LCI central trim / vent removal

Dec540 · 07-13-2018, 04:03 AM

Hi all,

Please forgive me if I've posted this in the wrong location..

Has anyone come across a thread or video that shows how to remove the central trim / air conditioning vents on an LCI?

I have a vent mounted phone holder with charging built in and want to run a mini USB behind the dash, then tap off some power (with an in line 12v to 5v adaptor).

I've seen threads for the Pre-LCI, but the LCI vent removal looks different.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.

BourneJack12 · 07-13-2018, 05:51 AM

Great one

Dec540 · 07-15-2018, 05:54 AM

Update: the whole central piece (trim + vent) is removed at once. A couple of trim removal tools under the trim followed by a lot of wiggling and pulling does the trick.

overcoil · 07-24-2018, 08:03 AM

Yep, the 3”x 10” central vent / emergency flasher / door lock panel comes off as one piece. Use two trim tools, one on each side so you don’t torque the plastic panel too much and snap a metal tab.

The radio/hvac panel comes off separately, once the vent panel described above is removed, the radio/hvac panel is taken off by removing two TorX screws on top and then use fingers or trim tool to release bottom.

The cd disc player is also held in with two TorX screws.

All these units have wiring attached so be careful.

Heniek77 · 01-28-2019, 11:54 AM

Anyone record a video or has any kind of "picture" manual so far?
LCI version is a bit different comparing to previous one which can be found easly on internet.

Clear_Blue22 · 02-22-2019, 01:10 AM

Came across your post googling how to do this myself. I felt pretty confident in it having just removed a lot of trim in my wife's Mazda. I carefully pulled top and bottom with trim tools from the left edge by the steering to the right. Make sure not to pry with the trim itself pulling at the left side, because it will cause the right side to dig into the dash harder. I slid the trim tools down the length of it pulling straight out as I went. It takes a bit of force, just make sure you are pulling straight out

07-13-2018, 04:03 AM	#1
Dec540 Captain 136 Rep 677 Posts Drives: M2 LCI Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia iTrader: (0)	LCI central trim / vent removal Hi all, Please forgive me if I've posted this in the wrong location.. Has anyone come across a thread or video that shows how to remove the central trim / air conditioning vents on an LCI? I have a vent mounted phone holder with charging built in and want to run a mini USB behind the dash, then tap off some power (with an in line 12v to 5v adaptor). I've seen threads for the Pre-LCI, but the LCI vent removal looks different. Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.
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07-13-2018, 05:51 AM	#2
BourneJack12 Banned 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Great one
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07-15-2018, 05:54 AM	#3
Dec540 Captain 136 Rep 677 Posts Drives: M2 LCI Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia iTrader: (0)	Update: the whole central piece (trim + vent) is removed at once. A couple of trim removal tools under the trim followed by a lot of wiggling and pulling does the trick.
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07-24-2018, 08:03 AM	#4
overcoil Major General 3074 Rep 5,577 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Yep, the 3”x 10” central vent / emergency flasher / door lock panel comes off as one piece. Use two trim tools, one on each side so you don’t torque the plastic panel too much and snap a metal tab. The radio/hvac panel comes off separately, once the vent panel described above is removed, the radio/hvac panel is taken off by removing two TorX screws on top and then use fingers or trim tool to release bottom. The cd disc player is also held in with two TorX screws. All these units have wiring attached so be careful.
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01-28-2019, 11:54 AM	#5
Heniek77 New Member 5 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 2 Serie 220i; BMW iX1 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Gdynia iTrader: (0)	Anyone record a video or has any kind of "picture" manual so far? LCI version is a bit different comparing to previous one which can be found easly on internet.
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02-22-2019, 01:10 AM	#6
Clear_Blue22 Second Lieutenant 124 Rep 277 Posts Drives: 2018 230i MSport Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 230i [0.00]	Came across your post googling how to do this myself. I felt pretty confident in it having just removed a lot of trim in my wife's Mazda. I carefully pulled top and bottom with trim tools from the left edge by the steering to the right. Make sure not to pry with the trim itself pulling at the left side, because it will cause the right side to dig into the dash harder. I slid the trim tools down the length of it pulling straight out as I went. It takes a bit of force, just make sure you are pulling straight out Attached Images
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