How do I remove and re-install this piece of door trim?

[mach schnell]

My E30 was re-painted. The body shop removed this piece of trim along the top of the coupe's window frame, shown in this picture at the bottom of my post.

They later lost this piece of trim. So, because the trim is NLA, I had to buy a whole used door --- I have remove the trim from the used door, and install it on my E30's original door.

Definitely don't want to break this piece of trim, as I had to go to great lengths just to get this door...!!!!

Any tips are much appreciated!!!!

[reelizmpro]

Are you serious???? wow. Pull the mirror, and with the door open install the top part first, then swing it down until the bottom part latches on to those clips on the door frame. Make sure it's "hooked" on the top first though before pushing the bottom down over those clips. Lubricant spray will help also as you don't want to deform the trim during installation.

91 318iS also came shadowlined and those are easier to find in the JY but any 2 door E30 trim will fit if you are willing to respray it yourself.

[mach schnell]

I need to know how to remove it, first --- without bending or breaking it. I don't know what's behind it, so I'm being careful. Maybe it's like Lego and I'll be like "Holy shit that was fucking easy" but right now I'm going "Don't let me break this mother fucker, I don't want to have to go find another one....!!!".....

[mach schnell]

And, I got it. All done. Thanks for the help.

[cory58]

And, I got it. All done. Thanks for the help.

So, how did you remove it? I'll be stripping down my touring for paint soon and am already worried about breaking/bending NLA trim.

Cory

[mach schnell]

Well, I did the reverse of what reelizmpro said to do to install it.

Like so:

- Open the door, gently pull the tweeter speaker housing straight back from the door and lift it out and unclip the tweeter's plug
- Remove the two 8mm bolts that hold the door mirror on - remove it and unclip the mirror's plug
- Shut the door, and remove the trim that runs along the bottom of the window frame (long straight piece) - do this by using a small wedge (i.e. Wood) or a plastic trim removal tool, place it under that trim and slowly tap upwards on the wedge or lever upwards carefully little by little with the plastic trim removal tool. The trim is pushed down into metal clips that hold it tightly, so you have to slowly work it up and out of those clips, being careful not to bend it.
- Remove the almost-L shaped trim along the top of the window frame by carefully hooking your thumbs under it and gently levering it away from the door, while simultaneously pushing it up toward the ceiling - this will release the bottom of the C-shaped trim from the window frame, and then lift the trim out of the metal clip holding it onto the door. Do this starting at the door mirror area and work your way along the window frame toward the opposite corner of the window frame. This piece of trim is more fragile than the straight piece you removed previously...!!!

Note that I used the word "carefully" a lot..... :D !!!!!

[cory58]

Well, I did the reverse of what reelizmpro said to do to install it.

Like so:

- Open the door, gently pull the tweeter speaker housing straight back from the door and lift it out and unclip the tweeter's plug
- Remove the two 8mm bolts that hold the door mirror on - remove it and unclip the mirror's plug
- Shut the door, and remove the trim that runs along the bottom of the window frame (long straight piece) - do this by using a small wedge (i.e. Wood) or a plastic trim removal tool, place it under that trim and slowly tap upwards on the wedge or lever upwards carefully little by little with the plastic trim removal tool. The trim is pushed down into metal clips that hold it tightly, so you have to slowly work it up and out of those clips, being careful not to bend it.
- Remove the almost-L shaped trim along the top of the window frame by carefully hooking your thumbs under it and gently levering it away from the door, while simultaneously pushing it up toward the ceiling - this will release the bottom of the C-shaped trim from the window frame, and then lift the trim out of the metal clip holding it onto the door. Do this starting at the door mirror area and work your way along the window frame toward the opposite corner of the window frame. This piece of trim is more fragile than the straight piece you removed previously...!!!

Note that I used the word "carefully" a lot..... :D !!!!!

Very helpful. Thank you!

Cory