BMW can't get it right I will; Door Panels

[spacecase]

So this whole door panel thing is baffling me.
BMW has a name that is synonymous with quality.
But yet I drive around in something that resembles a track car, no door panels.
I'm not spending 300 bucks on door panels that are just going to de-laminate
at some point. So Im thinking of going to the junk yard and finding
some door panels off some other car. Maybe even an American car, thats sad BMW.
Nothing other then the door handle is really important in terms of function.
I was wondering if anyone has had any luck retro fitting some other manufacturer's door panels to their E36. Yes some may call me crazy, and truth to that there is, but crazy is what crazy gets.

[zx7rhitch]

Thats just stupid. Im sorry but why not try to fix them 1st.

[328icod]

Fix them, custom suede ftw

[just4kinks]

BMW has a name that is synonymous with quality.

Not really... more like synonymous with "quirky & unreliable ultimate driving machines".

Is de-laminating a common problem? This is the first I've heard of it. IMO just buy BMW panels, they'll probably last longer than you own the car.

[Mad Cow]

Good luck retrofitting any door panels, it'll take forever and end up looking horrible. Just re-upholster and glue them together them like people have sale.

[strad]

Not really... more like synonymous with "quirky & unreliable ultimate driving machines".

Is de-laminating a common problem? This is the first I've heard of it. IMO just buy BMW panels, they'll probably last longer than you own the car.

Yes, at least with E36 and E34. I heard that E46 has the problem solved, but I don't have much evidence for that other than hearsay, since I don't own one and don't hang out on their board.

BMW door panels are extremely expensive. That's why people repair rather than replace.

[LockDots]

So you're going to look for a door panel from a completely different car, and spend way more time, money, and labor getting it to fit, and hopefully work all because you expect an almost 20 year old car that wasn't built for interior-longevity to have perfect panels still?

Have fun.

[WV Jim]

Our cars are a minimum of eleven years old (mine is 17), and yet we hear complaints about poor quality? It's an old car! Shit falls apart, no matter who makes it.

[H2oiamwater]

^ i know right....

[slocar]

I put a tarp where mine used to be. Resembles a military truck now.

[garf]

I don't know what you guys are complaining about, the door panels in both my e36's are mint.
:shifty

[MParallel]

...I'm not spending 300 bucks on door panels that are just going to de-laminate
at some point. ...

At some point? Well the vinyl ones maybe, but these are crap anyways.

Find yourself some leather ones and they will never delaminate.

[mchkc240]

I don't know what you guys are complaining about, the door panels in both my e36's are mint.
:shifty


Only the lucky people get mint door panels...

And I am one of them. :stickoutt

[R.R]

Honestly, I've thought about this as well. Everyone may say to just look around for some, but im sure that the people who are selling a nice pair are asking 150 a piece.

I say be different and do your research. Google some things and check out what the hot rod type guys do to improvise with there door panel issues.

[LockDots]

Honestly, I've thought about this as well. Everyone may say to just look around for some, but im sure that the people who are selling a nice pair are asking 150 a piece.

I say be different and do your research. Google some things and check out what the hot rod type guys do to improvise with there door panel issues.

My bottom clips keep popping out of my door, i'm about to take screws and screw the panel onto the door itself from the pocket access. I have pocket deletes anyway so you wouldn't see anything.

[R.R]

My bottom clips keep popping out of my door, i'm about to take screws and screw the panel onto the door itself from the pocket access. I have pocket deletes anyway so you wouldn't see anything.

Haha, If the op is cool with that who are we to judge. We didn't pay for his car.

[DuffeeM3]

i guess im one of the few lucky ones...my door panels are MINT...no delaminating falling apart or discoloring
the only problem i have is a few rattles behind them, but hell, that comes with age lol

good luck, its a horrible idea, just fix what u got instead of wasting time and money
but good luck either way, pics if you get something off another car to work
these doors are long and narrow...i think the only other car that has massive skinny doors like us is.......nobody?

[LockDots]

i think the only other car that has massive skinny doors like us is.......nobody?

Hummer or Tahoe doors will work

[fun2drive]

Intense heat from the south will not delaminate leather but it will split leather if not cared for. I had to replace the ones that split but I kept the old ones to redo eventually again in leather. About the only way I can see to attach the leather once replaced is to use a vacuum bagging technique which will pull the leather tight to the panel and allow to cure.

My other M3 has perfect panels but again it was never exposed to intense heat and sun.
I think that plays a large part in the failure of the bond for the vinyl door panels...

