Center console

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Scott540
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

Center console

Post by Scott540 »

Hi everyone, I'm new to e12s. Had an e30 I sold last year after fixing it up.
There's a post with my 1981 528 in the new member section. After a couple months of scrubbing every inch of it I need some help

So tell me everything that's wrong with this console. Aren't the hvac controls supposed be on top, then the radio below that? I need to get rid of huge touch screen. How hard is to take apart and reassemble the console? Without the current dry wall screws of course. Is the radio ever on top? That would be the easiest fix.

I'll probably have more questions on the wiring. There's about 10 wires coming off the battery and a key fob central lock. Thanks
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Mike W.
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Location: Sonoma County

Re: Center console

Post by Mike W. »

That is a bizarre setup with that touchscreen. Regardless, here's a pic from a long past car of the month, showing the correct setup.

Image
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
Scott540
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

Re: Center console

Post by Scott540 »

Thanks. That helps. Now I need to figure out how to get it right. Really wish there was a bentley manual for these
dutch
Posts: 46
Joined: Sat Apr 15, 2023 8:22 am

Re: Center console

Post by dutch »

Looks like you need to lower the radio panel en the heater control panel is missing...

As for the manual; I`d look into getting an original workshop manual, aka "the blue books" .

On this site you will find the bmw explosion drawings so you can see what`s missing.
https://www.wallothnesch.com/
Scott540
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

Re: Center console

Post by Scott540 »

Thanks
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528i-1981
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Re: Center console

Post by 528i-1981 »

I'm actually impressed this was even attempted. It certainly shows a level of commitment even if the execution is a bit slapdash.

Does your car have A/C? I'm guessing the one existing climate knob is for temp and you have no blend control? No vent or is vent on all the time? How about defrost?

Without knowing what the P/O removed, it's hard to know what you need. It's also not clear what irreversible mods were made to what remains. Any chance you could get a parts car long enough to perform a side-by-side transplant? If you try to do this part-by-part I think it's going to be murder.
(oo=00=oo) Eric
1981 528i Manual
Scott540
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Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

Re: Center console

Post by Scott540 »

Has a/c but pretty sure it doesn't work. Vents are open all the time. Not sure about defrost. I've thought about just leaving it as with a new radio up top just to get rid of the touch screen. Might just do that and clean everything up. Thanks
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Mike W.
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Re: Center console

Post by Mike W. »

Scott540 wrote: Sun May 26, 2024 2:17 pm Thanks. That helps. Now I need to figure out how to get it right. Really wish there was a bentley manual for these
The Haynes manual for E12s isn't half bad, much better than say for E28s where it's just garbage. Out of print of course, but ebay etc.
Mike W.



02 525ita. Wife's, aka grocery getter
02 530i. New to the fleet, 3 pedals.
03 QX4, AKA the Datsun. Finally got the 4WD vacationmoble to stop smoking.
07 Xterra. Still on the DL, a purchase from hell.
Scott540
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:04 pm

Re: Center console

Post by Scott540 »

Yep. Got the haynes off ebay
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