Page 880 of 1002

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
I lnterior Trim
This repair group covers interior trim removal and installation
procedures.
- Refer to the following repair groups for additional information:
250 Gearshift Linkage
41 1 Doors (interior door panels)
@ 612 Switches
620 Instruments
640 Heating and Air Conditioning [IHKA control panel!
650 Radio
721 Airbag System (SRS)
lnterior trim repairs
lnterior trim and finish panels are clipped or screwed into
place. Many of the trim retaining clips are designed
to be used
only once. When removing trim that is held in place with clips,
it is a good idea to have spare clips on hand before beginning
the job.
WARNING-
Special precautions must be observed when servicing the
BMWSupplementai Restraint System (SRS). Serious inju-
ry may result if system service is attempted by persons un-
familiar with the BMW
SRS and its approved service
procedures. BMW
speciiies that all inspection and service
should be performed by an authorized BMW
dealer.
Before performing any work involving airbags, discon-
nect the negative
() battery cable. See 721 Airbag
System (SRS).
Airbags contain a back-uppowersupply within the SRS
control module. A
5 second discharge period should be
allowed after the battery cable has been disconnected.
CAUTION-
* When working on electrical switclies or lights, always dis-
connect the negative
(-) cable from the battery and insu-
late the cable end to prevent accidental reconnection.
a Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery dis-
connection cautions given in
W1 General Warnings
and Cautions.
To prevent marring the trim when working on interior
components, work with plastic prying
tools or wrap the
tips of screwdrivers and pliers with tape before prying
Page 885 of 1002

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
Interior Trim
The E39 dashboard assembly includes the instrument clus-
ter, passenger side
airbag, glove compartment, fuse and re-
lay panel, radio. IHKA control panel oron-board monitor (if
equipped with GPS). The dash is made up of an upper and
lower sections. The lower section must be remove before the
upper section can be removed.
Dashboard removal is a complex operation. Read the proce-
dures through before starting work.
Lower dash panel assembly, removing and
installing
- Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery and cover termi-
nal with
insulating material.
--7
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the battery, read the battery discon-
nectioncautionsgiven atthe irontin001 General Warnings
and Cautions.
- Place steering column in down and extended position.
4 Remove left side foot well panel fasteners (A and B).
< Using a plastic trim tool, gently pry left and right steering col-
umn trim panels (white arrow) to remove and release snap
clip on column boot
(black arrow).
I 1 < Remove instrument cluster trim panel fasteners (arrows).
Pull trim panel out and disconnect harnesses for light
switches.
- Remove radio volume control knob.
Page 890 of 1002
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
513-12
Interior Trim
< Remove steering column trim panel by releasing clips (ar-
rows).
< Remove left side mounting fasteners (arrows).
Lilt dash panel upwards and remove through passenger
door.
- Installation is the reverse of removal.
Window and door post trim panels,
removing and installing
Windshield post trim (A pillar), removing and Installing
- On 1998 and later cars, disconnect battery negative (-) cable
I
WARNING-
On 1998 and later models, front Head Protection System
(HPS)
airbags are installed in the driver and passenger side
windshieldpost
trim (A-pillar). See 721 Airbag System
(SRS) for warnings and cautions regarding airbags.
< Remove A-p~llar trim panel fastener cap (arrow)
Page 892 of 1002
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
51 3-1 4
llnterior Trim
Carefully pry bottom of upper trim panel away from door post
to release clips.
Pull upper trim panel straight down (arrow) to remove.
Installation is reverse of removal.
If necessary replace defective or
broken mounting clips.
Rear window pillartrim (C-pillar), removing and installing
(models without rear
HPS airbags)
1 I
WARNING-
On 1998 and later models, rear Head Protection System
(HPS)
airbags may be installed (optional equipment) in the
driver and passenger side C-pillar area.
The procedure given
below does not cover models with rear HPS airbags. See
721 Airbag System (SRS).
4 Carefully pry interior light out of C-pillar trim panel and dis-
connect wiring harness.
Carefully pry trim panel out at top to release clips,
- Pull trim panel straight up to remove.
- lnstallation is reverse of removal.
If necessary replace defective or broken mounting clips.
Page 893 of 1002

