[Reportage]: Installazione tunnel e46 su e30

m_dream · Feb 13, 2011

ragazzi guardate che spettacolo

So, this is my version of the e46 console mod! I'm taking pictures along the way for my project book so I decided I might as well post them up for entertainment and education. There are some missing progress shots as I got busy and forgot to grab the camera along the way. So dont be bitchin at me...

First step is cutting some of the front off for clearance and cosmetics...As is, the console is too long and interferes with the tip of the e-brake handle. It just doesn't feel "right" yet.

Cutting off some of the front of the console... About 3/4".

A little better... Now its only a half inch too wide on each side...

Started cutting down the console and putting in my mounts and bracing. This shot is post mods..

The e-brake light switch interferes with the console, so I hogged out some of the area for clearance with a carbide burr since there is plenty of factory material to work with.

A close up of the area.

You can see the mounts made to hold the console.

More of the mountings for support.

The long bar holds up the console under the cup holder and the shorter piece holds just under the ebrake handle. Both mounting points keep the console from moving back and forth. Its quite solid now.

I tried to figure out a way to integrate the e46 hazards and window lock buttons, but that wasn't happening as they require a computer module built into the e46. So I filled in the hole here with rohacel and used filler for the rest.

Next came shaping rohacel foam at the rear of the front console to widen it and give it the proper shape to form to the front of the rear console. I missed a few pictures during the shaping process, but here is the foam shaped, attached, and some filler applied...

Next some fiberglass... 2 oz for a nice tight weave. Anything heavier and its harder to work with and you'll see weave after everything cures for a month or two.

Now started to use glazing putty instead of filler since I only needed a few thin layers and dont want the air bubbles that come with filler. All said and done I think I applied 8 layers to get the right shape...

Quick shot of primer to confirm the shape and find any more work needed..

Sprayed on some unreduced 2k primer to fill in the factory texture and seal the filler. Later I sanded the heck out of it down to 400 grit to get it nice and smooth ready for paint.

Spraying the black. After much deliberation and experimentation on other parts, I decided to use Plasti-dip for the consoles. If I had my way, I'd fill the texture and do the same thing to the dash since it turned out so nice.

Smooth...

Shitty pictures of completed work ready for protectant and final cleanup.

So, I'm pleased with the results...One of my gripes with the few console swaps I've felt, (besides the obvious issues with where they meet), was how wobbly and fragile they seemed. This one has so much bracing that I can literally sit on the console or armrest and they wont budge. I love it, and the cup holders are definitely a plus! The Plasti-Dip gives the parts a nice factory texture and appearance. Hopefully it will last a while.

6 Month Update: OK, so the PlastiDip scratches easily so wear is really starting to show around the eBrake and edges near the pedals. Would not recommend using Plasti-Dip anymore.
1 Year Update: The Plasti-Dip is completely worn off around the gas pedal, and around the e-brake is looking really crappy. Will need to recoat, it's an eyesore.
2 Year Update:Couldn't take it anymore so I repainted the consoles with PPG black base and PPG Flex'd 'n Flat. Same looks but hard as nails.
Click to expand...

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80990

suzuman1 · Feb 16, 2011

azz che lavorone...per avere poi il bracciolo ed il portalattine...non so se mi sarei sbattuto così tanto...

m_dream · Feb 16, 2011

si quello si però ringiovanisce di brutto l'estetica interna, io personalmente avrei messo una serrandina però /emoticons/biggrin@2x.png 2x" width="20" height="20">

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