51 44 011 Removing and installing / replacing headliner (with slide / tilt sunroof)

Special tools required: 

• 00 9 323
• 54 1 230

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove sun visors and counter-supports, refer to 51 16 080 Removing and installing or replacing sun visor and left or right counter support 
• Remove all grab handles, refer to 51 16 480 Removing and installing or replacing front grab handle 
• Remove panels for front roof pillar (A-pillar trims), refer to 51 43 201 Removing and installing or replacing trim for front left or right roof pillar 
• Remove panels for door pillar (B-pillar trims, top), refer to 51 43 148 Removing and installing or replacing trim on left or right door pillar (top) 
• Remove panels for rear roof pillar (C-pillar trims), refer to 51 43 255 Removing and installing / replacing trim for rear left or right roof pillar (front) 
• Remove rear console insert/make-up mirror in rear compartment, refer to 51 44 180 Removing and installing / replacing rear console insert / make-up mirror in rear compartment 
• Remove switch for slide/tilt sunroof, refer to 61 31 175 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING SWITCH FOR SLIDE/TILT SUNROOF
• Remove hands-free microphone, refer to 84 11 550 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING HANDS-FREE MICROPHONE
• Remove left/right mirror light, refer to 63 31 050 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING MIRROR LIGHT
• Remove insert on front console, refer to 51 44... REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING FRONT CONSOLE INSERT 

E65 only:

• Remove left front seat, refer to 52 14 000 REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (NORMAL/ELECTRIC)

E66 with rear A/C system only:

If necessary, remove both control elements for rear A/C system

Lever out left expander rivet (1).

Fig 1: Removing Left Expander Rivet

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Completely open slide/tilt sunroof.

Release screws (2) on mounting frame (3).

Fig 2: Releasing Screws On Mounting Frame

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement only:

If necessary, replace nuts in headlining.

Version 1:

Slide floating roofliner (1) behind headliner (3).

Fig 3: Removing Screws Between Mounting Frame & Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release remaining screws between mounting frame and glass sunroof cover with special tool 54 1 230.

Release screws on mounting for bracket at rear.

Version 2:

Connect BMW diagnosis system and Service function:

• Body
• Locking and security functions
• Slide/tilt sunroof
• Select delivery position.

Remaining screws on mounting frame are now accessible and can be released.

Installation: 

Insert 2 special tools 00 9 323 between roof outer skin and water gutter. This prevents the water gutter on the roof outer skin from being twisted when the glass slide/tilt sunroof is closed.

Fig 4: Inserting Special Tools

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

E65 only:

Move seat back of front seat to max. rear position.

E66 only:

Move left front seat and seat back to max. rearward/downward position.

Move right front seat and seat back to max. forward/upward position and cover seat back.

Press roofliner (1) towards rear out of metal lugs (2) and remove to left (E65) or right (E66) rear door.

Fig 5: Removing Roofliner

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Following parts of headliner (5) must not be damaged or missing:

1. Mounting for console, front
2. Metal nuts for cover frame
3. Mounting for console, rear
4. Mounting to roof, rear

Fig 6: Locating Headliner Components

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

There is still no special tool available for attaching headliner at rear. If necessary, use special tool 51 4 000 from E38/E39.

Installation sequence:

1. Carefully attach headliner at rear.
2. Secure roofliner at front with expansion rivet (in left counter support of sun visor)
3. Screw down grab handles at rear on left/right
4. Screw down grab handles at front on left/right
5. Screw down sun visors and counter supports
6. Screw down headliner at light aperture at front