E30 dashboard swap: how hard can it be?

[Wes]

Hey guys,

I wanna change the cracked dash in my E30 chromie. I have the replacement dash already, so basically..... how hard can it be?

Any advice?

 

[Nic_s]

There's write up on the net on how to take out an E30 dash. Just Google.

Quick link (Page 2 at bottom of page):
http://home.comcast.net/~cdeegan9/dashboard/dashboard_1.html

Another:
http://e30performance.info/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=540

:thumb:

 

[Kobus328i]

If do decide to do it yourself, please take lost of pics on the whole procedure. A lot of the E30 guys would appreciate it.

Where did you get a replacement dash from ?

 

[Peter@AEW]

The links are pretty accurate.
Please remove the A pillar cover plates before installing the dash as it will be easier to seat it correctly.

Good luck with the install and do take some pics if possible

 

[Wes]

I was looking for a bonnet and got to this guy's house in the middle of nowhere.. so...:fencelook: The bonnet i came to collect is laying next to a very sorry looking e30 cabrio and when i actually took a look in the car it had a 99% perfect dash in it.

I ask "how much?" .......he says "well, give me R300" ...... i say "no problem"

 

[Peter@AEW]

I was looking for a bonnet and got to this guy's house in the middle of nowhere.. so...:fencelook: The bonnet i came to collect is laying next to a very sorry looking e30 cabrio and when i actually took a look in the car it had a 99% perfect dash in it.

I ask "how much?" .......he says "well, give me R300" ...... i say "no problem"

That is what is known as obscene luck.
Those things are unobtainium.

Well done

 

[Psymon69]

Thers a guy on the e30 forum called baz that has done this. You can speak to him. But the links are pretty good. Take pics yes.lots!

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Sounds like a very cool rewarding job to do to your own E30 yourself

 

[Ram3on]

It's a very easy job, biggest problem will be for you to take out the 'snap-off bolts holding the steering column, but other than that it's very straight forward....oh one more tricky thing is the one little screw 'Phillips head' that is located underneath the left corner where your centre console and dash (vent controll) meet .... Normally people brake them out :nonono: cause very few people know it's there....and if your car is still very OEM....there is a plastic 'tie nut' (same as the ones holding your headlight plastic dust and splash backings) on the right side by the peddle box.... If not sure of anything PM :thumbs: hope this help and best of luck!!

 

[Wes]

Thanks guys for all the support..

As soon as the car comes back from the dyno - hopefully next week, i'm dedicating a whole saturday to the dash swap (my other half just needs to be strong:blab

Will definitely take as many pics as possible.

 

[bimmerphile]

I was looking for a bonnet and got to this guy's house in the middle of nowhere.. so...:fencelook: The bonnet i came to collect is laying next to a very sorry looking e30 cabrio and when i actually took a look in the car it had a 99% perfect dash in it.

I ask "how much?" .......he says "well, give me R300" ...... i say "no problem"

Does he have any other cabriolet parts for sale? Can you send me his details?

 

[Wes]

@bimmerphile: Ay, that was well over a year ago hey. But there is a guy out towards the free state side that apparently has about 15 nearly complete e30's laying around - i haven't seen it but the guy who told me about it is a reliable source and i'm planning on taking a drive out there one of these days..

And if anything comes up i will definitely let you guys know:thumbs:

 

[Raybimmer]

15 E30 's....Keep us posted :thumbs::thumbs:

 

[Ram3on]

@635_wes....I'll drive there tomorrow and throw in whatever you need just to get the information of the site :roflol: