350i interior

[taximan480]

i am thinking of restoring the interior of my 350i
any help or advice will be so so gratefully received
taximan

[v8s4me]

Colour combinations and materials are a matter of personal choice but I'd suggest you make sure you fix all your water leaks before fitting any new materials. It's taken me since the middle of January to track down all the holes in mine. Only new door seals to fit not and fingers crossed that will stop the leak over the sill.

I've bought THIS stuff to use as the main sound deadening on the flat surfaces and a combination of THIS sort of thing and THIS stuff to cover the curved areas like the transmission tunnel.

So if my interior remains dry for another week I'll start fitting all of the above and let you know how it works.

Good luck

[440Interceptor]

You don't say what's in there now and whether you want to retain anything or re-do the lot. I swapped out all the carpets for new backed automotive carpet. Its worth taking the time to remove as much old glue as you can, but don;t worry if some won't come off. Use hi temp adhesive otherwise it will let go when the sun's out...

I got some rolls of backed foam offcuts from a local upholsterer who had mountains of the stuff. It varies between maybe half to one inch thick maybe more on the sides of the trans tunnel and inside the door sills, so its really snug and quiet. Floors too so you can't feel the fibreglass under the carpet when you step in. The whole lot cost about $70, and the glue cost twice that, and the carpet cost twice that again.

Here's pic of the boot which I haven't carpeted yet, but you can see the foam. The wheelarches have a bead on them so I might have to pay someone...The foam is medium density, not too soft not too hard.

I have cream vinyl which I just cleaned and replaced. I didn't want to pay the stupid prices classic car trimmers want, and anyway I didn't want the car looking brand new. As a result I still have something that looks original and smells like the 1980s...

Use your old carpets as templates but cut the new stuff too big then trim in situ.

[440Interceptor]

Found one of the cabin before carpet...

[440Interceptor]

Finished article. With all new edge trims probably cost $700-$800 all up. Do it, it not hard, just be methodical and don't rush. Very satisfying once its done, and brings the car up more than you'd think.

[tvrmk363]

The area that I have been struggling with during my interior change is the area where the door, hood and body behind the door come together. I have a gap there.

[v8s4me]

That's a tricky area on the 'S' as well. I made an angled plate covered in hood fabric and Velcro and secured to the tub. This covered the ugly gap and provided a secure Velcro attachment for the hood. In the end I did something completely different but hopefully these pictures give you an idea of how this mod would work.

[taximan480]

Thanks guys
The interior is red leather and I am going to try to keep it. I know it needs a lot of TCL but I would like her to show her age without being shabby. I will need a new glove box door as the last owner butchered the present one and the boot switch is definitely dodgy but I think that most of the present interior can be refurbished possibly need to swap over the seats and do some cosmetic repairs but I want a car to drive and enjoy without being afraid of damaging the car

[gmw9666]

Elbow grease and some leather feed (and a roll of new carpet) works wonders ....... if I wanted it even better I could re fresh the colour using one of those furniture clinic kits

[taximan480]

If I wanted to swap the seats for something more modern while restoring the original seats what seats would fit without much alteration

[mrzigazaga]

MX 5..Nissan NSX...Griffith or Chimaera..But to name a few...

[colin mee]

Mine has chim seats so I am told .if you want a photo let me know. Colin

[taximan480]

I have found a really good set of MX8 red and black leather seats so I think these will be going in