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
51 3-1 5
I Interior Trim
Dash panel support, removing and
installing
- Remove lower dash panel. See Lower dash panel assem-
bly, removing and installing.
- Remove upper dash panel. See Upper dash assembly, re-
moving and installing.
- Remove upper steering column fasteners. See 320 Steering
and Wheel Alignment.
4 Remove dash support fasteners (arrows).
Remove wire ties as necessary and remove support.
- Installation is reverse of removal.
Rear parcel shelf, removing and installing
(models without rear
HPS airbags)
WARNING-
On 1998 and later models, rear Head Protection System
(HPS)
airbags may be installed (optional equipment). The
procedure given below does not covermodels with rear HPS
airbags. See721
Airbag System (SRS).
- Remove C-pillar trim panels. See Rear window pillar trim
panel (C-pillar), removing and installing.
- Remove rear seat backrest. See 520 Seats.
- Rear parcel shelf removing:
Remove center headrest fasteners.
Remove
seatbelt floor mounting fasteners.
Carefully pry out safety belt trim panels and feed
seatbelt
through slots.
. . . - -. . . . . . . . . Remove expansion rivets and slide pane fonvard to re-
move.
< Remove expanson r:vets (arrows).
Remove vent panels (A).
Remove speafter pane s (B).
Remove center head rest s-pporl fasteners (C).
Slioe parcel shelf forward lo remove.
- lnsta lation s reverse of removal.
Page 910 of 1002

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
51 5-1 6
Central Locking and Anti-Theft
DOOR HANDLES AND LOCKS
In the procedures that follow, door handle removal, door lock
cylinder removal and door latch removal are covered for the
left front door. Other doors are similar although simpler, due
to the
lack of lock cylinder.
Inside door release removal is covered in the procedure for
inner door
ane el removal. See 411 Doors.
Door handle (outer), removing and
installing
NOTE-
IfBMWspecial tools 51 3201 and51 3 203 are available, the
door handle can be removed without removing the door trim
panel or door
airbag. Use the access hole behind the rubber
sealing plug on the door edge.
- Close window on front door.
- Disconnect battery negative (-) cable.
CAUTlOG
Prior to disconnecting the batter)! read the battery discon-
nection cautions given
in 001 General Warnings and Cau-
tions.
Remove front door trim panel. See 411 Doors.
Remove door-mounted air bag. See 721
Airbag System
(SRS).
Remove rubber sealing plug (arrow) from door edge
NOTE-
In the photo below, door handle and lock cylinder carrier are
shown on the work bench for clarity.
Working inside door cavity:
- Use long thin screwdriver to release locking tab A. Push
screwdriver through hole for rubber sealing plug.
Slide locking plate
B toward front of door.
Working on outside of door, lift out lower edge of handle and
pull down to remove.
Installation is reverse of removal,
Tightening torques
Airbag to door (replace screws) 8.5 Nrn (75 in-lb)
Page 911 of 1002
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
Central Locking and ~nti-~heel
Door latch, removing and installing
- Close window on subject door and open all other windows.
- Disconnect battery negative (-) cable
CAUTION-
Prior to disconnecting the batterl: read the battery discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Warnings and Cau-
tions.
- Remove door trim panel. See 411 Doors.
- Remove air bag. See 721 Airbag System (SRS).
- Remove outer door handle. See Door handle (outer), re-
moving and installing.
< Working inside door cavity, release loclting tabs (arrows)
and open protective cover.
Pull down on electrical harness connector (arrow) to re-
lease.
< Working inside door cavity, next to outside door sltin:
Disconnect door lock cylinder Bowden cable from latch as-
sembly arm
(A) and support (B).
Disconnect microswitch connector (arrow).
Page 912 of 1002

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine
51 5-1 8
I Central Locking and Anti-Theft
< Working at outer door edge:
Disconnect inside door release
Bowden cable guide by
sliding mounting clip (A) forward.
Remove latch mounting fasteners
(B) and (C) and remove
latch.
NOTE-
In the photo below, door handle assembly and latch assem-
bly are shown removed from the car
for clarity.
Installation: Slide latch into position in door making sure that
cross-shaped tip of door
loclc cylinder mechanism fits cor-
rectly into corresponding opening in latch mechanism (in-
set).
Remainder of installation is reverse of removal. Operate
loclc
using key before installing door trim panel.
Tightening torques
Airbag to door (replace screws) 8.5 Nm (75 in-lb)
Outer door lock cylinder, removing and
installing
- Close window on subject door. Open all other windows
- Disconnect battery negative (-) cable.
CA UTIOIG
Prior to disconnecting the baffeg read the battery discon-
nection cautions given in
001 General Warnings and Cau-
tions.
- Remove door trim panel. See 411 Doors.
- Remove door air bag. See 721 Airbag System (SRS).
- Remove outer door handle. See Door handle (outer), re-
moving and installing.
- Remove door latch. See Door latch, removing and install-
ing.