New X5 4.4 - Changing Wood Trim

[ChitownX5]

Hello - I'm new to the X5 and this site. I just purchased a '05 Jet Black fully loaded 4.4i Sport with every option including the adjustable ride height. I love this vehicle – what an improvement over the Acura SLX I drove for 6 years! Bought the X5 at Bill Jacobs BMW in Naperville, IL from Mike Alder the internet manager. Must say Mike was great to work with and I recommend him to anyone purchasing a BMW in the Chicagoland area. BTW I paid about $1K over invoice.

Well here's my problem. The X5 was in stock and ordered as Black on Black with the light wood trim. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of the light trim and would like to replace it with the Anthracite Maple. Mike Alder made me great deal in that he reduced the price of the car by a few $100 and offered to sell me the trim kit for dealer cost of $580, but I would have to pay to get it installed. He recommended that I not use BMW since the BMW techs charge $120/hour. Mike recommended Riggs Brothers a very reputable interior specialist @ $500 to replace trim. What would you guys recommend? I’m capable of doing the replacement, but something’s are just left to experts. If you think I should do it does anyone have the BMW instructions on removing the trim (besides the console instructions posted here)? Thanks much. Sorry for the long winded message.

[Curious Joel]

:welcome:
Other than taking out the console, all the wood trim pieces just pop right out. I'm doing a switch of the trim in my 330xi this summer. Good Luck!
CJ

[LeMansX5]

Changing the trim is not a big deal. You should be able to do it yourself. King and few others here have done it. You can buy the trim from Crevierbmw or pacificbmw at a discount. You can find the part #s here

[UCrewX5]

The only difficult part is the console trim. The rest just basically snaps off and on. Not difficult at all.

It's really not too dissimilar from the descriptions here (except for the console portion) - http://www.x3world.com/articles.php?...icle&artid=209

In climrgrl's own words, "Don't be discouraged, if a chick can do it, you can too!"


:welcome: to X5world

[ChitownX5]

Thanks guys. I think I will do the change out myself. You guys are wealth of information. I'm glad I found the X5world site!

Cheers!

[superH]

As the others have said, it is really easy. I just changed out my trim about a week ago. Buy a putty knife or one of those things that looks like a spatula that you scoop brownies with. Carefully slide it under each piece and work your way down the piece gently prying it up. The console is about a 2 out of 5 challenge I'd say (tools: screwdriver, torx bits). Just take your time. I had to reinstall the console twice after leaving off the bracket that holds the PDC controls, etc. and then when I misaligned the rear section but screwed it down and didn't notice until I was putting the carpet panels on the rear section. Total time involved is about 2-3 hours.