Why doesnt this fit?

[Todd Black 88]

That explains why it was so hard to install my center console... I rescued my car from a careless cigarette smoker (dumb idea, by the way), and needed to replace the interior due to the number of burns everywhere. If you trim where you were trimming until your notch is flush with the surrounding material, it will fit in there. However, I think the early model consoles must have been a hair taller as well, as it is a pretty tight squeeze to jam it under the dash.

As for the breaker button, if you like the look of only having the two window buttons, you could put the breaker button under the shift boot area. You can still get to it pretty easy if you need to (I never have) but it will be out of the way most of the time. Or I imagine you could run it up and put it in one of the blank spots by the rear defroster button.

Damn...guess I'll have to trim it, if possible.



I've been wondering what I was gonna do with that breaker button...

Go pick up an early e3"0 breaker. They were mounted on the dash, next to the defrost/hazard buttons, and they have the right bezel surround to match.

[Simon S]

It can be done.
I put an early model console in my late model..

My next battles involved retrofitting early model/non-airbag parts including console, trim piece above steering wheel column, and driver’s side kick panel. Luckily, BMW had kept/used the same tooling (essentially the same part) with minor trimming. I could almost envision factory workers – standing in front of some jig – trimming out the parts as needed for the air bag models.

Cross-member getting trimmed to fit over brace from transmission tunnel.



Comparison shot of old and new consoles. Note big chunk trimmed from airbag console.



Here's where we can see the work of an hourly paid employee banging out trim work on the airbag console. I just needed to copy that work.



Made a quick template to mimic the shape.







Finished. Cut-out area allows for clearance of airbag knee bolster.

[bmw325csi]

When I installed a airbag knee bolster into my non airbag car, I trimmed the center console a bit where the bolster meets it.

Then I went back the the stock bolster and now I have a gap between the console and bolster. ;(

[lambo]

No, 1990 cars have airbags. 1988-1989 had their own console too.

Damn...guess I'll have to trim it, if possible.

As for the breaker button, if you like the look of only having the two window buttons, you could put the breaker button under the shift boot area. You can still get to it pretty easy if you need to (I never have) but it will be out of the way most of the time. Or I imagine you could run it up and put it in one of the blank spots by the rear defroster button.

I've been wondering what I was gonna do with that breaker button...

[flying_violin]

If I trim much more I'll come right thru the thing...

That explains why it was so hard to install my center console... I rescued my car from a careless cigarette smoker (dumb idea, by the way), and needed to replace the interior due to the number of burns everywhere. If you trim where you were trimming until your notch is flush with the surrounding material, it will fit in there. However, I think the early model consoles must have been a hair taller as well, as it is a pretty tight squeeze to jam it under the dash.

As for the breaker button, if you like the look of only having the two window buttons, you could put the breaker button under the shift boot area. You can still get to it pretty easy if you need to (I never have) but it will be out of the way most of the time. Or I imagine you could run it up and put it in one of the blank spots by the rear defroster button.

[MR 325]

So...will an '88 console fit in a '90?

No, 1990 cars have airbags. 1988-1989 had their own console too.

[jrobie79]

that little cutout on the left side of the picture needs to be bigger...I got a non-airbag console in mine right now, bit of trimming underneath, and that cutout on the left side needs to be lengthened

[grays]

maybe get a dremal and trim the metal bracket

[lambo]

You have a 84-87 console. You need a 90-91 (airbag) console.

So...will an '88 console fit in a '90?

[sfinsf]

You have a 84-87 console. You need a 90-91 (airbag) console.

Thank you Sir!

[MR 325]

You have a 84-87 console. You need a 90-91 (airbag) console.

[unevolved]

That bracket looks a lot like my 91 318i.

[sfinsf]

If I trim much more I'll come right thru the thing...

[sfinsf]

Da fug is that. Never seen that before.

seriously... it's because of racecar!

[sfinsf]

airbag models are different than non air bag models. The airbag knee bolster has a bracket which the is under the console. You can make it fit with some trimming

Trimming of the partition?