I can pull apart an E24 door with my eyes closed, but need some help for my pristine E30. I am replacing the map pocket. Can someone give me the order of disassembly so my door remains pristine? Thank you.
The door handle is attached to the map pocket, so you have to pull that as well. If you have power mirrors, you'll have to pull the power mirror switch and disconnect it from the harness. In there, you'll find a screw holding that part of the door handle to the door. Take it out, minding the tabs, and then look on the underside of the arm rest. There will be two screws; remove them both and take off the door handle. At this point, you should be able to swing out the map pocket. Mine has been taken out so many times that I don't know if yours will be as easy, because I remember a couple of extra screws somewhere, but mine is that simple. I don't quite remember how it's supposed to be; there may or may not be screws holding the map pocket to the door panel, but let me know how you make out. You'd think I'd remember every last detail since I replaced both front windows at the Patroon Concours... lol
I knew I could count on you Botond! I may encounter some screws through the panel, but I can take that apart once the hardware is removed. Thank you sir.... good Karma to you!
Botond got you off to a great start. Couple of things to watch out for. Three screws hold on the door handle. Two at the bottom and one under the power mirror switch (as Botond mentioned) or under the blank if this is the passenger door. Unscrew the door lock knob. Carefully pry off the door opening handle surround. If I remember correctly you pry towards the rear of the car. Do not pull straight out on it. It slides either left or right depending on which door it is on. Then there are a bunch of plastic connectors around the bottom and side edges of the panel. Squeeze your fingers in between the door and the door card to pop them out. Be careful and be sure to pull right by the plastic connector so you don't damage the door card. Then the whole door card should slide up, it might be helpful to have the window all the way down. Once the door card is off, you will find two screws on the back that hold the door pocket to the door card. Alternatively to taking the door card off, just swing out the bottom away from the door and you should be able to access the two screws that hold on the door pocket. I say this b/c it can be tough sometimes to get it back on. Good Luck.
Success Thanks for all the help guys. I was able to get up underneath the lower edge and remove the pocket screws without removing the door panel. Thank goodness for short screw drivers! I don't think anyone has pulled that door apart since it was new.