Screw Caps/Covers

[MORRIE]

Does anyone know where I can find these covers/caps used on dash area to cover the screws?

[s8ilver]

Every vendor stocks them, but they're getting pricey (I feel like they should maybe cost a quarter apiece). Best I've found lately is FCP Euro, but gotta get order over $49 for free shipping.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ck-51161949793

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...k/51161949793/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E31-E32...8AAOSwxN5WXdvh

I just installed some fresh ones and had to remove them to get under the dash again (added gauges), and I haven't figured out how to take them off without damaging them slightly. I use a pick to try and get under the edge, but usually end up digging into the side and leaving a tiny hole in each one I remove. I was thinking of maybe heating them slightly before removal.

[MORRIE]

Thanks for the response. Appears eBay has the best deal....still Pricey little buggers

[s8ilver]

Thanks for the response. Appears eBay has the best deal....still Pricey little buggers

They do come in individual baggies, so I guess we're paying for packaging too.

Last year ECS had a blowout on the little fake plastic Allen "screws" in the M shifter bezel trim. Something like $0.08 or $0.10 apiece. I bought 40 of them, and they came in a strip of perforated bags. 40 BAGS.

Update: I lied, they were $0.26 apiece.
shifter screw.JPG

$5.45 EACH now.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...p/51167896796/

[rasmuw]

Last year ECS had a blowout on the little fake plastic Allen "screws" in the M shifter bezel trim.

Were those screws smaller than the originals? Did they fit loosely? I can't remember where I bought the one screw I was missing, but it was too small and had to be glued into place to keep it from rattling.

I'm the only one who will notice, and certainly wish I could forget to see it...

[s8ilver]

Were those screws smaller than the originals? Did they fit loosely? I can't remember where I bought the one screw I was missing, but it was too small and had to be glued into place to keep it from rattling.

I'm the only one who will notice, and certainly wish I could forget to see it...

They did fit a little loose. I heated one up a bit and bent the tabs out slightly and it engaged in the trim ring a LOT better.

[neopolymath]

Were those screws smaller than the originals? Did they fit loosely? I can't remember where I bought the one screw I was missing, but it was too small and had to be glued into place to keep it from rattling.

I'm the only one who will notice, and certainly wish I could forget to see it...

I noticed the same thing as you. You aren't crazy.

[MORRIE]

They do come in individual baggies, so I guess we're paying for packaging too.

Last year ECS had a blowout on the little fake plastic Allen "screws" in the M shifter bezel trim. Something like $0.08 or $0.10 apiece. I bought 40 of them, and they came in a strip of perforated bags. 40 BAGS.

Update: I lied, they were $0.26 apiece.
shifter screw.JPG

$5.45 EACH now.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...p/51167896796/

I think you are mistaken. This is what I am looking for but in black....https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/51168398920/

[s8ilver]

I think you are mistaken. This is what I am looking for but in black....https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...h/51168398920/

Look at post #2. I knew what you were looking for. I was just commenting on the price hike of other tiny interior plastics.

[MORRIE]

Look at post #2. I knew what you were looking for. I was just commenting on the price hike of other tiny interior plastics.

No worries...found the best price is on eBay...on your post #2. I do appreciate the information. I ordered them...hope they fit. Will post results when I receive them. Thanks much

[MORRIE]

They sent 2 different sizes. I used the 65 that fit. All screws are covered except 2 located by drivers side near floorboard which is not too noticeable. I sent them a message calling their attention to the issue but no response.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[MORRIE]

Used the 5 that fit

They sent 2 different sizes. I used the 65 that fit. All screws are covered except 2 located by drivers side near floorboard which is not too noticeable. I sent them a message calling their attention to the issue but no response.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[chilipeppermani]

Having recently dealt with these screw caps, I can see people being anal and wanting to re cap their screw heads after servicing interiors. As I removed my center console, the amount of cursing BMW for putting stupid caps on something as simple as a functional screw to make it a royal pain just to unscrew something, only served to raise my blood pressure and ticked me off. I guess I am a function over fashion type a tech type guy. I would almost pay extra to NOT have any stupid caps.

[Mr Bingley]

I think it was in the 1970's when Mercedes first began cleverly hiding interior fasteners, and not long after that the other European car makers followed suit. I'm not sure that American manufacturers ever really got on board with that, as you can still see exposed fasteners on new American cars--at least they aren't chrome plated anymore. Little plastic caps is a pretty cheap and non-clever way of concealing them though, and BMW gets no points for that particular approach in my book. My favorites are the caps on the fasteners that you can't see inside the oddments box/roll bar enclosure--those are great.

[deni2s]

My favorites are the caps on the fasteners that you can't see inside the oddments box/roll bar enclosure--those are great.

Maybe they are there to prevent screw from rusting? If moisture gets there it will not dry so easily...