[perryo91]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has found a solution to getting this blue trim along the driver/passenger doors? My car's got it only along the dash.

I've read that it's very difficult to pull them out individually because of how they are clipped. Also that some users have taped everything off and spray painted. I personally might go the vinyl route as I think I've found a good color match.

Just wanted to know if anyone found a better solution before I pull the trigger on the vinyl wrap and try to be very careful with the heat gun.

Thanks!

Here's a pic I pulled off google (my car is the exact same) for reference, you can see at the both edges of the pic the trim "flow" becomes black instead of blue:

[kevinjt]

I want to do the same. My local wrap shop told me that they have a very similar color. If it convinces me, ill wrap them.

[perryo91]

Yeah I was hoping for options other than vinyl, but it seems like thats the only thing. Just gotta find a matching color.

[roll_the_dice]

Other than vinyl, you can paint it as you said by either masking it off or taking it out. You may be able to buy replacement strip in a color from getbmwparts.com. I know they sell the black ones for about $100 each.

I am going to take mine off and paint them. It isn't that hard to take off...just tedious.

[roll_the_dice]

I think UKF30 did a DIY on how to take it off and paint it. I know he did his in EBII I believe.

[Dang3r]

Huh? Thats the first time I see the EBII trim lines only at the center trim panels and not at doors and rear compartment...

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Huh? Thats the first time I see the EBII trim lines only at the center trim panels and not at doors and rear compartment...

BMW didn't start putting them on the doors until 2015 or newer. I know 2014 and 2013 don't have them on the doors. Mine is a 2013 and it doesn't have them...only on the 2 dash trim pieces.

[perryo91]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Other than vinyl, you can paint it as you said by either masking it off or taking it out. You may be able to buy replacement strip in a color from getbmwparts.com. I know they sell the black ones for about $100 each.

I am going to take mine off and paint them. It isn't that hard to take off...just tedious.

I thought I saw multiple posts saying that taking off/putting on was very difficult and required removing the whole door panel because of the clips that held it in place? Is that what you're planning on doing?

[roll_the_dice]

You do have to take off the door panel, but taking off the door panel is not difficult at all.

Here is a video how to swap out speakers in the door panel but the first 5 minutes is how to take off the door panel...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBR33bQdMBg

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

You do have to take off the door panel, but taking off the door panel is not difficult at all.

5 minutes, actually. But it's not clipped in place per se, it's attached with plastic 'rivets' that are melted into place. In short, forgetaboutit. Wrapping is the only viable option, and you have to be sure you don't cover the bottom where the ambient light strip is. It's not difficult for a wrap master, but daunting for a newbie.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

5 minutes, actually. But it's not clipped in place per se, it's attached with plastic 'rivets' that are melted into place. In short, forgetaboutit. Wrapping is the only viable option, and you have to be sure you don't cover the bottom where the ambient light strip is. It's not difficult for a wrap master, but daunting for a newbie.

I was saying the door card is easy to remove. The door ambient lighting trim pieces are melted in place with plastic rivets...just like the dash trim...that can be taken apart and put back together just like below. The LED strip will also come out...

I have taken dozens of interior dash trim apart and plastic welded them back together. It is not that hard, but you can't be afraid to break something the first time you do it. The first time I did it, I was nervous...after that not so much. I will be doing the door cards on my car soon.





Here is a post of UKF30 taking his door part and the pieces after it is done...

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...8&postcount=12

[Dang3r]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

BMW didn't start putting them on the doors until 2015 or newer. I know 2014 and 2013 don't have them on the doors. Mine is a 2013 and it doesn't have them...only on the 2 dash trim pieces.

Cant confirm, mine was a build 11/13 and entry into service 03/14, all around blue trim lines. That was one of my requirements cos' I loved the colour.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Cant confirm, mine was a build 11/13 and entry into service 03/14, all around blue trim lines. That was one of my requirements cos' I loved the colour.

All bets are off with a Euro build. You guys always get stuff we don't.

[perryo91]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

I was saying the door card is easy to remove. The door ambient lighting trim pieces are melted in place with plastic rivets...just like the dash trim...that can be taken apart and put back together just like below. The LED strip will also come out...

I have taken dozens of interior dash trim apart and plastic welded them back together. It is not that hard, but you can't be afraid to break something the first time you do it. The first time I did it, I was nervous...after that not so much. I will be doing the door cards on my car soon.




Here is a post of UKF30 taking his door part and the pieces after it is done...

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...8&postcount=12

That trim around the airbag looks awesome! Not sure about the paddles though

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by perryo91

That trim around the airbag looks awesome! Not sure about the paddles though

Thanks I appreciate it, I like the blue paddles a lot...they look better in person than in the picture. I was sitting in the back seat when I took that picture...driving you really only see the tops of the paddles. I love the center trim on the SW though...I think the SW is my favorite part of the interior.

[Dang3r]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

All bets are off with a Euro build. You guys always get stuff we don't.

Have to disappoint you, that was an used US Import

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Have to disappoint you, that was an used US Import

Not disappointing me...congrats to you for getting lucky. I know 2013 didn't have it...that is what I have...no amount of upgrade could get it in 2013.

[roll_the_dice]

OK back to the regularly scheduled thread...

Here is another thread where someone did vinyl and says what color and manufacture they used...

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=998844

[perryo91]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

OK back to the regularly scheduled thread...

Here is another thread where someone did vinyl and says what color and manufacture they used...

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=998844

Almost- The OP actually painted his strip. Here's a quote: "Yes, I had to clean and prep the plastic and mask around the trim which takes the longest, after that I used a spray gun to paint them."

He says that the closest he found was that electric blue, but I don't think he used it.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by perryo91

Almost- The OP actually painted his strip. Here's a quote: "Yes, I had to clean and prep the plastic and mask around the trim which takes the longest, after that I used a spray gun to paint them."

He says that the closest he found was that electric blue, but I don't think he used it.

Guess I should have read the entire thread!

After I do mine, just send me yours and I will do them ...for a small fee of course! haha

[perryo91]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Guess I should have read the entire thread!

After I do mine, just send me yours and I will do them ...for a small fee of course! haha

Awesome, thank you for the offer. I'm going to wait until my sample vinyl comes in and give it a shot myself Will keep you updated. Post pics once yours are done.

[roll_the_dice]

Which vinyl are you ordering? I will be curious how it looks and how easy/difficult it will be.