Carpet removal?

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Rodderz
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:19 pm

I need to remove the carpet in my cabby. I have the seats out and seatbelts, sill panels etc out, I'm now left with the dash end of the carpet. I also have some wiring running over the top of the carpet where the centre console was!
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mosh86
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:43 pm

ok so whats the actual problem. i.e you cant actually physicaly pull the carpet away or dont want to because of the wires?
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Rodderz
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:49 pm

I suprised that there are wires running across the carpet. If there aren't some plug connectors that i can't see I will have to cut the carpet. And, isn't there someting to do with the heater that holds it in place too?
Z3I
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:51 pm

Its either

a: dismantle the complete heating unit

or

b: cut the f****r and pull it out

Sleep on it and tackle it in the morning!
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Duke137
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:53 pm

Don't cut your carpet!

You shouldn't have to do this, can you take some pictures of what you have? Only place you "should" cut is round the steering column to avoid having to remove that, that cut is never seen

Sounds like wiring bodgery
Last edited by Duke137 on Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.
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mosh86
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:54 pm

Duke137 wrote:Don't cut your carpet!

You shouldn't have to do this, can you take some pictures of what you have?
my thoughts exactly
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Bristol_Jer
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:56 pm

I took my carpet out my 320i, and didn't have to cut the carpet. It was a bitch to get out though!
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:56 pm

Like Z3I said, its either the heater matrix out properly else you'll never get it back in or cut round it which is usually the outcome, this cant be seen when everything is installed aslong as you cut it as close to the heater matrix as possible!

The wires, i'm not sure about, a picture might help but from memory, I havent seen any wires that get in the way when removing a carpet.
Duke137
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:58 pm

Carpets are relatively straight forward to remove but they are real shit to get back in! Depends on what you remove to make the job easier ie, dash/heater box etc

Sorry Jim but NO! You do not need to cut at the heater box it will slide out !

It's a 2 man job to get it back in though!!!!
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.
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Rodderz
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:04 pm

Photos? Bugger, yes I should have, the car is at work so I will have to try and do that tomorrow!
Duke137
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:15 pm

Rodderz, I've removed 3 carpets and installed 1

Top tips to make it easier IMO:

1. clip the carpet as far round the back of the steering column as you can
2: unclip the accelerator pedal at the top (careful not to lose the cerclip)
3: Leave accelerator pedal clipped in the floor, they are prone to snap as BMW made these as "disposable" as far as I know but the carpet will slide over it
4: Remove all cill trims, kick panels and associated bumpf in the way (consoles)
5: Obviously seats are out, and seat belts
6: glove box out stops you banging your head alot as does steering wheel
7: Gently ease the carpet out at the front end from around the brake servo and pedals
8: When all obsticles are accounted for, and it is still tight up front kink the carpet across the middle of the car upward (like you are folding it in half carpet outward) and wiggle and tug. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO GRAB AT A CUT OUT AS IT WILL RIP EASILY)
9: Carpet should start to come free with a bit of wiggling, and checking as you go
10: Carpet out

11: Get a mate to help you get it back in as you need some serious patince to reverse this process..... :mad:
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.
djscottfree
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:17 pm

ive done this twice now im not experienced either, but i did the cut option, you cant even notice when everything is back in the car, but a Mechanic that also owns e30's told me you don't have to take heater matrix completely out, you just have to loosen it which kinda make sense !!
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Rodderz
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:54 pm

Ok, 1st picture shows a bracket on drivers side of heater box. I imagine I remove this.

Image

These are just other photos of the heater box area.

Image
Image

These photos are of the wiring that runs across the carpet where the rear part of the console sits!

Image
Image
Duke137
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Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:36 pm

That wiring looks like an alarm fit bodgery effort.....
How do you pronounce 'either'? I say 'either', but some say 'either'. Either is correct.
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Rodderz
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Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:46 pm

Got the carpet out. All of the cutting that would be needed was already done. I had to cut so much of the carpet that lives under the centre console that it is only the last 6 inches or so of carpet that holds it together!
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