51 42 001 Replacing left or right rear door trim panel

Necessary Preliminary Tasks: 

• Remove rear door trim panel. Refer to 51 42 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT REAR DOOR TRIM PANEL .
• Remove rocker switch for side window operation. Refer to 61 31 116 REPLACING ROCKER SWITCH FOR SIDE WINDOW OPERATION (REAR) .
• Remove rear speaker. Refer to 65 13 090 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING SPEAKER (MID-RANGE SPEAKER, DOOR AT REAR) .
• Remove airbag module from rear door. Refer to SIDE AIR BAG MODULE .
• Remove roller sun blind from side window in rear door. Refer to 51 16 405 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING BLIND AT SIDE WINDOW OF LEFT OR RIGHT REAR DOOR .
• Remove inside door opener on rear door. Refer to 51 22 225 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING INSIDE DOOR OPENER OF REAR LEFT OR RIGHT DOOR .
• Remove inside handle on rear door. Refer to 51 42 019 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING DOOR HANDLE ON DOOR TRIM PANEL, REAR LEFT OR RIGHT .
• Replace armrest. Refer to 51 42 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING ARMREST ON REAR LEFT OR RIGHT DOOR TRIM PANEL .
• Replace door pocket. Refer to 51 42 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING DOOR POCKET ON REAR LEFT OR RIGHT DOOR TRIM PANEL .

Version with interior light package: 

• Remove trim for door handle/door compartment light.

Version with rear smokers' package: 

If necessary, release screws (1) on rear door trim panel (2).

Fig 1: Locating Retaining Screws On Rear Door Trim Panel

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If necessary, feed out trim with ashtray (1) in direction of arrow from rear door trim panel (2).

Fig 2: Removing Trim With Ashtray

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Version with interior light package: 

Cut out opening (1) at moulding (2) with a scalpel.

Fig 3: View Of Opening In Moulding

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.