Dashboard Replacement

[Gibbo]

You look after something for 15 years, spending money to keep a bright red e30 coupe looking as good as the day it was born.

And then, it gets absolutely savaged by bored teenagers on Saturday night. Dashboard, glovebox, gear stick, hand brake, sunroof lining, roof lining, passenger door and glass are all dead.

Anyone got any ideas on the cost of a replacement dashboard? Anyone had the work done and can recommend someone (I'm based London / South-East). I think this will be the priority and I'll then do the other jobs over a few months.

Livid.

[A1BMW325iSport]

sorry to hear that mate

the dashboard is not too bad to replace just takes a bit of time, first off remove the a pillar trims each side of the windscreen, then centre consoles, then underdash panel and glovebox, then ecu and bracket, then the radio panel and instrument cluster, then unplug the headlamp switch wiring, there is some clips holding the wiring to the top of the dash above instrument cluster and the glovebox area unclip all the wiring from the clips, then there are two bolts each end of the dash, it should then just lift out with a bit of juggling,

[JimmyC]

hi Gibbo,

Sorry to hear that- thats a real shit! I've got alot of the bits you need in my car that i'm stripping out. Could sort you out a deal if you are interested, i would need your dash though so not sure what condition they left it in??

Again Sorry to hear, some people have no respect and jealousy is a shitty thing!- shoot the little shits!

Let me know

Jimmy

[Gibbo]

That might be a sound option Jimmy.

I've got to see how much my insurance company value the damages. My Ԛ£100 excess might make it worth while to make a claim but I don't fancy losing 2 years no claims bonus.

So if I choose to keep my bonus, I'd look to get the dashboard professionally done but collect all the other bits such as roof linings etc. So I'll keep you posted.

I still can't believe the condition of my car. I feel it's gone from a head turner to an embarressment over night.

(Plus, my insurance company won't let me fit a BMW passenger glass so I've got to have an Autoscreens logo in the corner of the glass - so many things to annoy me!)

[johnono]

gutted for u mate i dont get it really? what do they get out of it?

not as if they made serious coin from thier little adventure

waankers
Gibbs mate, i hope u sort it out. Put a list up of what u need so we can all check our stores

[Dominitry]

Fook mate, sorry to hear that! Countrys really going down the pan

[Gibbo]

Ironically, the idiots dropped Ԛ£1.50 and their stanley knife down the side of the seat where they could retrieve them. They didn't find anything in the car so it actually cost them money!

[JimmyC]

no worries Gibbo, I haven't started on the interior yet but if you want it i'll do it when you ask.

The dask in mine is mint, they guy I bought it off had just put it in, same story with door cars etc.

Mail me if you want it.

Know get out there and find them, them teach them a lesson

[japcarkiller]

Bastards
its never good when ya car is done over. so much worse when its a 15 year old minter.
really feel for ya mate.

[redrobbie]

Little Rats , Sorry to hear what happend to your car. Those little punks will grow up and end up getting up a shitty nova or sumtin and if they have a crash will probably get whats cummin to them!

Anyway heres a link to site where this guy changed his own dashboard on his e30. You can have a look at it and see if it helps, you might want to try it yourself.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ecdeegan9/das ... ard_1.html

Dont worry your e30 will back.

[Treeman612]

Really sorry to hear about your troubles - hope you can get it sorted. As per previous replies, I can help you with bits if you get stuck. I am breaking a 1988 316 - dash is perfect, ashtray never used!!! Have got good headlining, etc, can help with door glass etc. I am in Newbury, if thats anywhere near you. I have done a complete dashboard swop on my 320i - its actually fairly easy (when you've done one, like all trim jobs!!! lol)
Let me know if I can help. sorry again for the vandalisation.
PS I fitted a Ԛ£45 aftermarket alarm, mainly cos its got motion sensors and untrasonic sensors with lots of warning led's, just to try and put off the little sh*ts. so far, so good, and is opens/locks remotely.

[mrLEE30]

Unlucky mate, wonder what you would have given to walk round the corner when the little chav wan(k)ers were in your motor!

as for dash replacement not too bad, takes a day, and gives you the oppertunity to do a spring clean. my advice is to take out the seats. no need to touch the ECU or side trims next to frint window, just cover em in tape (same goes for your steering wheel top shroud. i will send you a great how to page if i can find the link.

mrlee

[JazzMan]

Bastards - thats just wrong

Where are you? I've got a dash and a glove box knocking about Im in central Hampshire.

EDIT see you in the south east. I work in Newbury during the day if your ever out in that direction.

[mrLEE30]

go here: good how to change dash article. (dont forget to use plastic bags to put yer nuts in!

http://www.strictlyeta.net/technical/dashboard.html

mrlee