Vendor Ruined My Dash - Recover or Replace?

[Andratch]

Hi folks,

I had a vendor come out to remove a bit of blue residue from my dashboard, and he somehow ended up creating a 4" round hardened bubble right above the center vents that is basically beyond repair.

As far as I can tell, I have two options:

1) Have an upholstery shop re-cover the top section of the dash - above the trim line - in actual leather (which the vendor has agreed to pay for)
2) Replace the whole dashboard with new, OEM (since it's one piece...this would likely be an insurance claim)

I cannot decide between the two, and need input.

A black leather upper dash could be interesting - like the E39 M5 has - but then it's no longer OEM. Given that it's otherwise a perfect, low-mileage competition package, I'm concerned that it could impact the value if I ever decide to sell the car.

A whole new dash would be costly (hence insurance claim), because the only ones still available new are in Germany and are all black. So, I'd either have to find a clean, low mileage dove/black one and have it shipped to me, or Import one from the factory, have the bottom half painted dove to match mine, and then have it installed. But, it would be OEM and acceptable to folks looking for originality.

What do y'all think?

[EthanolTurbo]

I would just redo it in leather. It is a shame that E46 M3s didn't come with extended leather dashes and would look premium. Way less hassle than trying to find another mint dash (which isn't impossible but the size of the item makes it annoying to ship etc.)

Congrats on your free leather dash!

[kaiv]

I would pick up a nice used dash and replace it. They are the same across all E46 models so not hard to find. You can find them for ~$100 in good shape.

[Andratch]

I would just redo it in leather. It is a shame that E46 M3s didn't come with extended leather dashes and would look premium. Way less hassle than trying to find another mint dash (which isn't impossible but the size of the item makes it annoying to ship etc.)

Congrats on your free leather dash!

What about the passenger airbag? One of my biggest concerns about wrapping the dash is that they would also have to wrap the airbag cover to match, and wrapping the airbag cover could impact how the airbag deploys.

[EthanolTurbo]

What about the passenger airbag? One of my biggest concerns about wrapping the dash is that they would also have to wrap the airbag cover to match, and wrapping the airbag cover could impact how the airbag deploys.

An airbag deploys with enough force to permanently disfigure you and break your bones into pretzels if your limbs are anywhere near it when it goes off, I doubt a small amount of leather would change that. See: E39 M5 extended leather dash.

Unless you mean that when it's wrapped it will cover it, but I would wrap the airbag cover separately.

[maupineda]

Restraints engineer here, just do not think you can wrap the IP and assume the AB will deploy as intended, it will more than likely come out, but you will be changing its timing, positioning, and trajectory without properly scoring the leather backing.

[Slideways]

Like Kaiv posted, find an excellent condition used one. Leather wrapped dash just reminds me of all the Ferrari wrapped dashes that would eventually shrink and look terrible. The E46 textured dash still looks great to this day, IMO.

[9kracing]

What's "low mileage"?

This will obviously effect resale, I wouldn't settle for anything less than perfect.

As Kaiv posted, a used dash shouldn't be excessive... although install certainly can't be cheap.

If it was me, I'd have the vendor pay to replace it, albeit not necessarily with a NEW dash.

[bigjae46]

I had a nice black dashboard. I traded with someone who had a tan dash plus cash. It was a win for me since I made some money to pay for the engine rebuild AND it was a track car so I just rattle canned it black.

Maybe try and find a track car guy and trade.

Where are you located? I'd be willing to buy your old dash.

[Andratch]

Update -

I have decided to go with a replacement dash. The airbag risk, potential for imperfect stitching and 'shrinkage' over time, and the deviation from OEM just aren't worth it. Thank y'all for the input!!

I had a nice black dashboard. I traded with someone who had a tan dash plus cash. It was a win for me since I made some money to pay for the engine rebuild AND it was a track car so I just rattle canned it black.

Maybe try and find a track car guy and trade.

Where are you located? I'd be willing to buy your old dash.

I'm in the heights. Happy to sell you the old dash when it's out!

[Andratch]

I had a nice black dashboard. I traded with someone who had a tan dash plus cash. It was a win for me since I made some money to pay for the engine rebuild AND it was a track car so I just rattle canned it black.

Maybe try and find a track car guy and trade.

Where are you located? I'd be willing to buy your old dash.

Hey the dashboard is coming out tomorrow. Should be available this weekend if you'd like to pick it up.