So, after about 2 hours of ripping stuff apart, I was unsuccessful in taking the dash top off my 06 mini.

I discovered several screws under the passenger side trim piece along with the ones you can see, but the damn thing still won't let go! I was unable to remove the driver side dash trim to look for more screws, but it feels like something in the middle if the dash is holding it in.

Has anyone anywhere gotten theirs off?! A web search yields no results, and even a warning about the dash being "integrated" with the passenger airbag.

Anyone?!

 

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...moval-diy.html

 

Found that, and that's not it. 05 & 06 have a diff dash, a 3 piece. It is NOT as simple as the half dozen screws like that, trust me.

I've found stuff for removing a 3 piece dash trim a well, but it doesn't specify the das top!

 

nobody?

side note, anyone else get that wind whistling from the back of the car? my gf says it sounded like a table saw from really far away.

 

Don't know where the thread is, but I do know there is one on the '05/06 dash top removal. You can try a google search that includes 'north american motoring'. The native search engine is more like a caboose.

 

i think i found that one, but it turns out to only be about removing the dash trim, not the top, even though its titled like that.

ive just tried searching again, and either links are broken, or files are corrupt everywhere!

if anyone has some links, please post them! im happy to do a DIY if i can get proper instructions

 

My R56 makes all kinds or rattles and squeaks, mostly from what seems like under the dash. I can't figure out how to get it off either. Anyone?

 

There are instructions here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ash-board.html (post #11). However the thread is from 2006 and pic links are no longer active. It looks like the instructions might have come from the BMW TIS manual. I can check at home tonight.

If you're doing this sort of thing, you should have a Bentley manual. It should be there.

 

i dont have a bently manual yet, but if someone has one of those OEM install sheets, that would be awesome!

 

Try ECS tuning or TheMiniPartstore or similar site for a diagram. I was on one of those sites looking for an unnamed trim piece and they had exploded diagrams showing where each piece went. Maybe one of those will show the location of the screws.

 

I have no idea, but I'll be watching this thread cause I'd like to remove mine!

 

Instructions for the dash top, and two of the preliminary tasks

 

Super Awesome!
and equally dissapointing bc its such a pita! haha

 

if anyone else does this, please let me know if it can be done without taking off the front A pillar trim. super pita to replace those clips! who knows where to even get them :P

 

At the dealer, of course: http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...98&hg=51&fg=40 (item # 6, P/N 07130766476).

 

i just wanted to report, that i believe i have eliminated yet another source of dash rattle, without having to rip the dash up!

for anyone w/ an automatic AC, there is that temp sensor in the middle of the dash, near the windshield. that is the "first" thing you do when taking the dash apart. it never occurred to me that thing could make noise; but after some quick dash-banging, it was a culprit!

after removal of the sensor, i noticed an old and failing piece of foam that looks like it was supposed to keep that thing from rattling around. i put a couple of O rings on the sensor and jammed it back. No more Rattle! yaaa!

i also think the plastic piece on the rear hatch was making noise, it was slightly loose at the base where it locks to the car. some double sided tape took care of that.

now the only real noises i hear is my damn driver window! stupid thing creaks on the highway, drives me super crazy! :(

 

I might have to look into this sensor when mine start rattling. Good job Astro. 1 more mod for you, now you are "susupermodded"

 

Any idea on what size O-Rings you used for the sensor? I want to pull mine out and resecure it as well!

 

i dont, but id say not much bigger than your finger, smaller than your thumb?

even electrical tape would probably work. youll notice the little "sponge" they put on the thing, and how its probably collapsed. you just need something to make it fit tight again. i just happened to have a big ole box of Orings in all sizes; otherwise i was about to tape it.

 

sorry to resurrect but I'm in the middle of an OEM bluetooth retrofit on my 06 (see sig for link). I have the same TIS pdfs there were attached to post 12 by rkw. I've removed all dash pad fasteners identified in those PDFs as well as all the other stuff that needed to be pulled including the a-pillars, instrument panel trim and glove box. you can see the dashpad status in these pics here. the dash top seems to be very tightly stuck behind the passenger airbag. everywhere else it's loose.

has anyone successfully removed an '05/'06 top pad? any advice at all on what it could be? I'm stuck but my car's in really good condition and I don't want to risk damaging anything

thanks in advance..

 

Thanks for brining this thread back, I've been wanting figure out what that stupid rattle was in the dash. Gonna try to crack open the dash first thing tomorrow morning!

 

Ugh, NMR. I have an r56 =\

 

You have to remove the screws being the panel on the tach as well.

Then, there are like 2 or 3 cables that hold a dash piece in place below the passenger airbag. It's for when it goes off, it keeps that square bit from hitting you in the face.

I found a PDF somewhere, if I find it I'll link you. I don't think you have to remove the A pillars tho, but since it's done, I'd just wait on putting them back.

 

Check your temp sensor in the rear middle of the dash. Mine was rattling, bc they use shitty foam to hold it in place. Gently pry it up, and put some O rings or tape around it. That did it for me!

 

I have one of those periscope cameras from harbor freight.. was going to snoop around underneath. This seems to be the most likely explanation :-) you would thing the damn TIS doc for the dash upper would mention it...

was that PDF you mentioned a TIS doc?

a-pillar wise, I still needed to remove the right side one to install the bluetooth mic harness and cell antenna on my retrofit. It's pretty darn tight on the sides but worth keeping them on if you can - the a-pillar TIS doc directs you to cut the tethers attaching the airbag to the a-pillar trim. the trim panels aren't that expensive per realoem, but who knows if those tethers are included or not..

Will definitely o-ring the climate sensor while I've got the dashpad out.

thx astro