For anyone interested, I just installed a B&I dash kit in my 2000 Z3. Installation was fairly easy as long as you follow the instructions. The vote of unbiased folks was that it looked a lot better than the original plain tan, so it was worth the expense. My only complaint is that there are small gaps where a large section was broken down into two. This may have been to make installation easier, but it could have been done better.
Good idea. I should have thought of it. If you look at the center console shot you'll notice that the triangular shapes above the climate control knobs are separate pieces and this allows you to see the original tan material which makes the "wood" dash clearly not original. Otherwise, pretty nice I think.
I had heard about the glove box "smile" but did not understand what part if referred to or what it looked like until now ;-) I had a rattle from play in the lid, which I stopped with felt adhesive pads. I have bought the fix kit metal bar, but since I don't have a smile or rattle, I am in no hurry to install it. I am also thinking that if I installed the wood trim on the lid first, any twisting and tweaking of the box in removing it might not be good for the trim.
Yes, I plan on removing all the metal (designed to protect the knees of someone in an accident that doesn't have their seatbelt on) in the glove box as I understand that that will fix the problem with less fuss. Also, I don't think installing the wood/plastic piece first will be an issue as the glove box itself is pretty straight. The problem is that the weight pulls it down creating that gap and misalignment.
Yes, I plan on removing all the metal... in the glove box as I understand that that will fix the problem with less fuss. Also, I don't think installing the wood/plastic piece first will be an issue as the glove box itself is pretty straight. The problem is that the weight pulls it down creating that gap and misalignment.
The smile is a deformation or bend in the weak upper frame of the box. My 1997 glove box has the metal safety panel but does not have any trace of the smile. So the safety panel alone does not cause the smile; it just adds to the weight of whatever else is carried in the glove box. The total bouncing weight is what causes the smile over time.
If you remove the metal safety panel, it will not fix the smile. You can bend the smile out, but it will probably come back, unless the steel bar kit is installed. The steel bar in the kit is extremely rigid, a special steel so hard that emery cloth barely scratches it for painting.
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