Pennock's Fiero Forum
  General Fiero Chat
  BMW Dash in a Fiero

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Email This Page to Someone! | Printable Version


next newest topic | next oldest topic
BMW Dash in a Fiero by Chris Hodson
Started on: 11-10-2015 04:21 PM
Replies: 25 (1413 views)
Last post by: Pancake on 02-29-2016 09:01 PM
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post11-10-2015 04:21 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I found this in the trash...
This images is larger than 153600 bytes. Click to view.

Then stuck it in to see what it looks like.


I think there is a good possibility I can make this fit.

Kinda neat. I thought id share it with you all.
IP: Logged
PFF
System Bot
jscott1
Member
Posts: 21676
From: Houston, TX , USA
Registered: Dec 2001


Feedback score:    (15)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 415
Rate this member

Report this Post11-10-2015 08:41 PM Click Here to See the Profile for jscott1Send a Private Message to jscott1Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Looks like a good fit. You can use it as a shell for a one-off custom dash.
IP: Logged
Napoleon_Tanerite
Member
Posts: 683
From: Columbus, MS
Registered: Sep 2015


Feedback score:    (10)
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post11-10-2015 08:56 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Napoleon_TaneriteSend a Private Message to Napoleon_TaneriteEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Do you have the rest of it? The trim, airbag covers, etc? If not that project will be a BEAR. I don't want to discourage you, as I think a finished product could look amazing, but I've looked into dash swaps and all roads lead back to Amida unless you want to spend a LOT more money than you thought and do a LOT LOT LOT more work than you thought.

Some considerations--
1. Will it fit? The side to side between the interior door panels is the easy part. It needs to be the right depth from the windshield to the front of the dash. More complicated than that-- the internal structure of the dash and/or the interior structure of the car must be modified to marry them up. This project could become a one way street. If you modify the Fiero internal structure enough you become COMMITTED to the new dash, and you MUST finish the project, as you will never be able to properly fit a stock Fiero dash without major work and potential welding.

2. Will it match? A new dash means you will need to match it up to the rest of the car. If you're considering upgrading the interior appearance of your car, chance are you want the finished product to look good. It's amazing how difficult it is to get dissimilar colors and textures to match, and how glaring minor differences in that match could be. If your new dash is wrapped in real leather there is no way to get the OE vinyl pieces to match in texture. This means you will need to get creative in blending them, or use some sort of contrasting color that fits with the look of the car. Even a seemingly universal color like "black" may not match, and those close but no cigar color differences are often worse looking than a different but a complimentary color. The reason I asked about the airbag cover and trim is these MUST MUST MUST match the rest of the dash. You may be able to hide a kick panel or trim piece, but when the dash doesn't match it will immediately grab the attention of whomever is observing your car. Assuming this dash was pulled out of a junked car, that means that the color is likely faded. If you do not have the remaining pieces that have experienced the same life as the rest of the dash it will be impossible to match the fade.

I wish you the best of luck, but I strongly encourage you do to your homework.
IP: Logged
Khw
Member
Posts: 11139
From: South Weber, UT. U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2008


Feedback score: (1)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 134
Rate this member

Report this Post11-10-2015 09:44 PM Click Here to See the Profile for KhwSend a Private Message to KhwEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
The gauge cluster looks a bit to high. I imagine in the BMW the dash is rotated down more, that or it's from a BMW SUV? Other than that it does look like a decent fit. If you decide to run with it make sure to post up a build progress thread. I'd love to see how it looks when done.
IP: Logged
dobey
Member
Posts: 11572
From:
Registered: Sep 2001


Feedback score: N/A
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 371
User Banned

Report this Post11-10-2015 10:28 PM Click Here to See the Profile for dobeySend a Private Message to dobeyEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Khw:

The gauge cluster looks a bit to high. I imagine in the BMW the dash is rotated down more, that or it's from a BMW SUV? Other than that it does look like a decent fit. If you decide to run with it make sure to post up a build progress thread. I'd love to see how it looks when done.


