Advice needed...

[Marcus]

Hi, I drive a 4-door 1990 BMW 316i (E30).

I would like to remove the glass from the back two doors (the rear windows are not electric).
I have a 'Haynes' manual (for service and repair, it gives a step through guide).

To remove the door trim panel, the guide says:

1. Disconnect the battery negative cable.
2. Remove all door trim panel retaining screws and door pull/armrest assemblies.
3. On models with manual windows, remove the window regulator handle.
4. Disengage the trim panel-to-door retaining clips. Work around outer edge until the panel is free.
5.Once all clips are disengaged, detach the trim panel, unplug any electrical connectors, and remove the trim panel from the vehicle.
6. For access to the inner door, carefully peel back the plastic water shield.

As I mentioned at stage '2', there doesn't seem to be any door trim panel retaining screws, and I cannot find any other attachment method.


Can anyone help? The trim is black and seems to be in a imitation leather style, if that helps

Many thanks, Marcus

 

[OreoGaborio]

did you look for skrews inside the armrests?

 

[junglestylz]

Screw's inside armrest, and the one that holds the door knob on. You have to slide the trim piec around the door knob off, then you can see the screw.

 

[Marcus]

Thanks for replying,

I have unscrewed the two screws from the arm-rest and the one for the window winder, however, the arm rest still seems to be attached by some sort of spindle or hidden screw towards the rear end of it, and I cannot work it off.

Once I have removed the armrest do you then know how to remove the actual trim off the door. As I cannot find a solution to this other than using force; and I don't want to brake anything.

Regards
Marcus

 

[bichmgnt]

If the arm rests are like mine (86 325es, 91 325 iC), there are two screws in the lower part of the arm rest underneath and one in the upper part. The only one hidden is the upper one in the front part of the arm rest behind a small plate or the mirror adjust switch. I don't understand why you can't find the last screw. A mystery to ponder.

Steve

 

[Marcus]

The arm rests I am talking about are the rear arm rests; it is a 4-door, so doesn't have a mirror adjust plate..?

 

[bichmgnt]

Oh, yeah, rear doors. I'll learn to read someday.

Steve

 

[Marcus]

Have any of you any ideas then? they would be much appreciated.