Euro lower dash

[E55AMG2]

Im wondering if BMW ever made a different lower dash for the E53 as they did for the E38 and E39. On the E39, it gives back another 2-3" of knee/leg room to the driver. Notice the extra 2-3 inches of knee bolster missing on the euro version under the steering wheel and on the glovebox.

For example on the E39:

US:




Euro:



If they did this for the E53, I'd love to have the extra knee room in my 4.6is.

[Ricky Bobby]

I believe our lower dash is more "padded" because of the extra bracing needed to fulfill DOT or NHTSA crash requirement, someone correct me if I'm wrong?

[TerminatorX5]

part # 51458408742 appears in both, the US and Euro models...

[MINIz guy]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

I believe our lower dash is more "padded" because of the extra bracing needed to fulfill DOT or NHTSA crash requirement, someone correct me if I'm wrong?

That is true.

[avonside]

The only thing I noticed was that my US X5 now here with me in the UK has the hidden extra 12v socket tucked up under the right hand footwell area which is not fitted to right hand drive cars here in the UK.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by E55AMG2

Im wondering if BMW ever made a different lower dash for the E53 as they did for the E38 and E39.

The answer to this question is as easy & simple as entering your X's info in any of the part databases (like realoem.com)...but changing the location to EURO.

If you look at the dash's diagrams on the EURO side of the database, if there's another dash available, it's part number will be listed in addition to the one used here in the States

Again, a simple 2-3 minute search in the part number database will reveal the answer.

Edit - just looked up the lower dash trim (#2 or #11 in diagram below) using my X's build info...apparently there are 2 different lower dashes. Euro side only offers # 2 in part number index while USA side only offers #11 in the part number index:

• 51458244293 = the lower dash trim for Euro Xs with Schwarz/Schwarz dash
• 51458244295 = the lower dash trim for USA Xs with Schwarz/Schwarz dash

[PropellerHead]

I did the Euro dash in my E39 nearly 12 years ago. I still love it.

Before:


After:


Before:


After:

[relentlessone]

I'll never look at my US-spec E39 dash the same way again!

[Rhein Amacher]

Why is that there is a ton of E39 Euro dash kits available to purchase online, while there is absolutely NONE E38 kits for sale for example?

[noodlesandsam]

Euro e38 is not really a thing, or easy. For the e39, the dash parts make a discrete kit. I have one set to install on my wagon. The e38 comes with a drivers side cubby / gun box, but the parts to make it work on a LHD car mean cutting to merge it into a US car. Again, realoem is your friend. I have both an e38, and an e39. I’ve spent hours on this puzzle.