Wood Trim Replacement
 

Anyone had any experience replacing their wood trim - dash, door, center console? Would be keen on hearing of your experience and if you had this done at a shop/dealer, any referrals you can provide (in the NY/NJ/CT area.) I have a cracked center panel; if I am going through the cost of replacing it, I thought I would also consider what it will take to replace all my trim - going from the dark maple to something else, e.g. alum. Thanks!

I also want to change my wood trim to alum. I haven't heard of an easy fix for this rather them getting them vinyled.

The dozy salesman at my dealership was that concerned with putting mats, bootliner on the order that he did not hear me sy aluminium trim, so the car came with wood, World War 3 broke out and Anglo Saxon words said, but the Sales Manager knew i would be right said streight away they they would rectify it.

Talking to the head of the workshop that is clued up on this work, he said it took him a day and a 1/4 to do all the trim properly and it is perfect, then there is the cost of the trims which individully are over a grand i think?!

So it is an expensive job if you want it done properly.

I would advise you to keep your trim, I have the aluminum trim and I find that it scratches easily. You have to be really careful with it.

I'm trying to get my center console trim replaced under warranty (2 long pieces around the shifter). I haven't had time to go to the dealer yet....

Yes, the parts are very expensive for what they are, $300+ EACH for those long wood trim pieces around the shifter.

If I'm doing this out of warranty:
1.) I'd go to any good A/V installer and have them remove the trim. They do it ALL the time.
2.) I'd wet sand the wood trim piece and reapply a lacquer to make it look like new again.
3.) If you want an alumnium look, vinly wrapping is the cost effective solution. Check the E90 and E46 boards, a ton of people have done this. However, if you want the real deal, you'll have to fork over 5 figures to BMW to get the trim.

3series, I just finished cleaning the interior of the X5 and noticed that those two long pieces around the shifter/center console/armrest are also cracked in my X5. I find it odd that both sides are cracked. Did the dealer cover this under warranty? They should, but I'm curious if they gave you any trouble.

Years ago, a bad trim piece was replaced under warranty on my '99 540i. If I recall, they replaced extra neighboring pieces to get a perfect match in the grain, and ordered 3 sets to choose the closest one to the rest of the car.

Yes, you need to show that the trim cracked from a manufacturing defect, not abuse.

You need to work with a good Advisor, Tech, and Foreman.

The cracked wood trim is covered under warranty. So is any other cosmetic defects, like peeling paint on steering wheel, etc.

Why does the aluminum trim scratch easily. I have it in my E60 and it seems durable enough. Are we talking brushed aluminum here.