[tboooe]

Based on this great thread, I learned that the LCI AC/radio trim piece can be retrofitted to our cars. The best part is that the LCI piece comes with ambient lighting!

Here are some pics of the trim after I installed it this weekend. I am very happy with the way it looks, especially at night. Check out my build thread for more details on the installation.

Before:


After:


Cant get enough LED!

[MSportTune2]

After I did this mod, something weird is happening on my ride when I start it in the morning. I am hearing like vent sounds and a creaking dashboard.
Did anyone who did this mod experience the same problem?

I have double checked and everything seem in order. I have the alcantara trim with the center vents and sounded like it is coming from there.

[tboooe]

I was afraid of that happening to me as well so when I reinstalled the center vent piece I used some double sided tape to ensure that everything was secure.

[Fronzdan]

Like the 3M stuff you use to attach rear deck spoilers and the lip? Or something a little milder, like the foam stuff you can buy at Home Depot for insulation?

[tboooe]

Yes, I used the good 3m stuff used for spoilers. However, I cut just small pieces no more than 1/4" square to give the trim some adhesion but not so much that I couldn't remove it later.

[Fronzdan]

Once I get my parts in, you'll have to show me where you applied it. Any kind of squeak would drive me bat shit.

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Once I get my parts in, you'll have to show me where you applied it. Any kind of squeak would drive me bat shit.

No problem. Glad to help.

And yes I am also totally anal about squeaks. I have some right now being caused by the door seals rubbing against the windows. I cant seem to pin point a way to resolve it though. I am getting super annoyed.

[MSportTune2]

I am going to find sometime to remove and install again and maybe loosen it a little on the 4 bolts. If others have done it without any creaking and not having to add anything, I gonna try to redo it again. I will update soonest.

[MSportTune2]

Just an update. I was able to remove everything needed including the AC trim and reinstalled again. This time I loosen the 4 bolts and made sure I did not over tighten it.
I am not hearing anymore creaking so the AC trim is fine. However, my M Perf CF trim has a little creaking but not all the time so I am just ignoring it for now.

[Fronzdan]

Ok my parts are arriving today from Christian in Germany. Time to think about installing. So any tips on removing the big trim piece to get started? Are there specific pry points for a panel removal tool? Best place to start? I've seen the YouTube video, but I'm pretty sure it was already unclipped in that vid. They just show someone pulling it away from the dash.

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Ok my parts are arriving today from Christian in Germany. Time to think about installing. So any tips on removing the big trim piece to get started? Are there specific pry points for a panel removal tool? Best place to start? I've seen the YouTube video, but I'm pretty sure it was already unclipped in that vid. They just show someone pulling it away from the dash.

Its actually pretty easy. I just started on the left side and just started rocking it. Its only held in place with clips. Work slowly across being careful when you get to the right side where the center piece is thinnest.

[Fronzdan]

Do you need to use pry tools or can you just do it with your hands?

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Do you need to use pry tools or can you just do it with your hands?

Just my hands. I found some areas where my fingers would fit on the top of the center piece that gave me a good grip to wiggle. Actually I used more a rocking motion vertically. It really does not require that much force at all.

[Fronzdan]

Yep, just my hands. It was pretty easy to remove. Hardest part was the damn connectors. So that's off. Next remove the old trim piece. First the top two screws, then pry the lower trim off to get at the bottom screws....

[tboooe]

GREAT! The hardest part for me was removing the radio and ac units from the old trim. I used to trim removal tools to disengage the clips and pushed on the units while working my way across with the tools.

[Fronzdan]

Almost done! Hardest part for me is getting the damn cables/connectors back in on the main trim piece. That's where I am now. Having lunch first lol. Removing the control panels...I had a pile of credit cards and a thin screwdriver. Not too bad.

[Fronzdan]

And......we're done. All back together, working and no "oh crap's". Thanks for the help tboooe and Dante, who also helped me get the parts from Germany and built the Y harness.

Now if we could just increase the brightness of the door light pipes.

[tboooe]

Congrats man! Pics please.

[instalher]

just did my upgrade. 120 bucks Canadian from Germany. took about 45 min start to finish. very nice and elegant touch at night. didn't use the bmw molex plugs instead I just soldered from new trim to oem wiring.

[Fronzdan]

I like the classic better than the sport, mainly because you can hardly see the sport in q black interior.