Sorry to beat an old subject to death. I'm going to replace my windshield tomorrow and I figured it's a good time to replace my sagging headliner as well. I've studied post after post but still can't figure out if I need to remove the c-pillar interior trim to get the headliner out. (I've already removed everything else). If I do, it looks like the rear seat has to come out as well. I also want to replace the headliner covering the sunroof, can't seem to find a post for that. Am I missing something? Thanks in advance.

 

I *think* the trim you're talking about can either lean over to the center, or it should be no trouble to get the rear seats to lift up a bit. I think it makes it easier if you also remove the package tray vinyl cover / trim.

I also slightly folded the headliner structure on the way out the back door.

I am sort of "in the middle" of doing mine now and have not found an answer to the sun-roof cover question. I am pretty sure that the thick headliner material (with foam backing) would crash the backward travel of the sun-roof due to the tight fit. I plan to try to scrape the foam off for my "plan A" .

The original material did not have the foam part on the sun-roof panel.

 

I replaced my headlining last summer. Having the luxury of no screen makes it a no brainer to do it. I took mine out the door which is doable but not ideal.

I would definitely remove all trim that is anywhere near the headlining - why make life difficult?. Removing the rear seat is a simple job (IIRC two screws on the base then lift, two screws on the back then lift) and the C post trim is straight forward also.

There's nothing special about the sun roof. I just covered and glued same as the rest of the lining and it's absolutely fine.

 

Four screws on the rear squab rather than two, but otherwise, pretty much as Brendan said! (those two inboard, near the hump are a bit hidden)

The key to the sunroof trim panel is in using 1/8" or 3mm material rather than the more readily available 1/4" stuff. It has been said that the BMW dealer has the thin headliner material in colors that match well to ours.

 

Can I do the sunroof at a later date, or should it be done at the same time as the rest of the headliner?

 

Do it right away. The color match will not be exact and if your like me it will drive you nuts.

 

Can anyone give me some pointers about removing the inner sunroof panel? I'm just not seeing how to get it out so I can recover it. Thanks!

 

Tilt it up at the back, and the inner panel pulls out. It is held in by spring clips, but I can't remember if they are at the front or the back. Someone will be along shortly to clear it up.

 

Thanks. Can I do it next week, or does it have to be done while I have the headliner board out? I'm pretty beat and the glass guy will be here in the morning...

 

Inner panel is pretty much independent from the headliner job, apart from the color matching mentioned above. Next week should be fine.

Don't be an idiot (like me) and cut your new headliner flush around the opening - you need about an inch all around to wrap up and over for the pinch-welt to hold - have to make little slits all around for it to get around the corners.

 

Here's some pictures of the sunroof panels that may help. The arrows on the upper side point to the front of the car. It will give an idea of what you're dealing with.

 

Oh, that's right...you do need to recover the drain-channel while the headliner is out! forgot about that.

Brendan, I'm only seeing arrows in the middle view...and they seem to be pointing to the rear rather than the front? The drain channel definitely rides aft of the major panel. Or what have I got mixed up?

 

@aholbro1

Yes you're right that the small panel is at the back. The arrows are correct on each panel but the positioning of the panels relative to each other in the picture is confusing. Photoshop to the rescue and here's a less confusing edit.