Do the colored portion of the door panels pop out?

methodz · 03-02-2015, 02:38 PM

Hi, I did a quick search for 135i colored door panel/card/insert removal and nothing came up but people removing the entire door panel. What I'm more interested in is just removing the colored portion of the door. Do they even pop out? Have any of you people done any cosmetic mods to those colored pieces?

Thanks.

I'm talking about these:

mr.fabulous · 03-02-2015, 02:55 PM

I'd be willing to bet they're glued. Pop the panel and heat from behind with a heat gun?

methodz · 03-02-2015, 03:04 PM

Yeah, I can't believe they did that lol! From the looks of the inside of the door panel it looks like 1 piece! It would be nice to just pop them out and replace with something else. I only ask because I want to get some wet okole seat covers in black but it will look stupid with beige door cards as the only beige thing in the car.

Anorax · 03-02-2015, 07:44 PM

Why change? Coral red is great! Though it always shows up brighter in pictures for me.

methodz · 03-02-2015, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anorax

Why change? Coral red is great! Though it always shows up brighter in pictures for me.

I don't have coral red, I was just using that image as an example. I should have been more clear about that sorry. I do have a beige interior that I want to go black.

Anyways after some further Einvestigation I'm afraid the door panels may be glued in. I just don't see anywhere that long piece of leather could be bolted on to.

methodz · 03-02-2015, 08:04 PM

Actually it looks like that long piece of tubular plastic that runs around is like one giant mounting tab the shape of the thing. I would imagine pulling that thing out would be a PITA!!!

e36addict · 03-02-2015, 08:06 PM

Pretty sure it's glued/bonded in there somehow. Just give it another 10 years or so.. it'll be falling out by then

6MT_Addict · 03-02-2015, 09:43 PM

Yes/no. The tube you noticed is a common method if assembly. Basically the panel goes in and the plastic is melted and forms a mechanical attachment. You can melt it and pull the panel out, assuming there is also no glue. To reinstall you just need to re-melt it and make sure the plastic is 'pancaked'

I've used a soldering pen to do this with smaller trim panels

heeblet · 03-03-2015, 10:33 PM

I want coral red. I have black...

03-02-2015, 02:38 PM	#1
methodz First Lieutenant 40 Rep 393 Posts Drives: '12 Le Mans 135i Vert Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (3)	Do the colored portion of the door panels pop out? Hi, I did a quick search for 135i colored door panel/card/insert removal and nothing came up but people removing the entire door panel. What I'm more interested in is just removing the colored portion of the door. Do they even pop out? Have any of you people done any cosmetic mods to those colored pieces? Thanks. I'm talking about these:
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03-02-2015, 02:55 PM	#2
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	I'd be willing to bet they're glued. Pop the panel and heat from behind with a heat gun?
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03-02-2015, 03:04 PM	#3
methodz First Lieutenant 40 Rep 393 Posts Drives: '12 Le Mans 135i Vert Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (3)	Yeah, I can't believe they did that lol! From the looks of the inside of the door panel it looks like 1 piece! It would be nice to just pop them out and replace with something else. I only ask because I want to get some wet okole seat covers in black but it will look stupid with beige door cards as the only beige thing in the car.
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03-02-2015, 07:44 PM	#4
Anorax New Member 1 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 09 135i 6AT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Rockies iTrader: (0)	Why change? Coral red is great! Though it always shows up brighter in pictures for me.
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03-02-2015, 08:04 PM	#6
methodz First Lieutenant 40 Rep 393 Posts Drives: '12 Le Mans 135i Vert Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Hollywood iTrader: (3)	Actually it looks like that long piece of tubular plastic that runs around is like one giant mounting tab the shape of the thing. I would imagine pulling that thing out would be a PITA!!!
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03-02-2015, 08:06 PM	#7
e36addict Captain 137 Rep 952 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 35iX Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tim @ BMW of Dallas iTrader: (5)	Pretty sure it's glued/bonded in there somehow. Just give it another 10 years or so.. it'll be falling out by then __________________ 13 X1 35iX, 98 Z3 2.8, 01 M Coupe, 96 Z3 1.9 DASC, 95 318ti, 13 smart fortwo
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03-02-2015, 09:43 PM	#8
6MT_Addict Captain 283 Rep 888 Posts Drives: 08 135i M Sport 6MT, 15 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [10.00]	Yes/no. The tube you noticed is a common method if assembly. Basically the panel goes in and the plastic is melted and forms a mechanical attachment. You can melt it and pull the panel out, assuming there is also no glue. To reinstall you just need to re-melt it and make sure the plastic is 'pancaked' I've used a soldering pen to do this with smaller trim panels __________________ 2015 Cosmic Blue Metallic Wrapped X3 35i ///M Sport Full 3M Vinyl Wrap \| Flat Black Grilles
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03-03-2015, 10:33 PM	#9
heeblet Private First Class 26 Rep 136 Posts Drives: 2014 228i xDrive F31 Join Date: May 2014 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0)	I want coral red. I have black...
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