Changing centre console switches.

[blues3]

My S3 has the old switches in the centre console...



if I wanted to move to the nicer, fancier type...



I assume that I'd need a set of TR7 switches

Panel Dimmer
Heater Fan
Rear High density lights.

Has anyone done this? and what alternatives have I got? I.E. putting the electric mirror controls on the panel.

Also the eyebal vents appear to be different.... are they?

Thanks

Dave

[tvrgit]

Here's a picture of the switch panel with the trim panel removed (I just did this yesterday!) so you can see if the eyeball vents are the same. YOu can also see how the switches fit - they push in from the front, then the trim panel goes on top.

[v8s4me]

The original switches are quite difficult to get hold of and not that great anyway. Illumination is by fibre optic so you'd need those bits as well unless you converted to LED or conventional bulbs. Either way, a bit of a faf. There are probably much better qulaity illuminated switches available from the usual places.

Some more info here:-
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[blues3]

[quote=tvrgit]Here's a picture of the switch panel with the trim panel removed (I just did this yesterday!) so you can see if the eyeball vents are the same. YOu can also see how the switches fit - they push in from the front, then the trim panel goes on top.

Are you getting the panel veneered? If so, how?

Cheers

D.

[tvrgit]

blues3 said:

tvrgit said:

Here's a picture of the switch panel with the trim panel removed (I just did this yesterday!) so you can see if the eyeball vents are the same. YOu can also see how the switches fit - they push in from the front, then the trim panel goes on top.

Are you getting the panel veneered? If so, how?

Cheers

D.

The panels on my car were never veneered - they have a sort of wood-ish effect paint finish that looks nothing like wood when you look at it from closer than 6 feet away.

The plan was to strip and veneer them myself - I'm not sending them away to be done, that's just not in my DIY spirit.

But now that I've come to order a veneer, I've decided that I don't like the ones that are available online (there is nobody near me who sells them)- they are either too dark or too grey, so I have decided to vinyl wrap the panels in a wood effect and see what it looks like.

I've stripped the panels today, and ordered the vinyl today. If it's crap, I'll peel it off and think again.

[chiefyo]

I went the vinyl route and took it a stage further by laquering the vinyl once applied. Use light coats and practice on some waste first. I was pleased with results, and above all its cheap!!! Also I changed my centre panel switches for toggles with light up ends and added a BIG red button.