My instrument panel (dash board) mid finisher trims around the head unit had worked it's way loose of late, causing a seriously annoying rattle. It eventually got to the point where the passenger side trim at the inboard end was actually coming away from the dash.

I decided, to save my sanity, to remove the trims for the time being to see what the problem was and whilst I found a fix.

Upon removing the trims, it was immediately evident time and condition changes had taken their toll on the plastic fixings that hold the trims in place. They had completely discoloured and every one had cracked or split. The one at the inboard edge had completely fell to pieces, and just fell out when I took the trim off.

broken e46 trim fixingbroken e46 trim fixings


I called up BMW and got 5 replacement fixings sent out, only cost 44p each which was a bonus.

e46 trim fixings

Offering up the trim fixings against the old ones, it was clear just how aged the old ones were.

broken e46 trim fixings

It took a bit of fiddling to work out how to get these fixings out, turns out they require a quarter turn clockwise then a firm pull upwards at an angle. And the opposite to fit the new ones.

Once all five fixings were replaced I refitted both trim panels and all was good as new. The new fixings hold the trims extremely solidly, and thankfully no sanity testing rattles.

e46 dash consolee46 passenger dash trim