How to remove the dashboard vents

chris82 · 07-08-2013, 07:00 PM

Does anyone know how to remove the dash vents on a 1 series? I'm talking the left, middle, and right vents. I heard someone say that for at least the left and right vents you need to pry them up from the bottom, but I tried this and felt like I was putting way to much stress on the parts and I thought for sure I would break something if I continued. I'm doing this because the vents got faded (somehow, previous owner not me) and I have the replacements, just don't know how to remove the old ones. Maybe the entire dash needs to come off? I'm not sure.

Thanks

ilikebmxbikes · 07-08-2013, 07:22 PM

I know the left and right vents by the pilars pull out. i had to do it when installing my P3 gauge. They come out easy.

Pig Farmer · 07-08-2013, 07:44 PM

You can pry out the center A/C vent as well. Use a couple nylon interior trim tools. Pry from the bottom edge. Slightly up and outward.

litebulb · 07-08-2013, 07:52 PM

http://www.p3cars.com/content/pdf/e8x-car.pdf

There are 2 tabs on the inside which have to be pushed before the left and right vents can be slide out. Not too sure about the centre though. Good luck, they were a bitch for me.

Pig Farmer · 07-08-2013, 08:01 PM

^ Didn't notice any release tabs on the center vent. Should be pretty easy with the proper tools. There's a post on installing the optional dash board tray that has pictures (or a video) that shows how it is done. I'll try to find it.

Okay here it is...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...+board+storage

It looks like this guy pryed it down from the top, but I swear that I started at the bottom since I had better leverage. At least this gives you an idea of the type and number of tabs you are dealing with.

NorthernDancer · 07-08-2013, 09:23 PM

Do it when the interior is very hot as the plastic will be more pliable.

pinmagic · 07-09-2013, 07:15 AM

Pressing the 2 tabs on the side makes it easier, but you can remove them without doing that - just pry from the bottom, and they'll release. I've done it several times.

chris82 · 07-09-2013, 05:36 PM

Ahh got them all done and installed! thank you!

pepper135I · 03-24-2016, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinmagic

Pressing the 2 tabs on the side makes it easier, but you can remove them without doing that - just pry from the bottom, and they'll release. I've done it several times.

I also need to also remove my center AC vent. Any further tips?

GuamX1 · 04-24-2016, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris82

I'm doing this because the vents got faded (somehow, previous owner not me) and I have the replacements, just don't know how to remove the old ones. Maybe the entire dash needs to come off? I'm not sure.

Thanks

They fade very fast regardless of what we do. If we replace them with the OEM they will fade too, so what did you do?

litebulb · 04-25-2016, 12:56 AM

Never had any issues with mine and I have a cabrio which sees a lot sun, how you protecting them? I throw on some 303 every month or so and if I know I'm going to be leaving it in the sun a long time I use a sun shade.

chris82 · 04-25-2016, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guam135i

They fade very fast regardless of what we do. If we replace them with the OEM they will fade too, so what did you do?

Well I replaced them. It's over 2 years later and they still look good. The fading is just starting to come back and that is with scattered applications of Meguiars vinyl/rubber protectant.

GuamX1 · 04-27-2016, 05:55 PM

I always use a sun shade mine were replaced by the dealer before the warranty expired and now they look the same as before. I was thinking of painting them. Anyway I'll take pictures of mine later, thanks

GuamX1 · 04-29-2016, 12:10 AM

chris82 · 04-29-2016, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guam135i

Well that is horrendous. Those are what, 3 years old now? Mine weren't even close to that!

GuamX1 · 04-30-2016, 08:14 PM

True

WP1 · 06-17-2016, 01:19 PM

Anyone painted the vents?

I see mine are fading....

The trim of my convertible is the same as my previous car and I did some painting on the old car (you see the flip cell?...hahahah) , but want to keep the BMW classy too. Would like to see pics before doing something like this.

Boosted_N54 · 06-22-2016, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepper135I

I also need to also remove my center AC vent. Any further tips?

for the A/C CENTER VENTS pry out from the top side with trim tools be careful not to pull the vent with your hand right away or else you will snap the wires from DTC and hazard button . use trim tool to remove the buttons

Fakemike · 06-23-2016, 06:47 AM

Here is a tread where someone used Mother's Back-to-Black to solve the problem.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=988737

