Did a search, and might have missed this...but....

How do you remove the center console? Ive got the screws on the side beams, the 2 in the cup holders. I have seat heaters, so are the remaining 2 under the switch panel? Im trying to pull that panel out with no luck yet.

Previous owner was a coffee drinker and kept that ridiculous cup holder in and achieved being able to occasionally spill coffee here and there (dried up coffee dripped down side beam and splattered on radio, gauges, etc. and apparently to F'n lazy to clean up after themselves) and Im trying to clean it all up...and possible paint all the trim now that Im yanking it all to clean.

Pics or directions would be helpful....

TIA!

 

Yes, there are screws under the switch panel. The panel can be pried off. That's how I've always done it, but I think you can also pull off the shifter trim ring, reach in and push up the switches from below.

 

Does the shifter trim ring just pull straight off, or does it have to be twisted to unlock it? Tried both, but didnt want to strong arm it and risk breaking anything.

I got the very top trim cover of the switch panel off (popped off the seat heater buttons, didnt take off the mirror adjustment), but wasnt able to pop the entire switch unit out.

Thanks!

 

rkw is right.
A really small flat head screw driver can also help pop up those switches so you can get to the screws. Just be careful not to 'dent' the edges...or you can do what rkw mentions and pull firmly up on the shift ring. It is held in by 4 pins, and pops right up.

 

If you go to realoem.com you can see exactly how the whole thing is put together.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...21&hg=51&fg=35
This will take you to the area you need. I am not sure, but the shifter ring may come apart differently than on my 02, which just took a firm pull to remove. Anyway, those diagrams should help.

 

BTW, if you just wanted to take the radio etc off the center stack for cleaning, pull down on the side columns (after removing the screws). They'll drop down an inch and release from the top, then you can spread them apart to expose the screws holding the radio and other components. To completely remove the side columns, you have to unfasten the floor center console.

As moody says, the shifter ring just pulls off. If it doesn't come off, pull harder .

 

Yeah, I when I pulled the passenger side column, I saw thats how you get to the bolts for the radio, etc. I picked up the Mini yesterday and immediately wanted to rip out the cup holder. Stupid design if you ask me amongst everything else that is high tech and purposeful in the car. It just doesnt work....besides, your supposed to be driving the wheels off the car with a sh-t eating grin on your face, not sipping on your coffee like some priss.

Anyhow, I'll have to come back to the center console removal later. Cleaned as much as I could before the rain clouds opened up.

 

well I do drive the **** out of the car with a smile on my face, but then again I have to have the cup holder, if you're talking about the one on the center console. I've already figured out that it has to be something with a lid, or sealed cause cans and coffee cups do just that, spill all over the damn place.

Thanks for the link on removing the console, I've got to take it apart here soon to add my subwoofer control **** down there, somewhere.

 

as stated the switch panel is just held in with some plastic tabs and you can 'pry' it up.

Use something wood or plastic tho rather than a screwdriver to reduce the chance you'll mar the surfaces

if in central FL you may want to look into

http://www.sunshineminis.org/

 

I think its annoying and poor design to just have it floating out there like that. It gets in the way for both driver and passenger. For me, it just doesnt work...im sure others feel differently.

Yeah, I used a flat head wrapped in cloth to try to pop the panel. I got the upper top trim to pop loose, but the entire switch unit was still in the console. I really couldnt get a good angle or enough space to dig in deeper. I think im going to go the route of pulling the trim ring around the shifter boot off and see if I can pop it out from that direction.

I live in Deltona/Orlando, already was looking at Sunshine. Looks like I just missed the last meet, so I'll plan to hit the next one. Do you guys do the pulley parties? The need for more boost is strong.

 

I had this same problem - the top plate would pop up but the rest would not. I ended up yanking up the trim ring and pushing from below. It was way easier.