Which Alcantara trim piece is easiest to take off?

///M1 · 01-25-2012, 12:15 PM

Have an extra set of A/B/C pillars and planning to do those as well as the sun visors in alcantara to match the rest of the interior. Problem is, my trusted upholsterer is not where the car is, so I need to show him a stock trim piece so he can match the alcantara as best as possible.

Which is the easiest trim piece to yank off? Shift boot perhaps?

Das Ein · 01-25-2012, 12:20 PM

Shift boot is pretty easy...just pull up on the knob, and the boot/knob will come off together. Also, the long dash piece is fairly easy too...especially if you have the interior trim removal tools.

Harlequin · 01-25-2012, 01:34 PM

Door handle trim for sure.

HALOTHANE · 01-25-2012, 02:58 PM

The shift boot and e-brake boot are suede leather, NOT alcantara. Just FYI. The rest of the trim is alcantara.

The door handles pop right off if you start at the bottom and pull straight out.

///M1 · 01-25-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1MVO

The shift boot and e-brake boot are suede leather, NOT alcantara. Just FYI. The rest of the trim is alcantara.

The door handles pop right off if you start at the bottom and pull straight out.

Thx for the clarification, I may pull out the door handles then.

Only downside is there isn't any orange stitching on them, and I wanted to see if he can match the stock Kyalami orange thread (for the sun visors and perhaps covering the NAV binnacle).

NC · 01-25-2012, 06:23 PM

Depending on the parts return policies of your nearest BMW dealer, you may want to purchase a representative part and send it to your upholstery guy for reference. Once your order is completed have him ship it back to you with your order and return the part. If they are using it for reference then the part should be as good as new once returned and you won't have to temporarily tear apart your car.

UnclePerkins · 01-25-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1MVO

The shift boot and e-brake boot are suede leather, NOT alcantara. Just FYI. The rest of the trim is alcantara.

The door handles pop right off if you start at the bottom and pull straight out.

You sure on that (shift and brake boots leather)? Source, please.

///M1 · 01-25-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NC

Depending on the parts return policies of your nearest BMW dealer, you may want to purchase a representative part and send it to your upholstery guy for reference. Once your order is completed have him ship it back to you with your order and return the part. If they are using it for reference then the part should be as good as new once returned and you won't have to temporarily tear apart your car.

That too is an option, I have to see what the prices are at realoem and how soon can the dealer get them. The upholsterer has a bunch of alcantara/suede fabrics in stock, so chances are he won't even hold on to it, it is just a matter of seeing on the spot what matches the stock one best.

mPlasticDesign · 01-25-2012, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnclePerkins

You sure on that (shift and brake boots leather)? Source, please.

Not only is it a different material but it is a slightly different color.

UnclePerkins · 01-25-2012, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

Not only is it a different material but it is a slightly different color.

Mine's the same color and feels exactly the same as the door and dash trim. Though I certainly may have missed it, everything I've read about the car indicates the shift and brake boots are, like the other trim pieces, Alcantara. If I'm wrong, I'd like to find out because cleaning Alcantara may be a bit different than cleaning suede.

HALOTHANE · 01-25-2012, 11:21 PM

During disassembly, you can see the shift boot is leather inside, i. e. suede outside. Alcantara has a cloth backing since it is synthetic. The boots lack this backing (often white).

Like Metak posted, the boots are also a different shade and texture of grey from the alcantara trim.

You could also take a lighter to it. Alcantara will burn, suede will smolder. Not recommended!

01-25-2012, 12:15 PM	#1
///M1 Brigadier General 275 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: Many Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of 7K RPM iTrader: (1) Garage List 2020 BMW M2 CS [0.00] 1994 Audi RS2 Avant [0.00] 2021 Audi RS6 Avant [0.00] 1988 BMW E30 M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW 1///M [0.00] 2017 BMW F80 M3 30 ... [0.00] 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3 [0.00] 2015 Porsche Macan ... [0.00] 1998 Porsche 993 C4S [0.00] 1994 Lancia Delta I ... [0.00] 2008 Audi RS4 [0.00]	Which Alcantara trim piece is easiest to take off? Have an extra set of A/B/C pillars and planning to do those as well as the sun visors in alcantara to match the rest of the interior. Problem is, my trusted upholsterer is not where the car is, so I need to show him a stock trim piece so he can match the alcantara as best as possible. Which is the easiest trim piece to yank off? Shift boot perhaps? __________________ *2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, all options; Renntech, Akrapovic, Forge, P3, RevoZ CF bits, many mods 1988 BMW E30 M3: Hennarot, S14, stock 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3: PtS, CXX, LWBS, PCCB 1998 Porsche 993 C4S: Zenith Blue, last aircooled widebody, Bilstein PSS10, Fister II + Fabspeed exhaust 2008 Audi B7 RS 4*: Sprint Blue, Audi Exclusive Euro Bucket Interior, Premium+Titanium, many mods
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01-25-2012, 12:20 PM	#2
Das Ein Captain 31 Rep 815 Posts Drives: '16 Audi TTS, '17 500 Abarth Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: The Colony, TX iTrader: (4)	Shift boot is pretty easy...just pull up on the knob, and the boot/knob will come off together. Also, the long dash piece is fairly easy too...especially if you have the interior trim removal tools.
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01-25-2012, 01:34 PM	#3
Harlequin Brigadier General 331 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: F32 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia BMW Club QLD Member iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 428i M-Sport [8.40] 2012 1M Coupé [9.25] 2011 135i M-Sport [9.14]	Door handle trim for sure. __________________
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01-25-2012, 02:58 PM	#4
HALOTHANE First Lieutenant 36 Rep 391 Posts Drives: INTERLAGOS ZCP Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Anywhere fast iTrader: (0) Garage List 1990 BMW L6 (retired) [0.00] 2010 BMW 135i M-Spo ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 1M (adopted) [0.00] 1990 MERCEDES 190E ... [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 [1.00]	The shift boot and e-brake boot are suede leather, NOT alcantara. Just FYI. The rest of the trim is alcantara. The door handles pop right off if you start at the bottom and pull straight out.
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01-25-2012, 06:23 PM	#6
NC Private 2 Rep 90 Posts Drives: BSM 1M Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Depending on the parts return policies of your nearest BMW dealer, you may want to purchase a representative part and send it to your upholstery guy for reference. Once your order is completed have him ship it back to you with your order and return the part. If they are using it for reference then the part should be as good as new once returned and you won't have to temporarily tear apart your car.
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01-25-2012, 11:21 PM	#11
HALOTHANE First Lieutenant 36 Rep 391 Posts Drives: INTERLAGOS ZCP Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Anywhere fast iTrader: (0) Garage List 1990 BMW L6 (retired) [0.00] 2010 BMW 135i M-Spo ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 1M (adopted) [0.00] 1990 MERCEDES 190E ... [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 [1.00]	During disassembly, you can see the shift boot is leather inside, i. e. suede outside. Alcantara has a cloth backing since it is synthetic. The boots lack this backing (often white). Like Metak posted, the boots are also a different shade and texture of grey from the alcantara trim. You could also take a lighter to it. Alcantara will burn, suede will smolder. Not recommended!
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