Thoughts on alcantara dash?

[Winter.M3]

I just saw this and was wondering if there was a reason I've never seen it before.
imo it looks great and considering doing it when swapping to single hump, but maybe it's not easy to diy or something?

More on this post
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1430878

The dash in the picture is from the Schrimer's M3
youtube.com/watch?v=pGRf-XFY-8o&t=64s

[DRLane]

It’s pretty simple - Remove dash and take it to an qualified auto upholstery shop and they’ll install it.

You could probably have them do it end/end but if you can patiently follow detailed DIYs you can save big bucks on the remove/reinstall labor.

[euro92]

I wanted to do something similar but ultimately decided against it due to complications with ensuring the integrity of the passenger side airbag.

Similar to the side airbags on our seats, it would have to be done with a specific thread type and stitching style designed to rip apart easier than normal.

Some more information on sewing airbag seams


Pictures of Airbag Deployed on an E90

Here is how BMW did it on the E60 Extended Leather Dashboard

[GORDON.M3]

The process of doing such a modification is very simple, a very good contact glue that can withstand high temperatures and installing an Alcantara cloth with a roller and then stitching.

However, as euroe92 mentioned, the complications of an airbag not deploying properly is a concern if your car is not a full-blown race car without airbags and a welded cage.
So that concern alone is enough to turn away most "single hump" owners from getting a leather or Alcantara "upper" portion. However, I have had a friend local to me who did that exact modification and used yellow stitching to match his Dakar yellow e92 and it turned out beautifully.

Alternatively, for those concerned about the airbag, you would need to find out the cutout shape of when the airbag has been deployed and essentially use two pieces of Alcantara and stitch the airbag deployment section with a special fabric that will rip easily with the force of the airbag deployment. I would speak to experts that have experience in repairing cars that have been into an accident with seat seams that have been torn before.

[Serf27]

I have an E90 dash with a deployed passenger airbag.
I will try to get some photos and measurements for the thread.

[Johnny E92]

There is a recent clip from Matt Armstrong that rebuilds BMW’s in the UK, he is currently rebuilding a Porsche at Tavarish’s in the USA.

The Porsche has a dash airbag that was deployed and he used Tavarish’s contacts at E3 Upholstery to repair it, they are based in Florida and repaired it so its all good for the airbag, might be worth a shot for your dash.

[Winter.M3]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

So that concern alone is enough to turn away most "single hump" owners from getting a leather or Alcantara "upper" portion. However, I have had a friend local to me who did that exact modification and used yellow stitching to match his Dakar yellow e92 and it turned out beautifully.

It would look great. I love subtle mods like that. I wouldn't mind having an awkward stitch that goes over the airbag. I'll do some looking into this soon and see what I can make happen.

[Winter.M3]

Originally Posted by Serf27

I have an E90 dash with a deployed passenger airbag.
I will try to get some photos and measurements for the thread.

That would be great. I could definitely see myself getting a single hump soon and having the dash wrapped with the extra stitching

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by euro92

I wanted to do something similar but ultimately decided against it due to complications with ensuring the integrity of the passenger side airbag.

Similar to the side airbags on our seats, it would have to be done with a specific thread type and stitching style designed to rip apart easier than normal.

Some more information on sewing airbag seams


Pictures of Airbag Deployed on an E90

Here is how BMW did it on the E60 Extended Leather Dashboard

finally some understanding, anything in the way of the airbag which doesnt open slow enough or fast enough will either make the inflator deploy too soon or too late, both of which can have deadly consequence.

as a covering, it would be advisable to seam the cross section of where the airbag deploys from.

[Serf27]

Photos and measurements of a few areas.
This dash had idrive. It should be the same location as non idrive.