Has anyone taken their dash out?
 

I'm wondering how difficult it may be to get it out, and then back in putting all the instrument panels back in their proper place without breaking anything. Also a bit worried about the passenger airbag. Is this something I should avoid tackling myself? I want to remove the part marked in red... only for a little while ;)

http://i28.tinypic.com/2rmaa6d.jpg

The lower part of the dash is not removeable from the upper..
I still have the dash that was taken out of my 01 X5 when it was totalled. I can snap a picture of that for you so you can see why this is the case.
Question here really is....why do you need to take out that section? Rattle?

Nope. its something else, purely aesthetic. I would love to see the pic.

I'll get that pic over to you as soon as I can get by my storage unit..
I'l PM you on another option you may want to consider...

I have torn the dash down to the floor , its easy, it just takes time.
I did an AC blower motor a month ago on my X5. I had to remove everything from the steering wheel / air bags to the console. I had a shop repair CD and it had step by step directions with pictures on how to do it.
I got the CD off the internet for about 9 bucks.

There are some special tools required you can pick op at your local auto parts store for cheap.

It took me two days to complete the job and I am disabled.