I'm wrapping my OEM aluminum trim in my X3. The center console was easy. All you have to do is insert a trim removal wedge tool to the rear of the iDrive on the driver's side under the trim and then just pull up. Disconnect any wiring harnesses and then unscrew the left controls and the iDrive controller. I got the front dash trim piece by inserting a wedge near the a/c vent.

My problem is with the door trim. I can't seem to get it off. Unlike other BMW models where you work from the rear of the door forward, I can't seem to get it dislodged. Any suggestions. I'll post some pics of the wrap when I'm done. It's the 3M cf stuff.

Longbow64 wrote  

I'm wrapping my OEM aluminum trim in my X3. The center console was easy. All you have to do is insert a trim removal wedge tool to the rear of the iDrive on the driver's side under the trim and then just pull up. Disconnect any wiring harnesses and then unscrew the left controls and the iDrive controller. I got the front dash trim piece by inserting a wedge near the a/c vent.

My problem is with the door trim. I can't seem to get it off. Unlike other BMW models where you work from the rear of the door forward, I can't seem to get it dislodged. Any suggestions. I'll post some pics of the wrap when I'm done. It's the 3M cf stuff.

I would appreciate if you made a video on how to remove the trim on the dash

I'll take a couple pics to illustrate the removal. I only did that small piece on the passenger side. I'm keeping the other parts gloss black.

Here's a shot of my M3 center console that I did yesterday. Ran out of wrap, so I have some more coming in the mail.

Here are some pics of the center console, the area around the stereo and A/C controls, and the area on the front dash. I still can't figure out how to get the door trim pieces off. it looks like there's a hook that hooks up on the forward 1/3 of the trim. Knowing that, I still can't find the right angle to get the trim off.

Great Job- looks good:thumbsup:

You need to remove the entire door card and remove the three screws that hold the trim pieces in place

fjrmann wrote  

You need to remove the entire door card and remove the three screws that hold the trim pieces in place

You'd think they'd make this simple. It's like a 10 min job in the 3 series. Thanks for the info.

Got the rear doors done. First by separating the door handle. There's two torx screws back there. Then remove the tweeter cover. There's another torx screw in there. There's one more on the botom of the door panel. After you remove all the screws. Pull on the bottom and the majority of the pins pop out. The rail along the top was fairly difficult to pull off, but it does come off with just a little force. Once you pull the door panel off, there's two torx screws holding the rear door trim on the door panel. I'll do the front next weekend.

I like.

Thanks for posting this - you are doing a great job!

Longbow64 wrote

Got the rear doors done. First by separating the door handle. There's two torx screws back there. Then remove the tweeter cover. There's another torx screw in there. There's one more on the botom of the door panel. After you remove all the screws. Pull on the bottom and the majority of the pins pop out. The rail along the top was fairly difficult to pull off, but it does come off with just a little force. Once you pull the door panel off, there's two torx screws holding the rear door trim on the door panel. I'll do the front next weekend.

You need to take the entire door panel off just for the door trim? How long does that take?

Depends how bad the door panel wants to hold on. I'd say average time to get it off was about 20 min each. Couldn't figure out the driver door but was able to pull it off enough to get to the two screws holding onto the trim.

Wrapped the chrome pieces in the trunk too. Finally got the front doors done too. I'll post some pics when the suns out.

my rear chrome pieces have some signs of wear, slight scratches and such. will the wrap hide any imperfections in the part?

thanks

The wrap will hide most of the imperfections. If there are huge gashes or deep scrapes, they may be visibile but probably not nearly as visible as having the wrap. These pieces are fairly difficult to get perfect due to the ridges.

A couple shots of the trunk trim.

That looks really neat Longbow64, how did you remove those trunk parts?

ianfp wrote

That looks really neat Longbow64, how did you remove those trunk parts?

With a flat tip screw driver. I think I broke off a couple tabs doing so, but they both snapped right back in without those missing tabs. There's probably another way to do it.

Reviving this old thread! Seriously considering wrapping my Trim in CF vinyl. Alpine white exterior, black leather w/ silver trim at the moment. I am not really a huge fan of the silver trim so I think the CF vinyl will be a better look. Was looking into just replacing the trim with new CF trim but came across your thread. How good did the vinyl look in person? Were you happy with it?

looks awesome great job

and yes getting the front door trim off is a sob