I am trying to see other peoples setups such as seats, carpet, and center console. I don't know what I should do but maybe some 2002 recaros just trying to get a feel for different ideas. I had to remove the carpet because of a rusty floor so the new project is the interior.
I'd say as long as your seats match color and the door panels match the seats you'll be good. Forget about carpet color. Just get a black one. Maybe blue cause black and blue can be a bit gross together lol.
I have some pictures of my all black interior with the original back seat. They did the Recaros in perforated vinyl so it matches. Surprisingly doesn't glue your back to the seat either.
what about head units? do you care for them at all the center console is ugly!!
I use the stock am/fm cassette player because I have the non-ac. I like the look and I can just use the cassette to mp3 thing and it does what I need it to. I see no problem with putting and aftermarket in. Just keep the old one.
^ real owner of my cars
not ugly at all. just correct for it's time. i run a cheap pyle media player that can play sd and usb. sounds ok but not for audiophiles. it weights about 8 ounces/is 5 inches deep and slides right that ugly old console.
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very nice! clean and center console to boot!
Thanks!
^ real owner of my cars
Hi GSU,
I have the same color interior in cloth, however the front seats are too stiff and no longer a cushiony. Can you tell me what are your front seats? are they bolt on replacement? did you have it upholstered or they came that color? how can I get a hold of these type of seats, any info would be great help.
tx
jason
jason, those are stock e21 recaros. aardark racing in ca will recover but be warned, not cheap to do. color is pacifica blue. good luck.
I'll recommend some popular enhancements and upgrades to fine tune your interior.
Re-flock the interior of your worn glovebox and make it look like new. It's really pretty easy and not very expensive.
http://www.flockit.com/
While you're in there, replace the stock e21 plastic retaining straps with a pair of stronger webbing straps from the e30 (Part# 51161904471).
If you can locate one of the rechargeable flashlights (NLA from BMW), that would finish out the glovebox nicely. The socket and wiring should already be there.
If your driver's side armrest/door pull is loose or looking ragged (and most of them are), you can replace it with a passenger's armrest from a right-hand drive car (51411880655 for black). Obviously, it is the mirror image of the passenger's armrest in left-hand drive cars and the bolt holes are already in the driver's door waiting to be used. You'll also need at least one new "expanding nut" (51411801262) which are the plastic anchors that fit into cavities in the door metal behind the vinyl covered door card. The new armrest will need a "chrome" plastic cover (51411883880) to conceal the mounting screw that holds the top leg of the armrest.
If you look around and are patient, these Kamei rear parcel shelf headrest/speaker units come up on eBay every once in a while. The original vinyl will probably be shot and the fiberglass will probably need to be reinforced, but rebuilding it and recovering it with new vinyl will make it like new again. They are intended to house 6"x9" speakers, but I left mine without.
I also removed the retractable shoulder belts and located a used lap belt for the back seat. Nobody ever sits back there and it reduces some of the clutter.
You can easily pull out the seatbelt warning light on the dash and replace it with the simple blank panel intended for euro market e21s (64221366425). It's a simple plug and play part that costs less than five dollars from BMW.
I agree with a lot of other people here that a simple period correct AM/FM Cassette stereo looks more at home in an e21 and I'd rather listen to the car than a overpowering sound system.
It's not too hard to build a platform under the carpet for a dead pedal and there are lots of options for the dead pedal itself.
The e28 center armrest and e-brake enclosure is another popular upgrade that gives the interior a more finished look.
Has anyone tried to fit a 92-95 Honda civic armrest to the e21. I am ordering one for my 2002 and see how it works. Just eyeballing it, I think it will fit.
Following is a link to the bmw2002 discussion:
https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/to...-easy-install/
I'm going to have to spend some money!
Last edited by SilverPuddle; 04-30-2017 at 11:07 AM.
This thread really makes me feel sad about my E21's interior...
But damn you fellows have some nice cars!
Imolarot2, are those E21 RECAROs or from another car? They look bigger, like E24 RECAROs.
'81 E21 320i / '90 E30 325i / '̶9̶2̶ ̶E̶3̶4̶ ̶5̶2̶5̶i̶t (sold) / '15 Toyota XW30 / '̶̶8̶0̶ ̶E̶2̶1̶ ̶3̶2̶0̶i̶A̶ (sold)
aardvark provided the cover when i had the fronts done. i installed as its super easy.
Gary,
I didn't know that Aardvarc had an upholstery connection, though I shouldn't be surprised. It seems like Dave is totally connected to all the best aftermarket services in SoCal.
Is your dash really perfect or is that an optical illusion? Also, is your carpet original? it looks really good too.
Great looking interior!
-John
Last edited by dumbclub; 05-07-2017 at 03:31 PM.
Here's the Motorsports wheel, Zender gauge pod, and fake Alpina gauges my e21 has had since the beginning of time
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