Crack in dash :(

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koos
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Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:14 am

Got a h reg 320iSE and there is one crack in the dash and it really annoys me, anyone know how it can be repaired, without replacing the dash(which aint gonna happen). Any help would be great!!!!!!!!!!!!
mrLEE30
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Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 1:43 pm

you gotta bite the bullet and change it mate!!!!! :cry: :cry: :cry: either that or stick a noddin dog/cow on there to take your attention away from the crack!!!

BTW changing not too hard!!

mrlee



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japcarkiller
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Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:03 pm

there's a few sites with a guide on how to do a swap.
i'm not the worlds best mechanic(in fact i'm a bit of a div) and its not that hard. a few fiddley bits a cut finger(don't now how) bit of sweat and jobs a goodun.
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E30Adam
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Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:00 pm

It's easy to repair and virtually invisible.

Get hold of some low modulus black sealant and squeeze a thin bead in the crack and smooth off with a flat scraper!
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dsio
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Post Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:05 am

There is a place down the road from me that reskinned mine since I had about 9 large cracks that ran down the front so were not coverable with a mat. The have a piece of immitation leather in the shape of the e30 dash, which they stretched over the existing dash while it was still more or less in place, then used these black button pins to secure it invisibly. Then they heat it up to cure it and it shrinks a bit and all the wrinkles vanish.

Very nice finish, feels like real leather. $90 for the whole job and only about 2 hours. It is absolutely solid and looks and feels like its the real dash itself.

Anyone know why the dash on these particular cars cracks so badly? Neither of my two E34s have ever had a problem even though they have almost the same dash.
Adammcf
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Post Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:36 am

E30Adam wrote:It's easy to repair and virtually invisible.

Get hold of some low modulus black sealant and squeeze a thin bead in the crack and smooth off with a flat scraper!
I was thinking of trying this as well but wasnt sure what to use. Any idea where to get the stuff?
Adammcf
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Post Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:35 pm

Any idea where would sell this stuff or what its called?
E30Adam
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Post Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:15 pm

Adammcf wrote:Any idea where would sell this stuff or what its called?
I use a commercial product at work called Arbosil. I'm sure there must be a B&Q equivalent.

I managed to find Arbosil on the net but they want you to buy in bulk. Only works out at Ԛ£3.25 a tube.
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Adammcf
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Post Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:17 pm

Thanks, I'll have a nosey round B&Q etc and see what I can find.
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Treeman612
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Post Fri Aug 12, 2005 5:16 pm

If you don't get the repair stuff, then go for a replacement dash. I've fitted one to my 320i, amazing the bits and pieces you find down the air ducts (various coins, childrens toys, several blue funny looking tablets (ooooeeeer!!).
Just so happens I've got a mint dash available - Ԛ£15 plus postage if you're interested - pm me!