I respect the fact that you want to bring back some of the European attributes that BMW denies U.S. customers, but why would you want to do anything that might compromise the safety of your vehicle? That underdash padding was put there because crash tests show that it improves safety for the car's occupants.

Then you also have to consider what you'll do when you sell the car. Do you disclose the mods? Will a buyer want a car that has some of the U.S. mandated safety features removed? Will you have any third party liability if an uninformed occupant is injured?

I can understand most things people do to modify their cars (for example, I brought back a pair of European-standard mirrors for my car), but I don't think I'd do this.

Think about this...if BMW didn't offer airbags in Europe, would you take those out too?

Eric Weber's European dash conversion

Here's the list of parts I ordered for my 2000 540i with Sand interior:

32 31 1 095 786 - Lower Trim, Steering Column
51 45 8 253 397 - Trim Panel, Dashboard, Lower Left, Sand
51 45 8 233 516 - Trim Panel, Foot Controls
51 45 8 199 113 - Trim Panel, Dashboard, Lower, Sand
51 45 8 192 765 - (2) Fillister Head Screw
51 13 1 906 872 - (2) Gasket
51 16 8 198 904 - Glove Box, Sand
51 71 8 239 538 - Steering Column Support

The first part (Lower Trim, Steering Column) is not available in the USA, soI'm having a friend pick it up in England. She'll be here in two weeks for a wedding, so she'll bring it with her then. The rest of the stuff is coming from Pacific BMW.

Thanks to SVTWEB for doing the pioneerig work, providing the parts list and offering his assistance. I'm already anticipating the benefits of double glazed windows and awaiting SVTWEB's report of THAT modification. This is a DISEASE!! :-)

The good thing is that I explained the benefits of the modification to my wife (who also drives a race car - and she's very good at it) and she didn't even hesitate before saying, "Go for it!" She doesn't like the restricted knee room and is looking forward to the extra space. It's her car, so I need to at least warn her before I order more parts for it.

Dave Z.