Picking up new interior today, swapping out my worn down blue for a nice beige one
Question: how easy is it to remove interior trim i.e. everything apart from dash and carpet
Trim removal
- Thegs
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'80 323i 5-sp - Location: Wezep (Gld, The Netherlands)
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Re: Trim removal
Very easy tbh.
Seats, 4 bolts to the floor and 1 for the seatbelt.
Rear seat, 2 bolts for the seating area, 2 for the rear.
Door cards, 3 screws for the armrest, 1 bolt for the window opener and then ready to pull of.
Rear door cards, i'm not sure, but if I'm correct you can pull them straigt of with the rear seat removed.
Just look closely, when you have to pull it off because of platic retainers, try to use some plactic spatula:

Seats, 4 bolts to the floor and 1 for the seatbelt.
Rear seat, 2 bolts for the seating area, 2 for the rear.
Door cards, 3 screws for the armrest, 1 bolt for the window opener and then ready to pull of.
Rear door cards, i'm not sure, but if I'm correct you can pull them straigt of with the rear seat removed.
Just look closely, when you have to pull it off because of platic retainers, try to use some plactic spatula:

Regards, Gerwin
1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2004 BMW E53 X5 4.8iS in LeMansblau
2007 Mini R56 Cooper in Chilired
1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2004 BMW E53 X5 4.8iS in LeMansblau
2007 Mini R56 Cooper in Chilired
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Aus323i
- Upcoming E21 fanatic
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- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 3:00 am
- My E21(s): 1981 EU 323i Auto
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Re: Trim removal
Thanks Thegs. Something came up so I was able to go get it today. So, tomorrow it isThegs wrote:Very easy tbh.
Seats, 4 bolts to the floor and 1 for the seatbelt.
Rear seat, 2 bolts for the seating area, 2 for the rear.
Door cards, 3 screws for the armrest, 1 bolt for the window opener and then ready to pull of.
Rear door cards, i'm not sure, but if I'm correct you can pull them straigt of with the rear seat removed.
Just look closely, when you have to pull it off because of platic retainers, try to use some plactic spatula:
Max
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Reck
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Re: Trim removal
Think this was the first job I ever attempted on an E21. Very easy indeed. No funny torx screws holding everything down like you get on modern cars! Buy some spare plastic clips for the door cards off ebay or from the dealer as they get brittle with age and you'll probably snap some taking them off.
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Aus323i
- Upcoming E21 fanatic
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- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 3:00 am
- My E21(s): 1981 EU 323i Auto
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Re: Trim removal
The interior had been sitting around for years and had mould all over some parts of the material.
The guy said it was an easy fix but for the money he wanted I just couldn't take the risk.
I still have a chance to get it. I should of taken pictures but it was just too dark at the time.
Does anybody have an idea of fitting e36/e46 front seats to an E21?
I understand there would be modification to where the rails sit but do you reckon it would be possible?
The guy said it was an easy fix but for the money he wanted I just couldn't take the risk.
I still have a chance to get it. I should of taken pictures but it was just too dark at the time.
Does anybody have an idea of fitting e36/e46 front seats to an E21?
I understand there would be modification to where the rails sit but do you reckon it would be possible?
- Thegs
- E21 VIP

- Posts: 2419
- Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:05 pm
- My E21(s): '78 320/6 4-sp
'80 323i 5-sp - Location: Wezep (Gld, The Netherlands)
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Re: Trim removal
If you modify probalby everything is possible. But keep in mind that the E21 body is not to big, so fitting the big E36/E46 seats would be a big hassle (if they even fit). Go and find some period Recaro's, sit down for once and you are in love...
Regards, Gerwin
1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2004 BMW E53 X5 4.8iS in LeMansblau
2007 Mini R56 Cooper in Chilired
1980 BMW E21 323i in Hennarot
1985 BMW E23 735i EXE in Zobelbraun
1988 BMW E34 535iA in Lachssilber
2004 BMW E53 X5 4.8iS in LeMansblau
2007 Mini R56 Cooper in Chilired
-
Aus323i
- Upcoming E21 fanatic
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 3:00 am
- My E21(s): 1981 EU 323i Auto
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Re: Trim removal
I've looked everywhere for period Recaro's and just can't seem to find any.
Any suggestions on where to look?
Max
Any suggestions on where to look?
Max
Re: Trim removal
Mobster was selling some front ones in need of repair
http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19316
if that helps
http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19316
if that helps