Gauging Interest: E46 console retrofit service

[glucklich21]

So basically I've figured out how to fab up mounts in a way that retrofitting an E46 console wouldn't be as involved as before. However it's still a little complex and does take a bit of time to do right. Which is why I was thinking of a service.

You would ship me you E46 console and your center console and I would make it pretty much drop in place into your E30 without much effort on your part. If I were to do something like this, it would be roughly $125+ just because of the materials and time that is required to make it work. A little pricy which is why I though about selling a kit instead for those a little bit more skill inclined than others. It would include all of the templates, materials, and instructions necessary to do it, minus the finishing materials like fiberglass, bondo, primer, etc. That would be about $75. These figures are just rough estimates and could go up or down once I have everything worked out.

Turn around time would be around 2 weeks.

I'm still working on the mock up design, so I don't have really anything to show right now, but once the final design is done, I'll post pics of everything.


So anyone be interested in this?

[george graves]

I'd be interested in seeing a pic and understanding what it is - this is kinda a visual thing you're selling.

How are you making the front of the e4 console look decent with the e30 console since they don't match up?

[IRON-E]

Interested in seeing mounted pics and working internals.

[glucklich21]

I understand. I'm still pretty early in the final mockup, so I don't really have much to show so far other than a bunch of templates and metal pieces. I plan on having the mounting part finished by the middle of the week.

For making it match up, fiberglassing about half an inch on each side of the E30 center console and sanding it down to match the contours out the E46, similar to DeansBimmer.



And as for mechanics, the only issues are the emergency brake being a little close to the console itself, which I'm trying to come up with a way around it.

[E30Nova]

I'd be interested. I started an e46 console conversion like a year ago and still haven't finished it due to being so freakin lazy. :rofl:

[glucklich21]

Totally understand that feeling....

[kid325e]

Any benefits in swapping to the E46 one? Just curious, seems cool.

[glucklich21]

Looks, ergonomics, more storage, and cup holders.

[SeriousBusiness]

Looks, ergonomics, more storage, and cup holders.

Cup holders. Damn it I am IN.

[kid325e]

Oh I see! Didn't think about the rear end of the center console. Just went off what I saw in the picture.

[george graves]

Interesting - can I ask how you plan to replicate the surface texture?

[glucklich21]

The e46 console is coated in a soft plastic film, basically a nicer version of plastic dip. However since I'm going to be sanding the crap out of the E30 console, a lot of the stock texture will be lost. So my plan was to just fill it with filling primer and sand away till I got a nice smooth surface to match the e46 coating after a few sprays of plastic dip.

However I'm interested in some how replicating the stock texture, even if it means peeling off the plastic and just working with the foam underneath and have the stock texture reapplied and stretched if possible.

[KenC]

Interested pending pictures of completed product.

[glucklich21]

Instead of cup holders, there's a few configurations of storage trays where the cup holders go. The same goes for the rear ash tray.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=MorePartInfo&PartID=758400&siteid=214672&catalogid=4462

[StereoInstaller1]

Interesting - can I ask how you plan to replicate the surface texture?

George, several manufacturers (DupliColor, SEM, couple of others I can't remember) make "texture spray" that can make a fine match with some patience and skill.

I could show you if you ever made it to the goddamn picnic.