Remove The Centre Console & Carpet From E30 Convertible

[Uzi_Khan]

I would like some help on how to remove the centre console & how to take the carpet out as i am planning to dye it black.

[daimlerman]

Have a hunt through the zone wiki,sure it will be covered there,but;

Basically,you need to remove the front seats and both parts of the centre console.

The carpet,on the production line,was fitted before the steering column,so to avoid the hassle of removing the column,most of us just cut the carpet by the base of the column to allow the carpet to slide out.

Going back is always great fun,there's very little room between the heater box and the top of the tunnel,yes,you've guessed right,the heater was fitted after the carpet on the line!Once again,you can cut the carpet before you remove it above the line of the centre console and leave that bit alone,just,in effect,removing the bit you want to dye.

Rear part of the console is held by one nylon nut under the rear ashtray,forward part by a similar nut by the gearstick,two self tappers cunningly hidden below the heater control panel(beg,steal or borrow a ladies compact mirror to find these!)and by a plastic turn bung thingy by your passengers right foot.

[Topblag]

You'll have trouble with the accelerator. Top tip is to remove the circlip holding it onto the pedal box 'leg' and then pull the carpet over it. If it's an auto, the kickdown switch needs removed also, but that's just removing the electrical connector and taking it off with a stubby spanner.

[FinalD]

Have a hunt through the zone wiki,sure it will be covered there,but;

Basically,you need to remove the front seats and both parts of the centre console.

The carpet,on the production line,was fitted before the steering column,so to avoid the hassle of removing the column,most of us just cut the carpet by the base of the column to allow the carpet to slide out.

Correct, but only a small cut is needed, you can then bend the carpet around the column and remove it easily.

Once again,you can cut the carpet before you remove it above the line of the centre console and leave that bit alone,just,in effect,removing the bit you want to dye.

Incorrect. A bit of wiggling (as in very minor) will remove the carpet from under the heater unit. Refitting however is a whole different ball game. I removed the heater unit (didn't have the heater core plumbed in so this was fine), fitted the carpet and then refitted the heater unit. It is VERY hard to get the carpet to slide cleanly under the heater unit and into it's correct position.

Rear part of the console is held by one nylon nut under the rear ashtray,forward part by a similar nut by the gearstick,two self tappers cunningly hidden below the heater control panel(beg,steal or borrow a ladies compact mirror to find these!)and by a plastic turn bung thingy by your passengers right foot.

Don't recall a turn bung holding the centre console in on mine.



The good thing about the cab is you can stand up and move the carpet around which helps removing it and stops you getting cramped.

You also have to remove the inner kick plates on the door sills because they 'clamp' the carpet down along the bottom of the doors.

[daimlerman]

Incorrect. A bit of wiggling (as in very minor) will remove the carpet from under the heater unit. Refitting however is a whole different ball game. I removed the heater unit (didn't have the heater core plumbed in so this was fine), fitted the carpet and then refitted the heater unit. It is VERY hard to get the carpet to slide cleanly under the heater unit and into it's correct position.

Over the years that I have played with E30's,I have removed and re-fitted the carpet;
By leaving the heater in,out is dead easy,just pull the bugger out,going back requires great patience and care.
By removing the heater;dead easy both ways as regards the carpet,but also require the removal of the dash to remove the heater...
By cutting around the heater,saves dash/heater removal,makes carpet out/in dead easy,no visable cuts if careful.

[FinalD]

True...I did have the dash out when I did mine as I was stripping it all down to sort it all. Forgot about that.

I was going to cut mine as everyone said it is best, but just before I got the knife out it came free.