Interior trim — removal and installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Interior trim panels

1. The interior paneling panels are secured with screws or different types of fasteners.

2. Before removing the panel, you need to check whether the overlap of the adjacent panel interferes with this. Usually, the sequence of removal operations can be determined by careful inspection.

3. Remove any fasteners you find, such as screws. If the panel does not come off, it is held in place by clips or retainers that are not visible. These are usually located around the edge of the panel and can be removed by pulling them out. However, they can easily break when being pulled out. Therefore, you should have replacements for them. If you do not have a special tool for removing clips and retainers, it is best to use a large flat-head screwdriver. Note that to remove some retainers, you must first remove the center pin and then remove the retainer itself. Keep in mind that often, to remove the panel, you must remove the adjacent sealing strip.

4. When removing the panel, never apply excessive force to avoid damaging it. Always check carefully before removing the panel - all the fasteners are removed or released.

5. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal. Secure all fasteners by pressing them into place. To prevent rattling, make sure that all components that have been disassembled are securely fastened.

Front pillar trim

6. Since the airbag units are installed nearby, first disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal (see chapter 5A).

7. Using a wooden or plastic flat tool, carefully separate the trim from the rack (Fig. 27.7).





8. Remove the three screws and remove the trim, starting from the top edge (Fig. 27.8).



9. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Press firmly on all the fasteners and make sure that the trim is securely fastened.

Cladding of the middle pillar of the body (models "sedan" and "tourist")

10. Carefully lift the front door sill trim and detach it from the clips (fig. 27.10).



11. Starting from the bottom, pull the pillar trim inward and unclip it from the two clips. Remember how the bottom of the trim connects to the top (fig. 27.11).





12. Remove the bolt securing the seat belt to the inertia reel.

13. The bottom edge of the top trim panel is secured with two clips with central pins. Remove the central pins, then remove the clips themselves (fig. 27.13).



14. Pull the seat belt through the upper anchor, then lower the trim down and remove it. Note how the upper edge of the trim engages with the headliner (fig. 27.14).



15. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Press firmly on all the fasteners and make sure that the trim is securely fastened.

Cladding of the middle pillar of the body (coupe model)

16. Carefully lift the front door sill trim and detach it from the clips.

17. Remove the rubber door frame seal opposite the trim, then detach the front edge of the rear side trim panel by prying it away from the clips using a special tool or a flat-head screwdriver.

18. Remove the plastic plug and unscrew the front bolt securing the lower belt guide. Remove the belt from the guide.

19. The bottom edge of the top trim panel is secured with two clips with center pins. Remove the center pins, then remove the clips themselves (fig. 27.19, a, b).

Rear pillar trim (sedan and coupe models)

20. Hook the outer edge of the interior light lamp shade and remove the shade from the trim. Disconnect the electrical wiring connector from the shade.



21. Remove the rubber door opening seal opposite the rear pillar trim. Pull the upper edge of the trim, release it from the two clips and remove the trim (fig. 27.21).



22. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Press firmly on all the fasteners and make sure that the trim is securely fastened.

Rear pillar trim (tourist model)

23. Pull the top edge of the trim (towards the center of the salon) and disconnect the clamps (fig. 27.23).



24. Once the top edge of the trim has been released, slide the trim up and remove it.

25. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal.

Luggage compartment pillar trim (tourist model)

26. Open the luggage compartment door, press the button and lower the luggage compartment side trim panel shield.



27. The pillar trim is secured with two screws in the center and two clips on the top edge. Remove the screws, pull the top edge of the trim and release the clips, then remove the trim (fig. 27.27). After removing the panel, disconnect the luggage compartment lamp wiring connector.



28. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal.

Side trim panel (coupe model)

Note: On models with rear seat airbags, first disconnect the negative battery cable (see chapter 5A). Please wait at least 5 seconds before continuing.

29. Using a plastic wedge, carefully remove the window tie plug (Fig. 15.2).

30. Disconnect the rod from the window (Fig. 15.3).

31. Slide the seat belt to the side, then press in the center pin of the retainer that secures the plastic panel to the top of the side of the rear seat cushion (fig. 27.31). Remove the plastic trim from the window rod.



32. Remove the rear seat cushion (see paragraph 24).

33. Slide the rear seat back forward and use a screwdriver to release the upper clip, then slide the side section of the seat cushion (fig. 27.33).



34. Carefully detach the front door sill trim from the clips, then remove the rubber door opening seal in the area of the trim panel.

