Wood removal

filipharvey wrote: The car would be for the Mrs and I'm trying to convince her that a 5er is better than an A6 but she hates the wood.

Hey Phil,

I currently have an E39 and previously had a 2.6l V6 A6SE to be perfectly honest, the A6 was a lovely car and went like a scolded cat, the only thing it couldn't pass was a petrol station. it was a very substancial feeling car.

My E39 is a 523iSE although its still a 2.5l straight six, there is no way it would catch the A6, if I'm honest, my old 525iSE wouldn't have cought it either which all sounds negative for the BMW but here's where it changes. The cabin in the E39 is far more luxurious than the rather "cold and clinical" A6. Everything works as it should and the comfort is second to none.

The drive in the BMW is far more "sorted" and you have a feeling of actually being part of the process whereas the A6 had a very detached feeling.

Both great cars, hope you make the right choice. If you do, you wanna sell a bit of the wood trim, I've got a damaged bit.  

Its all easy to change except for the Gear leaver soround. To do this you need to start at the back of the cenre console. Remove the plastic pocket or cup holders and then remove the air vents. They just pull out when the plastic pocket is removed.

You will then see 2 screws to remove. There are also 2 8mm bolts holding down the centre console lid. If you get down low and look into the area where you just removed the heating vents you will see them. Once the lid is out you can then get accsess to the first 2 screws of the gear lever soround.

Now prise out the hazard warning switch. It pulls out with the aid of a small flat screwdriver.  Under here you will find another screw.

Finally pull up the gater adound the gear lever and you will see 2 more screws. Remove these and it all should come up. Be carefull of the cables attached.

HTH.

Mick