[LockDots]

By the way, if anyone is wondering. The middle panel in our doors, and pockets, can be glued back on to the door if sanded down. Liquid Nails is AMAZING for these parts since they don't flex or at least shoulding. Good also for holding down the plastic rail at the top and the front and rear "clip holders"

[Messiah]

Click here (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5335818596&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-53200-19255-0%2F1%3Fcampid%3D5335818596%26amp%3Btoolid%3D10001 %26amp%3Bmpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%25 2Febaymotors%252FE36-BMW-DOOR-PANELS-4DR-318-325-328_W0QQitemZ170460661999QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors _Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories%253Fhash%253Ditem27b0 3f48ef), and quit your bitchin' :stickoutt

For those, that don't click "here", they are 4 mint condition leather door panels. Ebay is your best friend.

[DuffeeM3]

Hummer or Tahoe doors will work

My family has had both
I'm about 110% sure they won't lol
Too big, right???


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[coconutmnky]

Click here (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5335818596&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-53200-19255-0%2F1%3Fcampid%3D5335818596%26amp%3Btoolid%3D10001 %26amp%3Bmpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com% 252Frover%252F1%252F711-53200-19255-0%252F1%253Fcampid%253D5335818596%2526amp%253Btool id%253D10001%2526amp%253Bmpre%253Dhttp%25253A%2525 2F%25252Fcgi.ebay.com%25252Febaymotors%25252FE36-BMW-DOOR-PANELS-4DR-318-325-328_W0QQitemZ170460661999QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors _Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories%25253Fhash%25253Ditem 27b03f48ef), and quit your bitchin' :stickoutt

For those, that don't click "here", they are 4 mint condition leather door panels. Ebay is your best friend.

Bad link is bad.

[Messiah]

Bad link is bad.

Hmm.. well I'll post a couple then..

http://************/yc4hr59 < - Black Leather door panels (Coupe)

http://************/yeq7uq3 <- Black Leather door panels (All of them Lux Edition)

There were other colors on there earlier.. Just pointing out that you don't always have to buy something new for it to be worth getting. Actually considering bidding on the Lux panels even though my interior is Dove Grey ;). Anyone know how that would look?

[heifetz17]

Everyone who complains about this door panel problem has obviously not driven any of these other vehicles from the mid to late '90s:

*Caravan/Town & Country
*Volvo
*Mazda
*Ford
*Etc.

The list goes on. BMW is far the only vehicle that has delaminating door panels. :rolleyes

[kapitaljin]

i guess im one of the few lucky ones...my door panels are MINT...no delaminating falling apart or discoloring
the only problem i have is a few rattles behind them, but hell, that comes with age lol


I am getting my e36 tomorrow and the car has no issues with the door panel either. However the previous e36 I had is a different story.


IMO, cheaper to buy the tabs and fix the damn thing.... It's like saying, you are going to have to replace the bushing anyways... oh wait, the engine doesnt last forever for some people... ah you might as well not have a car because eventually all else will fail. :rolleyes

[mzender]

Everyone who complains about this door panel problem has obviously not driven any of these other vehicles from the mid to late '90s:

*Caravan/Town & Country
*Volvo
*Mazda
*Ford
*Etc.

The list goes on. BMW is far the only vehicle that has delaminating door panels. :rolleyes
^Exactly, my e36 door panels aren't exactly original quality, but they are way batter than any GM car I've owned in the past and better than any Ford or Dodge's I've seen on friends vehicles. Even pics of peoples e36's on here that are falling apart are aren't as bad as they seem to think they are. It would take alot less effort, time, and money to just fix your old door panels the right way than to try and retrofit someting else..

[Wobblysauce]

mine is 18 years and a few months old and it is perfect interior except the drivers floor carpet but the floor stock mat covers it .. but that's just after year of use

[DuffeeM3]

Everyone who complains about this door panel problem has obviously not driven any of these other vehicles from the mid to late '90s:

*Caravan/Town & Country
*Volvo
*Mazda
*Ford
*Etc.

The list goes on. BMW is far the only vehicle that has delaminating door panels. :rolleyes

+1
Well spoke lol

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[spacecase]

But Im super frustrated. I'v got one driver panel and need a passenger, but no covering on it, thats how I got the car. I think you all have some good ideas, I'm just going to buy a crappy passenger side panel and take the two to some one to reupholster. One of the fabric stores around here sells nice fake leather (oxymoron), in a grey. I make a guitar amp recently and covered it in a dark red, looks nice. How the heck does a set of M3 panels sell for 100 bucks, I must be the worst ebayer out there I never find stuff.
Or I could just take the doors off completely for the summer, yellin at all the women "hey bitches."

[randomy]

That's how you got the car!? That's your fault ofr buying in that condition then. Why don't you just op over to the for-sale section where people are selling door panels and complete interiors often.