35. Carefully remove the airbag system emblem (if it exists) from the side speaker grille, then remove the mounting screw located under the emblem. Remove the two armrest mounting screws (fig. 27.35).



36. The side trim panel is secured with seven clips located around the perimeter of the panel. Using a special tool or a flat-head screwdriver, detach the clips and remove the panel from the car. Disconnect the electrical wiring connectors from the panel (remember their location).

37. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Press firmly on all the fasteners and make sure that the trim is securely fastened. Note that the window rod plug has internal protrusions that must fit into the rod groove.

Luggage compartment lining (tourist model)

38. Remove the trim from the rear pillar and luggage compartment pillar (see above).

39. Move the rear seat forward, detach the upper part of the side section of the trim in the area of the door opening, then lift the panel up and remove it (fig. 24.14).

40. Disconnect the two fasteners at the front end and remove the seat belt inertia reel trim from the side panel (fig. 27.40).



41. Remove the lower seat belt mounting bolt.

42. Remove the two mounting screws and remove the luggage compartment hinge support cover from the side panel (fig. 27.42).



43. Remove the center pin, then remove the retainer, unscrew the screws/nuts and remove the seat belt inertia reel trim (fig. 27.43).



44. Remove the screw and remove the trim from the lower edge of the rear side window (fig. 27.44).



45. Lift the panel flap, unscrew the screws and remove the "eye" from the side panel (fig. 27.45).



46. Carefully disconnect the 12V power connector from the side panel and disconnect the electrical wiring from the connector.

47. Remove the center pin, then remove the side panel lower edge retaining clip.

48. Pull the top edge of the panel out, then remove the panel, passing the power connector wiring through the hole in the panel.

Glove box

Driver's side glove box

49 Open the glove box, remove the two screws and remove the box (fig. 27.49). Disconnect all electrical wiring connectors from the box.

Passenger side glove box

50. Open the glove box and remove the pins from the lower strap/shock absorber supports (fig. 27.50).



51. Remove the mounting screws from the front panel and remove the glove box together with the hinges and bracket (fig. 27.51). Disconnect all electrical wiring connectors from the box.



52. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal.

Glove box lock

53. Open the glove box lid, unscrew the two fastening screws and remove the lock (fig. 27.53).

Rugs

54. The carpet of the passenger compartment is one piece and is secured at the edges with screws or fasteners, which are usually also used to secure the adjacent trim panels.

55. Installing and removing the carpet is a fairly simple procedure, but it is time consuming. This is because all adjacent trim panels must first be removed, as well as most components such as the seats, center console, and lower seat belt anchors.

Ceiling upholstery

56. The headliner is attached to the roof. It can only be removed after removing all the attached components such as handles, sun visors, sunroof (if available), windscreen, rear sections of side windows and corresponding trim panels, and after removal of door and hatch opening seals.

57. Please note that removing the headliner without damaging it requires experience. Therefore, it is better to leave this work to specialists.

Cup holders

58. Squeeze the edges of the tray and remove it together with the cup holders from the center console.

59. First install the tray, then insert the cup holders into it.

Rear seat headrests

60. Move the rear seat forward or remove the rear seat back (depending on the model) (see paragraph 24).

61. Press the central pin and remove the clips, then remove the trim of the front part of the rear shelf

62. Lift the front edge of the rear shelf trim, remove the clips and remove the headrest (fig. 27.62).



63. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Before installing the rear shelf trim, insert the headrest retainers (fig. 27.63).

Rear shelf (sedan and coupe models)

64. Move the rear seat forward or remove the rear seat back (depending on the model) (see paragraph 24).

65. Slide the upper part of the rear seat side section trim forward, then lift it up and remove it (fig. 27.65). Repeat this procedure for the other side of the lining.



66. Press the central pin and remove the clips, then remove the front part of the rear shelf trim.

67. Remove the trims from the rear body pillars (see above).

68. Lift up the front edge of the rear shelf trim, remove the clips and remove the head restraints (fig. 27.62).

69. Carefully remove the speaker trim on the rear shelf. Unscrew the bolts, disconnect the wiring connectors and remove the speakers. Remove the speaker fiber sockets.

70. Remove the rear shelf forward. If necessary, remove the lower seat belt mounting bolt and pass the belt through the hole in the shelf.

71. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Before installing the butt, insert the clips into the rear seat headrests (fig. 27.63).