51 45 030 Removing and Installing Instrument Panel Trim

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove both panels for front roof pillar.  See 51 43 201 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PANEL FOR ROOF PILLAR AT FRONT (A-PILLAR), LEFT OR RIGHT 
• Remove lighting control unit.  See 61 31 037 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING LIGHTING CONTROL UNIT
• Remove instrument cluster.  See 62 11 280 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
• Remove fixture for steering column switch.  See 61 31 006 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) FIXTURE FOR STEERING COLUMN STALK
• Remove control display.  See 65 82 010 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) CONTROL DISPLAY
• Remove control panel for heater - A/C system.  See 64 11 377 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) CONTROL PANEL FOR HEATER - A/C SYSTEM
• Remove footwell side trim panel on A-pillar on left.  See 51 43 070 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING SIDE TRIM PANEL, FOOTWELL, ON A-PILLAR, LEFT 
• Remove panel for (active) knee protector, left.  See 51 45 175 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PANEL FOR KNEE PROTECTOR ON LEFT  and/or 51 45 177 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING PANEL FOR ACTIVE KNEE PROTECTOR ON LEFT 
• Remove function carrier on panel for instrument panel.  See 51 16 170 REMOVING AND INSTALLING FUNCTION CARRIER ON PANEL FOR INSTRUMENT PANEL 
• Remove center console carrier section.  See 51 16 180 REMOVING AND INSTALLING CENTER CONSOLE CARRIER SECTION 
• Remove airbag module on passenger side.  See 72 12 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING AIRBAG MODULE ON PASSENGER SIDE
• Remove footwell side trim panel on A-pillar on right.  See 51 43 075 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING SIDE TRIM PANEL, FOOTWELL, ON A-PILLAR, RIGHT 

Disconnect plug connections (1) and (2).

1. Ignition starter switch
2. Solar sensor
   Fig 1: Identifying Plug Connections

   Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screw (1) on instrument panel (2) at bottom left.

Fig 2: Identifying Screw & Instrument Panel

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release nuts (1) and remove cover (2).

Fig 3: Identifying Nuts & Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1).

Remove holder (2) for function carrier.

Fig 4: Identifying Holder & Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screw (1) and nuts (2).

Move front seats back as far as possible.

Pull off instrument panel (3) in direction of arrow and lift out to right front door.

Fig 5: Identifying Instrument Panel, Screw & Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Fit new seals (pressed and vacuum-packed) shortly before installing instrument panel.

If necessary, compact old seals (1) (if well preserved) between two wooden blocks under high pressure for approx. 15 minutes.

Slide instrument panel with guides correctly into fixtures (2) and (3).

Fig 6: Identifying Seals & Fixtures

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.