[Brent 930]

The door panels suck. No sense in buying another set because the same thing will happen.

JB or Gorilla glue the hell out of them. I used up 5 packets of JB weld on mine.

If that doesn't work use screws, bolts, and fender washers. I almost did that instead.

Done

[spacecase]

Yes and I was at the factory when it was built and had one too many hefeweizen's and slacked on the door panel job. I'm in Vermont theres nothing here. Oddly enough I bought my old E30 in Longmont. Its not like the west here, not a lot to choose from.
Also if the door panels didnt de-lam the PO wouldn't have taking them off. Its just like the head liner, that was also my fault. I was at October fest try'n to hook up with this German hotty and spaced on the headliner glue for the entire production year of 92'.

[randomy]

You're complaining about something that was occuring and evident before you even bought it. If it was so foul to you, you should have looked for one with a complete and proper interior.

It's like buying a dog with 3 legs, then going home and jumping online and telling people how fucken shitty Labradors are because their legs fall off.

[LockDots]

You're complaining about something that was occuring and evident before you even bought it. If it was so foul to you, you should have looked for one with a complete and proper interior.

It's like buying a dog with 3 legs, then going home and jumping online and telling people how fucken shitty Labradors are because their legs fall off.

OMG, i fucking lost it when I read the last part LMAO.

[spacecase]

I think thats the thing I hate most about labradors, and of course like every one else you dump them off at the pound because they have three legs. randomy your assertion is rather flawed, Im not the only one with this problem. Also yes its not like I'm not expecting to fix things. These failed on many models so many people need them and thats what makes them expensive, which is some what in opposition to supply and demand. I have owned 8 cars in my life with well over 200,000 miles and not a single one had these problems. I don't have a trust found like you, thats also my fault. I liked what some just said in this thread, its the ultimate driving machine with quirks and &*&Y^* can't remember don't care anymore.

[DuffeeM3]

OMG, i fucking lost it when I read the last part LMAO.

Keep the profanity out of the threads holmes...ull get banned for that stuff


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[LockDots]

Keep the profanity out of the threads holmes...ull get banned for that stuff


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hang around for a bit, you'll see how much it's actually used here lol.

[DuffeeM3]

hang around for a bit, you'll see how much it's actually used here lol.

I did it once...look at my infractions lol I said the f word ONE time EVER and got banned for 10 days
I guess it just depends on who you do it in front of?


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[LockDots]

I did it once...look at my infractions lol I said the f word ONE time EVER and got banned for 10 days
I guess it just depends on who you do it in front of?


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Depends on the conversation itself really. You can curse as much as you want (especially in OT), but when you do it in a demeaning way or as an attack towards someone/something, that's different.

[Mad Cow]

I did it once...look at my infractions lol I said the f word ONE time EVER and got banned for 10 days
I guess it just depends on who you do it in front of?


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There's porn in the OT forum, I don't think people are gonna care about a little swearing.:stickoutt

[328icod]

Depends on the conversation itself really. You can curse as much as you want (especially in OT), but when you do it in a demeaning way or as an attack towards someone/something, that's different.


Exactly.

[bikertrash2001]

I think the coupes and verts have the biggest problem because of the long doors. Yes, it does seem to happen a lot. Beige has to be the hardest one to find too. I think if you threw a beige door panel out in a Mad Max Thunderdome thing and people would fight to death for it. I've looked into vacuum bagging and would do it if I could find the right color and texture of material.

$150 for a used panel? I do it in a heartbeat if the insert looked good!!!

[war085]

i guess im one of the few lucky ones...my door panels are MINT...no delaminating falling apart or discoloring
the only problem i have is a few rattles behind them, but hell, that comes with age lol

good luck, its a horrible idea, just fix what u got instead of wasting time and money
but good luck either way, pics if you get something off another car to work
these doors are long and narrow...i think the only other car that has massive skinny doors like us is.......nobody?

Gorilla Glue is the solution!
Nice sig, what's those air ducts in your bumper ?!

[limit]

fix them

[spacecase]

Bikeetrash2001 you make me laugh. Call me crazy but it seems to be an adhesive problem, headliner also, and rear. Gorilla Glue is the shiznit, I like how it bubbles and expands, I used that for my guitar amp and the fake leather, worked pretty well maybe apply same technique to my front door panels. Yup I think the best thing to do is just to strip the old ones and have them reupholstered, with the proper glue. Non of the heat activated crap.
I was thinking you could sand (vac bag great also) in the recesses to get the contour right.
Thanks every one.

[Dantesboyz]

i wonder how many 17 year old cars without plastic interior panels even look worth a shit

[catalyst.]

i glued mine back together with epoxy...