[SunzOut]

Early November after a several month search, we found the "perfect" car. A 2016 340i XDrive,Gray with Red interior.

CPO M Sport with Track Pack, Technology Pack, Cold weather and Driver Assistance.

Decent miles and a good price. Picked it up 180 Miles from home. But on the way home, stopped at a red light, an inattentive driver in a VW CC totaled the car after less than 4hrs of ownership

After another month of hunting, we have come close but still have not yet found an equivalent. We have found equvalent spec but not with the Red interior.

So I got to thinking would it be stupid to try and swap a Black interior for Red ?

The seats are easy, I think! As long as you get sports seats they should be the same from any F30 and even if I had to get a Shop to do the Door cards, that would really not be to hard.

Depending on the source for the new interior (a swap with another owner, a used purchase or even buy a another car that we sell on) It may not be a expensive option.

Is it a stupid idea ?

Or not work the time or money, or Cause problems on re-sale as the car(s) no longer match the VIN description

[rak299]

I know that if I were buying a used BMW, I would look up the VIN. If the interior were the wrong color, I would assume the car came from a chop shop and walk away.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by SunzOut

Early November after a several month search, we found the "perfect" car. A 2016 340i XDrive,Gray with Red interior.

CPO M Sport with Track Pack, Technology Pack, Cold weather and Driver Assistance.

Decent miles and a good price. Picked it up 180 Miles from home. But on the way home, stopped at a red light, an inattentive driver in a VW CC totaled the car after less than 4hrs of ownership

After another month of hunting, we have come close but still have not yet found an equivalent. We have found equvalent spec but not with the Red interior.

So I got to thinking would it be stupid to try and swap a Black interior for Red ?

The seats are easy, I think! As long as you get sports seats they should be the same from any F30 and even if I had to get a Shop to do the Door cards, that would really not be to hard.

Depending on the source for the new interior (a swap with another owner, a used purchase or even buy a another car that we sell on) It may not be a expensive option.

Is it a stupid idea ?

Or not work the time or money, or Cause problems on re-sale as the car(s) no longer match the VIN description

2 or 3 have done it to their F30s over the past 5 years.

Seats are relatively easy. Depending on dashboard and door trim, there could be issues.

Few red owners (well, 2 or 3 in past 5 years) have wanted to swap. Then you have differences of seat condition, heating, options plus transportation costs. Freight needed and they need to be protected. Transportation isn’t cheap.

So yes, can be done. But a lot of moving parts, logistics, and quite honestly, people tend to overstate condition of used items they are trying to sale.

It can be done. But you will most likely not find an interior and get it done for any reasonable costs.

[bbq]

Any chance that your old car is now sitting at a junk yard? If so you just found the perfect seats to swap.

[rjd_F30]

Like IK6SPEED said it'd doable and, you probably didn't need to be told this but, it's a big undertaking and can turn into a headache. It depends on how bad you want it! But to answer your question, no I don't think it's a stupid idea.

[IAmATeaf]

You should have purchased the interior from the wrecked car.

[SunzOut]

Well the wrecked car just went of to the "Salvage yard". Not sure if that means one of these auction places that sell crash damaged cars or some where that re-sells the parts.

I plan to ask the Insurance guy when he comes round with the check on Monday.

Although in Illinois you can buy back your car from Insurance, Not sure if that affects once they sell it on.

Maybe it needs to become our stripped out track car, as the damage was repairable.

[Eddien123]

Yeah one of things I wanted in my F30 was red or brown interior. But I found a perfect one with everything I wanted except red. It had black interior which i absolutely hate but it had the 6MT so I figured it was easier to swap an interior than a transmission so boom. I realized after purchasing what an annoyance it would be in theory and just decided to suck it up and wait for my next car.

Sorry to hijack but if anyone has sport leather heated seats that aren't black and want black... let me know. Mine are perfect condition with the only flaw being their color.

[SunzOut]

Car is at a salvage yard waiting on Auction, But Illinois is one of those Odd states where you can't buy unless you are licensed.

https://www.iaai.com/Vehicle?itemID=...oadRecent=True

[QuikSilver_]

Fwiw, just did a quick search and found a couple of options that I think tick most of your boxes? I think the only thing missing on both of these is the Track Handling Package. One is on the East coast, the other on the West.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3725/overview/

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2888/overview/

[SunzOut]

Originally Posted by gpjustinn

Fwiw, just did a quick search and found a couple of options that I think tick most of your boxes? I think the only thing missing on both of these is the Track Handling Package. One is on the East coast, the other on the West.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...3725/overview/

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2888/overview/

Thanks, track handing was a must have..but see my other thread...we have a car on the way.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1566305

[QuikSilver_]

Originally Posted by SunzOut

Thanks, track handing was a must have..but see my other thread...we have a car on the way.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1566305

Sweet! Can't wait to see more pics once you get it!

[MONSTAR]

So many good parts still usable on that car. Steering wheel, screen, trim pieces, 2tb shifter, seats and other interior pieces, speakers and subs....engine....etc.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by SunzOut

Car is at a salvage yard waiting on Auction, But Illinois is one of those Odd states where you can't buy unless you are licensed.

https://www.iaai.com/Vehicle?itemID=...oadRecent=True

Insurance Company sells whole.

Up to buyer whether to repair or part out.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by rak299

I know that if I were buying a used BMW, I would look up the VIN. If the interior were the wrong color, I would assume the car came from a chop shop and walk away.

Well, he could point it out in the listing...he'd have the paper work for it.

[BamBam1996]

Verify

[sactown M]

So does anyone know if this can be done or has anyone done an interior swap?

[Derek Mc]

Originally Posted by sactown's finest

So does anyone know if this can be done or has anyone done an interior swap?

It can be done but is a pretty major operation. Also as said if I were looking at a car and the interior didn't match the one it left the factory with I would be asking questions about is the car a ringer/ total loss etc etc

[Mr Podman]

In situations like this it's always good to consider the alternative option.

You could spend a lot of time, effort and money to get yourself a red interior, or you could spend that money on....





podman

[BEM-S4]

If you want to change up your interior I'd swap the trim and stop there. Even get a new wheel. Interior no way.

[AlpineX]

Find a local enthusiast that wants to swap. As long as you have black lower dash parts the swap is not too bad. Seats, doorcards, armrest and possibly trim.
Verify you have the same options: sport, premium, heaters, window shades, stereo. You'll have to swap the dash and console trims if the led light strips in the door cards are different colors. A few single-use bolts in there, seat mounting etc. Retain original seat computers and pre-tensioners.

[FirstBMWLA]

Search entire US and be willing to fly and drive back. What I did for my F36 with red interior and long must have option list.
Patience. I know it's tough....