The Fiero dash is still installed in that pic, and the BMW dash is sitting on top of it. :P
IP: Logged
Khw
Member
Posts: 11139
From: South Weber, UT. U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2008


Feedback score: (1)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 134
Rate this member

Report this Post11-11-2015 01:06 AM Click Here to See the Profile for KhwSend a Private Message to KhwEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by dobey:


The Fiero dash is still installed in that pic, and the BMW dash is sitting on top of it. :P


LOL! I was wondering why the steering wheel was so low.
IP: Logged
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post11-11-2015 01:08 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I have access to about ten of these along with more trim and interior parts I could ever need. I'd imagine I would use a newer BMW center console. I bet I could get an f82 center console if I ask nice. Texture is similar to doors. I can match color no problem. The dash in the pic would be for mock up. The dash I would use is already modified for new ducts and all that. My carpet is spankin new, so is my headliner. The doors could use work. I'm thinking the only issue would be the cluster like mentioned. At least fitting the stock one in the tiny hole might be an issue.
IP: Logged
Australian
Member
Posts: 4701
From: Sydney Australia
Registered: Sep 2004


Feedback score: (3)
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post11-11-2015 03:07 AM Click Here to See the Profile for AustralianClick Here to visit Australian's HomePageSend a Private Message to AustralianEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
You are going to need to buy a whole wrecked BMW to make this work as mentioned this isn't easy. Aussies do to LHD to RHD conversions so been up the route also.
just to get everything you need in postage or fuel alone would make you sick with the costs. Loads of work and loads of parts required even if it does fit.

[This message has been edited by Australian (edited 11-11-2015).]

IP: Logged
TXGOOD
Member
Posts: 5410
From: Austin, Texas
Registered: Feb 2006


Feedback score:    (58)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 87
Rate this member

Report this Post11-11-2015 08:19 AM Click Here to See the Profile for TXGOODClick Here to visit TXGOOD's HomePageSend a Private Message to TXGOODEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
While I will agree with the statements of the gauges and electronics being hard to adapt to the Fiero, but the getting it to fit shouldn`t be too hard.
Hell, I made a dash out of cardboard, fiberglassed over, and I didn`t have to make any major changes to the structure of the Fiero.
I ordered a couple of specialty items but used mostly items from Home Depot to make parts I needed.
IP: Logged
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post11-11-2015 10:01 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Txgood, is right. Y'all are thinking to hard lol. So the company I work for tears stock vehicles apart down to the metal, and then builds race cars out of them. Anything that slows the car down "like an interior" gets thrown into a box and stored till the end of time. Parts aren't the issue if I ask nice my car doesn't have a whole lot of electronics left on it. I'll probably end up using toggles for everything on a carbon fiber panel anyways. I got an idea for the cluster. There's an r8 at work with an interesting setup that I got the idea from. I'll see if I can take a photo. Remember everyone, its just nuts, bolts, and wires
IP: Logged
dobey
Member
Posts: 11572
From:
Registered: Sep 2001


Feedback score: N/A
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 371
User Banned

Report this Post11-11-2015 10:16 AM Click Here to See the Profile for dobeySend a Private Message to dobeyEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
For some reason I remember seeing a BMW dash swap into a Fiero on here, years ago, but I can't seem to find any pictures now.
IP: Logged
PFF
System Bot
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post11-11-2015 01:04 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
It would be neat to see.
IP: Logged
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post11-11-2015 01:12 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

Chris Hodson

3066 posts
Member since Aug 2006
This would be easy enough. I could make a beauty panel around or behind whatever i do.
IP: Logged
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post11-14-2015 08:56 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I think I'll dive into this today. It looks like it will slide right in. I tried finding this dash swap, actually any BMW dash swap and found only one closed thread here asking if something was BMW. The pictures pictures on the thread were broken so I have no idea if it's what I'm up to. If anyone asks... I'm the first to put a BMW e46 dash in a longitudinal v8 swapped fiero
IP: Logged
fireboss
Member
Posts: 2248
From: hueytown ,alabama
Registered: Apr 2011


Feedback score:    (20)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 58
Rate this member

Report this Post11-15-2015 01:25 AM Click Here to See the Profile for firebossSend a Private Message to firebossEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Chris keep updating us.
I think it would be a cool project....
IP: Logged
jscott1
Member
Posts: 21676
From: Houston, TX , USA
Registered: Dec 2001


Feedback score:    (15)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 415
Rate this member

Report this Post11-16-2015 01:59 AM Click Here to See the Profile for jscott1Send a Private Message to jscott1Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Chris Hodson:

Txgood, is right. Y'all are thinking to hard lol. So the company I work for tears stock vehicles apart down to the metal, and then builds race cars out of them. Anything that slows the car down "like an interior" gets thrown into a box and stored till the end of time. Parts aren't the issue if I ask nice my car doesn't have a whole lot of electronics left on it. I'll probably end up using toggles for everything on a carbon fiber panel anyways. I got an idea for the cluster. There's an r8 at work with an interesting setup that I got the idea from. I'll see if I can take a photo. Remember everyone, its just nuts, bolts, and wires


