E46 M3 CSL DOOR PANELS / CENTER CONSOLE COMPREHENSIVE TUTORIAL

[bmwfnatic]

Nice tutorial, but there is some room for improvement I think.

Original CSL doors use rivnuts for the brackets, this might seem insignificant, but this allows for the brackets to be installed on top of the vapor barrier, so you do not have to cut it, this is significant as the vapor barrier kind of needs to be 100% sealed to work. Door panels and water do not mix, causes mold.

And here is some pictures of original CSL door panels, how BMW made the holes, for documentation sake.

[Avedis]

Links were updated with Version 4 / 2025. If you had the links bookmarked and not the actual file saved, your link will no longer work. I recommend downloading the newest version (see the original post).

[duracellttu]

Awesome write up!! I've been looking for something like this for a while.

Just a suggestion, but it would be helpful to include the template files in your document. That way it's a single source for everything somebody needs.

[Iain_06]

Just found this! Absolute gem 💎

[Avedis]

This is amazing! Thank you so much for this. Do you have more pics of it all installed. I’ve been contemplating between gloss or matte when I do this.

Yup, pages 4,5,6 of my build thread have additional photos LINK

[Start]

This is amazing! Thank you so much for this. Do you have more pics of it all installed. I’ve been contemplating between gloss or matte when I do this.

[Avedis]

updated links with most revised version

[robgill]

awesome diy, well done!

[Obioban]

Unless your opposed, we’re going to rehost it on nam3f, so it’s not subject to the whims of file hosts.

[Avedis]

Thank you to everyone!

PSUEng Thank you for reading through it carefully enough to find gaps. I updated the file to fix a few errors I found, and to include your suggestions. The links have been updated and the first page of the file should now say V2 / 2024.

[PSUEng]

Excellent DIY, thank you!

If I may offer three points of input on Phase 1:

Step 13: Disconnection of the mirror switch is not mentioned. I found this tricky and my method is to compress the locking tabs on the underside of the switch, pop it "up" through the door handle and then disconnect it. Hard to photo, I know.

Step 29: For OBD port removal after sliding the blue locking tab, one must push from the connection side to release. I know, sounds basic, but the first time I did this, I was stumped.

Step 30: I guess I just suck, but I couldn't get the connection loose, so I popped out the light and just fed the entire light Assy up and out of the lower panel.

Again, awesome write up!

[lsbe46lg]

Wow. Awesome.

[Obioban]

Now THAT is a DIY. Nice!

[Avedis]

Wow, fantastic DIY writeup. Thank you! Curious, how much weight does this save pulling the rear speakers, door airbags, and heavy armrest out of the car?

Weighed those and some other things before I packed it up. Weights do not include hardware such as screws, bolts, etc. The weights are EACH, not total.

• Center Armrest 3lb 13.9oz
• HK rear parcel shelf speaker 1lb 14.3oz
• HK rear parcel shelf subwoofer 7lb 1.9oz
• HK rear door panel speaker 8.3oz
• HK front door panel speaker 1lb 13oz
• Front Door Airbag 1lb 9.7oz
• Font Door Armrest 1lb 13.5oz
• Front Door Panel Insert 2lb 14.9oz
• Rear Door Armrest 14oz
• Rear Door Panel Insert 1lb 8oz
• Center console with cupholder, storage tray, ashtray 3lb 6.1oz
• Rear parcel shelf latch-restraint hardware 1lb 1.6oz
• M Mobility Kit 5lb 11oz
• Rear Headrest 1lb 4.1oz

[Jickel180]

Wow, fantastic DIY writeup. Thank you! Curious, how much weight does this save pulling the rear speakers, door airbags, and heavy armrest out of the car?