didn't seem to loosen a thing

 

Hi!

If you haven't yet, you do need to open the driver's door, pop off the side panel of the dash, and remove the two torx screws there. This lets you raise up on the dash board, so you can "unhook" the two hanger-type hooks at the center section, and make it possible to reinstall at the end.
If you haven't yet, you also need to twist and remove your old silver vent bezels, as they hold the center in place as well.
Apparently, some vehicles may have two lower screws angling up into the center section, that you access by opening the glove box and kick panel below the steering wheel. Check for them.
Having done those things, the center section should come out as a whole:


Click this link to REALOEM to see the diagram:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...=62&fg=05&hl=1

Then, look through this thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=62635

and follow the links there:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=60243

and there:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59403

and there:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...=20#post869970

and there:
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/chrome.html

 

Thanks a lot for all those links and info - great find ...So i take it the dash is only held on by those 2 screws on either side of the dash? ...shoot, I wish I knew that going into this...I've since put everything back together with everything chrome except the center ring ...I'll have to tackle this another weekend

 

On GBMINI#2, an '03, I just levered the original speedo ring off - there was some glue holding part of it, but it just came off; I never needed to remove the trim pieces.
I guess they fasten everything together much more now.

But when the tech at MINI Peabody removed the center trim piece, he did not have to remove the top of the dash to do it.

 

count that as 2 lucky strikes for you ... Mine wouldn't budge either way - it is glued very well and completely stuck up under the dash . Looks as if I'll have to pull up the dash and try to tackle this again. :impatient