07-08-2013, 07:00 PM	#1
chris82 Brigadier General 827 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NY NY iTrader: (8) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i [9.80]	How to remove the dashboard vents Does anyone know how to remove the dash vents on a 1 series? I'm talking the left, middle, and right vents. I heard someone say that for at least the left and right vents you need to pry them up from the bottom, but I tried this and felt like I was putting way to much stress on the parts and I thought for sure I would break something if I continued. I'm doing this because the vents got faded (somehow, previous owner not me) and I have the replacements, just don't know how to remove the old ones. Maybe the entire dash needs to come off? I'm not sure. Thanks
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07-08-2013, 07:22 PM	#2
ilikebmxbikes Banned 1518 Rep 4,744 Posts Drives: S65 1M Clone & E92 M3 4.6L Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (42) Garage List '08/13 1M Clone 4.0L [10.00] '11 e92 M3 4.6L [10.00]	I know the left and right vents by the pilars pull out. i had to do it when installing my P3 gauge. They come out easy.
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07-08-2013, 07:44 PM	#3
Pig Farmer Major 340 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: E92M Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	You can pry out the center A/C vent as well. Use a couple nylon interior trim tools. Pry from the bottom edge. Slightly up and outward.
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07-08-2013, 07:52 PM	#4
litebulb Captain 68 Rep 627 Posts Drives: '09 E88 135i M-Sport/6MT/SGM Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i Cabri ... [10.00]	http://www.p3cars.com/content/pdf/e8x-car.pdf There are 2 tabs on the inside which have to be pushed before the left and right vents can be slide out. Not too sure about the centre though. Good luck, they were a bitch for me. __________________ \| Dinan S2=>MHD \| e46 M3 trans mounts \| Dinan CF CAI \| ER CP \| HKS SSQV4 BOV \| RB PCV Valve \| VRSF DP \| N55 MP \| BMW PE \| OC \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| UUC Evo3 SSK \| EBC GD Sport Rotors \| EBC Redstuff \| TRW F+R \| \| Whiteline KDT918 \| H&R Front Sway \| BMWP 313 \| MPSS 225/255 \| Scopione CF Rear Diffuser \| iCarbon CF Rear Spoiler \| P3 v2.1 Gauge \| Interior LED Retrofit \|
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07-08-2013, 08:01 PM	#5
Pig Farmer Major 340 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: E92M Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	^ Didn't notice any release tabs on the center vent. Should be pretty easy with the proper tools. There's a post on installing the optional dash board tray that has pictures (or a video) that shows how it is done. I'll try to find it. Okay here it is... http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...+board+storage It looks like this guy pryed it down from the top, but I swear that I started at the bottom since I had better leverage. At least this gives you an idea of the type and number of tabs you are dealing with. Last edited by Pig Farmer; 07-08-2013 at 08:08 PM..
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07-08-2013, 09:23 PM	#6
NorthernDancer Colonel 848 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	Do it when the interior is very hot as the plastic will be more pliable.
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07-09-2013, 07:15 AM	#7
pinmagic The Only Sane One Here 61 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: 135i Convertible Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (1)	Pressing the 2 tabs on the side makes it easier, but you can remove them without doing that - just pry from the bottom, and they'll release. I've done it several times. __________________ 2011 135i VERT SGM/SB/MOONLIGHT - ED - with every single friggin' option they offered.
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07-09-2013, 05:36 PM	#8
chris82 Brigadier General 827 Rep 3,856 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NY NY iTrader: (8) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i [9.80]	Ahh got them all done and installed! thank you!
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04-25-2016, 12:56 AM	#11
litebulb Captain 68 Rep 627 Posts Drives: '09 E88 135i M-Sport/6MT/SGM Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i Cabri ... [10.00]	Never had any issues with mine and I have a cabrio which sees a lot sun, how you protecting them? I throw on some 303 every month or so and if I know I'm going to be leaving it in the sun a long time I use a sun shade. __________________ \| Dinan S2=>MHD \| e46 M3 trans mounts \| Dinan CF CAI \| ER CP \| HKS SSQV4 BOV \| RB PCV Valve \| VRSF DP \| N55 MP \| BMW PE \| OC \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| UUC Evo3 SSK \| EBC GD Sport Rotors \| EBC Redstuff \| TRW F+R \| \| Whiteline KDT918 \| H&R Front Sway \| BMWP 313 \| MPSS 225/255 \| Scopione CF Rear Diffuser \| iCarbon CF Rear Spoiler \| P3 v2.1 Gauge \| Interior LED Retrofit \| Last edited by litebulb; 04-27-2016 at 10:19 PM..
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04-27-2016, 05:55 PM	#13
GuamX1 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 135i, 08 128 Cab Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Guam iTrader: (0)	I always use a sun shade mine were replaced by the dealer before the warranty expired and now they look the same as before. I was thinking of painting them. Anyway I'll take pictures of mine later, thanks __________________ 2013 BMW X1 * 1973 Clubman GT * 2016 Mazda MX5 * 2000 Honda S2000 2004 BMW 325i Touring * 2009 BMW X5 3.0xdrive
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04-29-2016, 12:10 AM	#14
GuamX1 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 135i, 08 128 Cab Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Guam iTrader: (0)	__________________ 2013 BMW X1 * 1973 Clubman GT * 2016 Mazda MX5 * 2000 Honda S2000 2004 BMW 325i Touring * 2009 BMW X5 3.0xdrive
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04-30-2016, 08:14 PM	#16
GuamX1 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 08 BMW 135i, 08 128 Cab Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Guam iTrader: (0)	True
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06-17-2016, 01:19 PM	#17
WP1 Private 18 Rep 99 Posts Drives: White BMW 135i Convertible Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: College Park, MD iTrader: (0)	Anyone painted the vents? I see mine are fading.... The trim of my convertible is the same as my previous car and I did some painting on the old car (you see the flip cell?...hahahah) , but want to keep the BMW classy too. Would like to see pics before doing something like this. Attached Images __________________ Used to own the eclipse (avatar pix). Sold it and post it in memory
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06-23-2016, 06:47 AM	#19
Fakemike First Lieutenant 369 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 135i N54 MT Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	Here is a tread where someone used Mother's Back-to-Black to solve the problem. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=988737
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