I finally got some "Add-a-Circuit" adapters for my GPS, iPhone charger and radar detector so I can permanently hardwire them. (Up to this point, I've been using a three-in-one adapter with my cigarette lighter.)

Does anyone know how to remove the dash pad on a 2005 or later first-gen car? The only thread I've found on the subject hasn't had any activity since one of the posters removed all ten screws he could find and *still* wasn't able to get the pad off.

 

I uploaded instructions from the BMW TIS manual to here: http://www.geocities.com/rkwoo@pacbe...ashRemoval.pdf (dash pad instructions followed by some of the preliminary steps).

I have at some point removed almost all the other interior trim in my cabrio to install wiring, but this one looks especially involved. Personally I would try to work out some other path for the wiring.

 

Yikes - thanks for posting that. It does look pretty involved.

I'm not too worried about the phone charger, since that will go in the Euro Parcel Shelf, or the radar detector because it's mounted up near the top of the windshield, and I already have its power cord going up the left A-pillar and across the headliner. The power cord already passes by the fuse box, so it will be easy to power it from there rather than the cigarette lighter.

I really only wanted access to the underside of the dash pad so I could route the power cable for the GPS. Here's where I have it mounted:



Right now the cable is snaking down the outside of the dash, between the Chrono gauge and the A/C vent, and then down to the cigarette lighter. I'll see if maybe I can't just tuck it under the front edge of the dash pad and go over behind the speedo/tach and then down to the fuse box.

 

It's a shame they changed it - the first gen is just four screws and you're done.

 

True - I wonder if the post-'04 dashes are less-susceptible to rattles & squeaks because of all of the extra fasteners? At least then there would be an upside.

 

I would look at running the wire behind the Chrono, which is relatively easy to take off.

 

Thanks for the suggestion - any special tips/tricks to getting the Chrono gauge out, or will it be obvious once I've taken the trim ring off? If I can get behind the Chrono gauge, I'm sure I can snake a path from there to the underside of the dash and then over to the glove box.

 

In '05+, the trim ring is attached to the dash trim panel and does not need to be removed separately. Remove the center dash trim panel; then the Chrono can be removed with 4 screws. See this: http://www.geocities.com/rkwoo@pacbe...entRemoval.pdf. You can follow the path of the Chrono's harness for your wiring.

See also the description of center speedo removal here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...with-pics.html

 

The link you placed from the Geocities site is no longer active, can you e-mail the pdf file to me? I get all of the dash pad screws removed, but there is something under the pad near the sensor in the middle of the dash pad that keeps the dash pad from comming out.

Any ideas?

 

Yeah, Yahoo (owner of Geocities) has shut down the site.

I've posted the pdf here: http://www.motoringalliance.com/gall...TopRemoval.pdf
However, it doesn't mention anything holding down the pad after removing screws.

 

Thanks for the link rkw, looks like it is the centering pin that is the culprit. I'm assuming that I just need to pull the dash pad a little bit more to dislodge it from the metal substructure.

Thanks!

 

Sometimes resurecting an old thread is a good thing.

I need to get the dash top off my 2006 MCSc for the same Garmin on Kuda bracket reason. The links to the proceedure do not work. Could you post them again or just email me the PDF?

Thanks in advance
RShrimp-at-Yahoo.com

 

Hey Everyone!

Does anybody happen to have that PDF? The link doesn't seem to work anymore.

Thanks!

 

The link would work, except that NAM has banned that MINI forum from being mentioned or linked here, out of petty vindictiveness.

You can go here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p-removal.html (post #12)

 

Thank you! That is exactly what I needed. Too bad it is such a pain to take off. :-(