About to rip my car apart

[sleepyrascal]

I will soon bee ripping out my interior to install some sound stuff, hardwire the Road Angel and a few other bits n bobs.

I have a few questions though....

I need to take out the front drivers seat. What happens with the seat airbag. Can I just disconnect or is there some process?

Also, How do I remove the standard head unit. Cant find any space for keys..

To those foks who have installed 6x9s, did they fit on the back shelf ok. I will be making a new one but it will still be the same size.

Finally, has anyone taken all carpets/seats/fittings etc out of their car before? Is it easy to take apart/put back together?

Any other tips???

[minidriver#1]

http://punkey.net/mini/howto-stereo.html should help with the head unit removal.


Due to BMW's obsession with not using standard parts and connections, you'll need a torx screw driver and a head unit adapter for your new HU.

[Gismo]

With regards to the air bag, don't turn the ignition on with the seat out/disconnected as this will bring up the air bag warning light, only solution is a trip to the dealer and a possible charge depending on dealer
This is what it looks like with all the seats out:-
Hi-Fi Install (http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Bonnie Scotland/55438.jpg)

[MartinSullivan]

I have had most of the trim out of the car at one stage or another - most of it comes out and goes back together fairly easily. You will probably find that you snap some of the plastic trim clips whilst you are opening up the trim on the side panels - dirt cheap to replace at the dealer though (will find the part number for you).

As said previously there are no keys for the radio - you need to take the centre console out. You will also need an adapter kit for the power and aerial and a facia adapter. Mikeythemini at NEWMINISTUFF (http://www.newministuff.com) will sell you a full kit - depending on whether you have a BOOST or WAVE setup (different plugs on the back). Mikey used to have some really good guides on his site - but its being revamped at the mo and they arent back on, if you email him though he will probably send them to you. One thing to be really careful with is the silver down tubes, they are very delicate and scratch if you even breath on them - and leave an unsightly white mark, so take your time.

A good guide for getting the seats out here (http://www.webbmotorsports.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9). As Bonnie said just dont start the ignition with the seat airbag wiring disconnected.

[MartinSullivan]

Just been to Mikeys site he has put a couple of the guides back up

Changing the stereo (http://www.newministuff.com/new/index.php?section=13&diyid=6)

Changing front speakers (http://www.newministuff.com/new/index.php?section=13&diyid=1)

[KINGHORN]

i no that the rear speakers,(the ones beside the rear bench) can be replaced with 6x9s, thats what im about to do as i dont like the look of a wooden shelf no matter how good its built

[sleepyrascal]

quote:Originally posted by KINGHORN

i no that the rear speakers,(the ones beside the rear bench) can be replaced with 6x9s, thats what im about to do as i dont like the look of a wooden shelf no matter how good its built


I had thought about simply replaceing the rear speakers. But The guy who is helping me do all the work kittied out his scooby with some carpeted mdf and I must admit, it does look really good! I'll have a wee think about that one.

[sleepyrascal]

quote:Originally posted by MartinSullivan

A good guide for getting the seats out here (http://www.webbmotorsports.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9). As Bonnie said just dont start the ignition with the seat airbag wiring disconnected.




So Martin. In that guide, they change the seats altogether. For simply taking out the original seat and then putting it back in, can the airbag connector just be unplugged then re-connected? (with the ignition off of course)

[sleepyrascal]

Cheers for all the info folks.:D:D I'll take some photos of the process (starting in a week or two) and i'll keep you posted on the progress. No doubt i'll be requiring some more info along the way. ;)

[MartinSullivan]

Yeah Sleepy, as long as you dont turn the key on with the wiring disconnected (thought I mentioned that).