New Dash...

[Alpine003]

Finally found a dash locally to replace my cracked one. A couple good side effects from the swap was better heat for the cold months. Apparently my old dash had a bunch of nest stuffing in the ducts and didn't blow as hard. The cables weren't also adjusted properly to close the flaps all the way. It also gave me a chance to replace all my dash bulbs and reroute my wiring for my radar detector and remote start antenna to a better location.

[bmwman91]

Wow....that looks like a hell of a job! How long did this take?

[asubimmer]

well dang good work. I also would like to know how much time all that takes, or patience lol

[Alpine003]

Actually, if you know what you're doing, it's very easy and only requires 3 tools: 1 flat head, 1 phillips, 1 10mm ratchet.

As for time, it's hard to say since I was multi-tasking, taking a break, watching the Bears game(boo), eating, etc. Hey, it was a Sunday so a day for relaxing. haha.

But I figure around 3 hours max. Maybe 4 hours for the avg guy that is doing it for the first time.

[D. Clay]

It took me all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
D.Clay's labor rate guide: Flat rate X 2!

[M42boy]

Actually, if you know what you're doing, it's very easy and only requires 3 tools: 1 flat head, 1 phillips, 1 10mm ratchet.

As for time, it's hard to say since I was multi-tasking, taking a break, watching the Bears game(boo), eating, etc. Hey, it was a Sunday so a day for relaxing. haha.

But I figure around 3 hours max. Maybe 4 hours for the avg guy that is doing it for the first time.

It's quite a job, but really not that hard. Once everything is unscrewed and out of the way, you can lift the dash out by yourself. It's actually pretty light. It was easier than I thought it would be. The thing to remember is just take your time and don't force anything. I'd get some zip-loc baggies and label them with what each of the screws is for. There are about a million of them.

BTW, if anyone needs one locally (in Atlanta area), I have a good (non-cracked) 318iS dash. I'm not shipping it, but if someone wants to pick it up, I do have one for sale.

[Febi Guibo]

http://ee1394.com/bmw/dash.jpg

it took me a while... I'm a bit of a klutz. On jay's car (denis + jay working together) it was like 3+ hours.

I highly recommend it... it's a great time to fix annoying shit in the cluster and the various console stuff, correct problems with a crappy stereo install, run new better wires, do an OBC retrofit, etc etc.

There is naturally a moment where you are like... OMG how am I ever going to get this reassembled!

these writeups all helped:
http://forums.mwerks.com/zerothread?id=2231577
http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/dashboard.html
http://home.comcast.net/%7Ecdeegan9/dashboard/dashboard_1.html

[doucy2]

Yea I pulled mine out of my parts car in one afternoon, and I really need to put it my car but finding the time is the hardest thing.

If I do decide to replace it, I will be replacing my cracked grey speaker covers with black ones, re-wiring my front speakers, and intergrating a psp.

I found the hardest part is removing the HVAC panel, any tips?

[john318isau]

I found the hardest part is removing the HVAC panel, any tips?

Don't remove it. Just remove the front panel. Take off all the knobs then use a flat screwdriver to pry off the platic cover around the horizontal controls. Under there you will find a couple of screws to separate the HVAC controls from the radio/HVAC plastic panel.

[doucy2]

Don't remove it. Just remove the front panel. Take off all the knobs then use a flat screwdriver to pry off the platic cover around the horizontal controls. Under there you will find a couple of screws to separate the HVAC controls from the radio/HVAC plastic panel.

Thanks for the tip
i'll try it out