E36 M3 luxury wood trim conversion

Jmannumber7 · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 02:43:27 AM

I searched Google and here and a bunch of other forums but couldn't find any definitive answers.

I know the passenger dash trim just pops out, so that will be easy. My question is, how do you remove the door handles if it is even possible?

Also, what about removing the shifter trim? I plan on going with a brushed aluminum look like that off of a sport package E46 car. Does anyone have any pictures of all the wood painted brushed aluminum? I already have a RK2 brushed aluminum knob from UUC and plan on getting their matching e-brake handle as well. Thanks!

BleedsBlue · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 04:20:51 AM

Pull the door panel off. Unscrew the door handle

fitchesbass · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 04:33:15 AM

^ it's not really quite that easy. The door handle is glued between the door panel insert and the door card thus once you remove the screws you still have to jiggle it out... subsequently making the insert "loose". You could reglue the insert to again I suppose, but I was always hesitant to try that.

Best advice is to check out member mike27's mod his GF/Wifey did awhile back and he just did a nice job of recovering them with black material. Search for his old thread.

GL.

BleedsBlue · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 04:35:08 AM

Really? Shoot, I couldn't tell there was any glue there. I'm just going to buy new door panels when I get rid of the wood.

fitchesbass · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 04:42:36 AM

^ that's what I ended up doing... but that's an expensive route

fitchesbass · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 04:45:23 AM

Looks like mike removed it anyway...

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=116776

But the issue I saw when I looked at this was the metal tabs that have the screws go through them are glue in between the panel - thus my original comment. Maybe there is a clever way to get around this...

Jmannumber7 · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 12:09:01 PM

Thanks guys!

Now, any pictures of someone running brushed aluminum?

Samon8ive · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 06:05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmannumber7

Does anyone have any pictures of all the wood painted brushed aluminum? I already have a RK2 brushed aluminum knob from UUC and plan on getting their matching e-brake handle as well. Thanks!

How exactly are you planning on painting the wood "brushed aluminum". Brushed is a finish and not a color, so I would recommend not going through the hassle of trying to paint on a texture, but look around and see if someone sells a brushed aluminum center console. I've never seen one, but then again there are lots of things I haven't seen.

SketchyD · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 06:39:43 PM

if you get all your wood off intact PM me i might want to buy.

Shaun55F · Tue, Mar-02-2010, 07:27:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SketchyD

if you get all your wood off intact PM me i might want to buy.

Firewood shortage in NH?

Tue, Mar-02-2010, 02:43:27 AM	#1
Jmannumber7 BrOke Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 180 Reputation: 0 Location: Chicagoland	E36 M3 luxury wood trim conversion I searched Google and here and a bunch of other forums but couldn't find any definitive answers. I know the passenger dash trim just pops out, so that will be easy. My question is, how do you remove the door handles if it is even possible? Also, what about removing the shifter trim? I plan on going with a brushed aluminum look like that off of a sport package E46 car. Does anyone have any pictures of all the wood painted brushed aluminum? I already have a RK2 brushed aluminum knob from UUC and plan on getting their matching e-brake handle as well. Thanks! __________________

Tue, Mar-02-2010, 04:33:15 AM	#3
fitchesbass Like a carpenter that makes stairs Join Date: Jul 2003 Age: 27 Posts: 15,846 Reputation: 0 Location: NoVA	^ it's not really quite that easy. The door handle is glued between the door panel insert and the door card thus once you remove the screws you still have to jiggle it out... subsequently making the insert "loose". You could reglue the insert to again I suppose, but I was always hesitant to try that. Best advice is to check out member mike27's mod his GF/Wifey did awhile back and he just did a nice job of recovering them with black material. Search for his old thread. GL. __________________

Tue, Mar-02-2010, 04:42:36 AM	#5
fitchesbass Like a carpenter that makes stairs Join Date: Jul 2003 Age: 27 Posts: 15,846 Reputation: 0 Location: NoVA	^ that's what I ended up doing... but that's an expensive route __________________

Tue, Mar-02-2010, 04:45:23 AM	#6
fitchesbass Like a carpenter that makes stairs Join Date: Jul 2003 Age: 27 Posts: 15,846 Reputation: 0 Location: NoVA	Looks like mike removed it anyway... http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=116776 But the issue I saw when I looked at this was the metal tabs that have the screws go through them are glue in between the panel - thus my original comment. Maybe there is a clever way to get around this... __________________

Tue, Mar-02-2010, 12:09:01 PM	#7
Jmannumber7 BrOke Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 180 Reputation: 0 Location: Chicagoland	Thanks guys! Now, any pictures of someone running brushed aluminum? __________________

Tue, Mar-02-2010, 06:39:43 PM	#9
SketchyD Relentlessly Awesome Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 531 Reputation: 0 Location: Seatbelt not required	if you get all your wood off intact PM me i might want to buy. __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode