E39 M5 question...

[MarcusL]

Not the most exciting question I know but just wondering whether anyone can tell me how easy (or not) it is to change interior trim on the E39 M5 (ie wood for titanium etc)?

Also, slightly less realistic question... anyone ever installed the Sat-nav/comms system...?

[m33ufo]

Had an E39 with Titanium trim so didn't need to take it off

From memory though the trim is fixed in a very similar way to that on my M3 CSL which I just happen to have taken off recently.

Give this a try, worked for me! Starting on the near side of the dash, slip something slim and flexible under the lower edge of the trim (I used an old credit card) and gently prize it upward. You should soon have a gap that's big enough to get your fingers under and slowly move them along the trim lifting as you go.

Apologies if it's not the same method of fixing as my CSL but I kinda think it is.

Good luck

[Seesure]

Trying to get a replacement aluminium trim will be like looking for hens teeth, they are very sought after. However posters on other forums have taken the wood trim and painted it to good effect.

Sat Nav install will be a challenge as you'll have to get a wiring loom as well.

If you're brave enough have a look at this:

http://www.tencorners.com/automobiles/1998_BMW_540...

[cableguy]

As mentioned, trim is fairly easy to swap/paint or cover in film.

Check out the Sat-Nav retrofit in this link for an in-depth look at what it entails. http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=...

C.

[MarcusL]

Thanks guys, the trim sounds a do-able diy job but the sat-nav.... whhhoooaaa!

Think I'll hold out for my dream-spec M5...

[Robatr0n]

Be careful not to remove the trim when its too cold as the trim fixing has been known to shatter upon removal.

[julian64]

Why. I hated the aluminium trim as it made the car look cheap and is not well done. IIRR the wood was an upgrade, and tends to make the car look a lot less boy racer. Fits nicely with the brown skin on the computer.

Lots of second hand M5's available, just pick the one that suits.

[dazren]

julian64 said:

Why. I hated the aluminium trim as it made the car look cheap and is not well done. IIRR the wood was an upgrade, and tends to make the car look a lot less boy racer. Fits nicely with the brown skin on the computer.

:thinksoutloudsmilie:
Hey some of us like the boyracer look!

[m33ufo]

The titanium trim is more subtle....who the heck specs wood on an 'M' car? Nasty!

[m33ufo]

Pictures speak so much louder than words....

Titanium

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u290/m33ufo/coo...


Wood

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u290/m33ufo/cra...

Hmmmm, I know which I prefer

[drivin_me_nuts]

... depends on the colour. Mine is carbon black with heritage caramel leather and with wood trim. I think it would look a little odd with shiny bits instead of 'wood'.

[julian64]

Mine is also carbon black with wood trim. And furthermore the two pics you posted say it all.

[m33ufo]

Yep, totally agree. Mine was LeMans Blue with Blue/Black leather, a wood trim option definitely wouldn't have suited it.

Better add, totally agree with Driving Me Nuts!

Edited by m33ufo on Monday 25th June 20:06

[m33ufo]

julian64 said:

Mine is also carbon black with wood trim. And furthermore the two pics you posted say it all.

Can I ask what colour leather you have with this delightful combination?

Me thinks you may be a closet XJ owner

[MarcusL]

On a related note, I have seen interiors (not the Heritage - see first image link above) that have pretty much the same colour leather inserts (an almost charcoal grey/black) as the rest of the seat. Does anyone know how this was described at the spec stage? Is it simply black/black or is it black/dark grey?

Seems to be quite an uncommon combo relative to the number of black/silver (light grey) & black/blue combos - dunno why...

[julian64]

m33ufo said:

julian64 said:

Mine is also carbon black with wood trim. And furthermore the two pics you posted say it all.

Can I ask what colour leather you have with this delightful combination?

Me thinks you may be a closet XJ owner

Carbon black, with black leather seats.

[m33ufo]

MarcusL said:

On a related note, I have seen interiors (not the Heritage - see first image link above) that have pretty much the same colour leather inserts (an almost charcoal grey/black) as the rest of the seat. Does anyone know how this was described at the spec stage? Is it simply black/black or is it black/dark grey?

Seems to be quite an uncommon combo relative to the number of black/silver (light grey) & black/blue combos - dunno why...

I think that it's just Black/Black. Probably my favourite combo, keeping things simple usually works the best (IMO). Although with a black car I think a dark red interior can look great.

[E38]

Those pics really show how bloody hard it must be to retro-fit, but is it possible to upgrade a 4:3 monitor and computer (2000reg so is Mark2/3 ?) just by shoving the 16:9 screen and computer in?

[rassi]

E38 said:

Those pics really show how bloody hard it must be to retro-fit, but is it possible to upgrade a 4:3 monitor and computer (2000reg so is Mark2/3 ?) just by shoving the 16:9 screen and computer in?

Yes, the wiring harness is the same, so it's bascially plug & play. The screen will slot right in (you will need a very cheap surround) and the MKIV (DVD based) nav computer will plug straight in (just remove the trimble unit). See here:

http://www.bimmernav.com/BMW_E39_5_series_DVD_Navi...

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=63...

[julian64]

I had the 16:9 screen and the MK3 on my 2001. Upgrade to MK4 cost me £150 I think from a very nice man off ebay. I believe he also had 16:9 screens. Simple plug and play, then watch the clouds on the 3D nav screen