[roll_the_dice]

Ever since I saw pictures of the EBII ambient door trim, I knew I had to have it. I have seen people paint them with them still attached and some wrap vinyl on them and a couple take them off and reattach with 2 part epoxy. I am not a 2 part epoxy fan, so I decided to take them off, paint them EBII. I clear coated mine because I did the same to my 2 dash accent trim and I wanted them to match.

If you have OEM dash EBII trim and you paint them, don't clear coat them. The paint from automotive touchup will come out in a matte finish like the dash trim.

I bought the paint from automotivetouchup.com. B45 is the color code for EBII. I bought the 12oz aerosol spray.

THIS IS NOT A DIY THREAD...so proceed with caution. I am not responsible if you screw up.

Sorry, I didn't take enough pictures, but I always get caught up in the moment of the DIY and forget. Might help a buddy do this, so if I do, will make sure to update and document with more pictures. You will get the idea and if you have questions ask.

On a difficulty scale, I would put it at a 5 out of 10...but it all depends on your skill level of confidence in plastic welding and painting.



Off to some pictures...

This is how the plastic rivets will look before you remove them.



Remove with sanding disc with a dremel or similar. Grind off plastic until it is smooth to the opening. You can see one removed and smooth to the left of the dremel. There is one plastic rivet on each end that I drilled out with a 3/16" drill bit. The clip (that has the LED) needs to be removed for the ambient lighting before drilling one of these. It just pulls out and is gray. Set aside.



Remove the ambient light trim. This will pull out after all the plastic welds are removed. Once out you can see the ambient light bar. Pull out and set aside.

Repeat for all 4 doors....

Sand the accent strip with 600 sandpaper to scuff it up...then paint them to your desired color. I put 2 coats of paint on them. I waited 24 hours before clear coating, but use your own judgement if you are clear coating. I waited another 24 hours before install.

Here is a picture after all 4 were painted.


Install light bar in accent strip...and install in door panel. It will push in and hold in place.

I plastic welded every piece I "unwelded" before. I used plastic ABS rod I had for other projects. Some people glue these back in place and it will be fine. I am more comfortable welding and it is quicker. Once the welds harden it is finished...no wait time for glue to dry.

Here are a few pictures of the welding and finished welds...not beautiful, but effective.





Once I finished a door I reinstalled. Reverse the steps of taking the panel off...reattaching all the wiring harnesses. The door panel just pushes back on...easy peasy.

And installed pics...

[1QWK328]

Looks great

[kevinjt]

I wish i had the guts to take them off, they look awesome. I would like them to be matte. great job OP

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by 1QWK328

Looks great

Thanks!

Originally Posted by kevinjt

I wish i had the guts to take them off, they look awesome. I would like them to be matte. great job OP

Thanks...That is why I procrastinated for a while...even though I didn't think it would be too difficult, there was apprehension.

[1QWK328]

is the trim on the dash ac vents plastic welded as well?

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by 1QWK328

is the trim on the dash ac vents plastic welded as well?

The larger dash piece is plastic welded, the smaller drivers vent has plastic clips.

[1QWK328]

cool thanks i may give this a go

[AMG KLR]

Way too much blue. Center shifter, steering wheel and paddles need to go. Good work regardless

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by 1QWK328

cool thanks i may give this a go

You should...The doors are easier than the dash...just a lot more welds on the dash. I have been plastic welding for a while..but it isn't hard, just makes you nervous the first time you do it on something you care about. I think I practiced with something the first time I did it.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by AMG KLR

Way too much blue. Center shifter, steering wheel and paddles need to go. Good work regardless

Everyone has an opinion...doesn't make yours right! The only item I am ambivalent about is the shifter...I may redo it in gloss black. I LOVE the steering wheel and paddles...why be like everyone else? I would rather be unique than have an all black interior that I had when I bought the car. Thanks for stopping by.

[Dang3r]

I like it, glad that my accent lines where blue from the beginning but if not I had them painted afterwards too, no doubt.

[roll_the_dice]

Now if only I could get the LED ambient light brighter!

[Dang3r]

I have bad news for you: You couldnt! If you have set the brigthness to max by iDrive and devide it maybe also from the instrument cluster poti...theres no further way to get more brighter. Thats a known issue, at my 4 the brightness drops from medium bright to more unseeable within weeks and also a software update couldnt fix that.
Only way is to change the LED-chain within the accent line and replace it by 3rd party ware, but I havent a good source for that.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

I have bad news for you: You couldnt! If you have set the brigthness to max by iDrive and devide it maybe also from the instrument cluster poti...theres no further way to get more brighter. Thats a known issue, at my 4 the brightness drops from medium bright to more unseeable within weeks and also a software update couldnt fix that.
Only way is to change the LED-chain within the accent line and replace it by 3rd party ware, but I havent a good source for that.

I know...I think I am wishing out loud. I have been toying with the idea of trying to find a new LED light source and upgrade. I saw a thread on the 5 series side where someone bought an LED light string from China that worked, but it was $300+...too steep for accent lights IMO.

I have tried turning the lights up via coding and they are slightly brighter, but not enough to matter.

I know nothing about LEDs though...I think I read where the brightness is dependent on the current it draws. I am sure BMW has the current low, hence the low level of light. Wonder if there is something we can put in line to make the current stronger?

[madmortar]

Great work as always. Skills and guts for sure!

That stock / silver shifter stands out a lot now. Carbon fiber to match the rest of your trim?

[Dang3r]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

I saw a thread on the 5 series side where someone bought an LED light string from China that worked, but it was $300+...too steep for accent lights IMO.

Somewhere here a guy from Far East had bought some LED substitutes and the factory demands to install them itself and those fees come additionally onto the price...needless to say that the entire price were ridiculous, but the result had earned 100%.
I'd written a request to them and received the same answer, selling only with installation by factory personal. Suuure, I pay them the tickets to Germany and the sightseeing tour too

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by madmortar

Great work as always. Skills and guts for sure!

That stock / silver shifter stands out a lot now. Carbon fiber to match the rest of your trim?

Thanks Scott! Yes, that is the plan...CF on the shifter...or if I end up painting the gear surround gloss black, maybe the shifter in gloss black to match.