I agree it's not that hard. When I did my Firebird dash in 2002, I was originally going to use the firebird dash as the basis for a custom dash, but it fit so well I decided to just go for it. I adapted the firebird gauges because they were so similar, but I could have easily used the Fiero or custom gauges. No need to adapt all the electronics unless you just want to.
IP: Logged
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post11-18-2015 08:35 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
IM still not finding picture of this being done before. Maybe someone can lend me a hand.
IP: Logged
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post11-19-2015 10:16 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I have a good condition dash with all the trim waiting for me once I figure out exact cuts. This is a rough mock up and holy crap... The width is nearly exact to that of the Fiero dash. I made an outline of the Fiero dash on cardboard and transfered it to the e46 dash. My first cut wasn't enough. It stuck out to much. The second cut it what you see in the photo below. Let it be known from here on out..... I may of been the first to ever do this I'll mess with it some more later on. Check it out.

[This message has been edited by Chris Hodson (edited 11-19-2015).]

IP: Logged
fireboss
Member
Posts: 2248
From: hueytown ,alabama
Registered: Apr 2011


Feedback score:    (20)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 58
Rate this member

Report this Post11-20-2015 01:45 AM Click Here to See the Profile for firebossSend a Private Message to firebossEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Oh yeah!!

IP: Logged
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post11-23-2015 10:07 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
wAY TO cold out to be working on this! weiugbsdiv sd griushb cc mxvsdj
IP: Logged
fireboss
Member
Posts: 2248
From: hueytown ,alabama
Registered: Apr 2011


Feedback score:    (20)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 58
Rate this member

Report this Post11-23-2015 10:18 AM Click Here to See the Profile for firebossSend a Private Message to firebossEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Are you OK?
IP: Logged
PFF
System Bot
Amys Driver
Member
Posts: 28
From:
Registered: Dec 2015


Feedback score: N/A
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post12-07-2015 07:48 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Amys DriverSend a Private Message to Amys DriverEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Please keep us posted. I am very interested. I just bought a 1986 off a guy and he gave me a BMW dash he had planned to swap in. I was just goign to get rid of the dash, but you have made me interested in possibly trying to do it.
IP: Logged
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post12-08-2015 04:05 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Its been so cold in the garage. My motivation just isn't there lol. Im confident it will work out fine. If you can cut the dash back to fit where the glass meets...your golden. A few simple brackets and your in.
IP: Logged
Chris Hodson
Member
Posts: 3066
From: Carpentersville
Registered: Aug 2006


Feedback score:    (6)
Leave feedback





Total ratings: 54
Rate this member

Report this Post02-25-2016 01:11 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Chris HodsonSend a Private Message to Chris HodsonEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
It's almost getting warm enough to finish this
IP: Logged
FastOwen2XLL
Member
Posts: 82
From: Marysville, Ohio USA
Registered: Jul 2015


Feedback score: (1)
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post02-27-2016 11:15 AM Click Here to See the Profile for FastOwen2XLLSend a Private Message to FastOwen2XLLEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Watching this with much more than just casual interest. Love my '03 325i daily driver. Always liked the dash appearance, layout and materials. While i considered the seats in a Fiero, the dash never crossed my mind.

There are some pretty slick E46 Navi radios that are custom made for that dash. I would suspect trying to adapt any other of the BMW electricals would be an exercise in futility and frustration!

Good luck!
IP: Logged
Pancake
Member
Posts: 71
From: Portland, OR
Registered: Jan 2016


Feedback score: N/A
Leave feedback

Rate this member

Report this Post02-29-2016 09:01 PM Click Here to See the Profile for PancakeSend a Private Message to PancakeEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
How did I miss this for so long?! A generation earlier, but I'm actually working with a late model E34 dash myself! This is an early shot, I stopped working on the car just after initial fit because of illness. I had an E34 parts car available and the E34 and Fiero are very similar interior widths

[This message has been edited by Pancake (edited 02-29-2016).]

IP: Logged

next newest topic | next oldest topic

All times are ET (US)

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Back To Main Page

Advertizing on PFF | Fiero Parts Vendors
PFF Merchandise | Fiero Gallery | Ogre's Cave
Real-Time Chat | Fiero Related Auctions on eBay



Copyright (c) 1999, C. Pennock