UncleMaz

Can an early center console be altered to fit an airbag dash? What are the differences?

I picked up an airbag dash for my 85 restoration, as I like the look and have plans for the vacant abs cubby. Sean R was kind enough to inform me that I need to use an airbag console for proper fitment.

I have looked in a couple of the obvious places for a used late console (928I and ebay), and see that it may be difficult or costly (or both) to find one.

Does anyone have any insights into mating the early console to the airbag dash? Separately, does anyone have a late console they might be willing to part with? TIA

FLYVMO

Not easily. The shape of the airbag center console has an upper right corner that is rounded, versus a square corner on the non-airbag center console. The area in question is to the right of the inside temp sensor. The rest of the console is the same.

Cheers!
Carl

UncleMaz

Thanks Carl. I was hoping the differences were not cosmetic, but behind the console structual in nature. In other words, something which could be made to fit.

Hopefully, a proper console will turn up. Please PM me if anyone has one. Thanks.

MjRocket

I recently purchased an airbag dash for my 87 and as you did found I needed a different/later center console to match.

I purchased mine from Kevin in Alanta, I believe he may have another one available, I'd give him a shout.

If not 928int does have them however I found the price a bit high for me, but if you can wait till there half off sale in December then it shouldn't be to bad.

Mj

UncleMaz

Thanks MJ. I looked on 928i's site, but only saw new ones. I will ping Kevin.

What are you doing with the newfound cubby?

Rob Edwards

Here are a bunch of pics of an airbag dash center console (from a '91), just for the hell of it:

MjRocket

As per what SeanR has done I'm planning to install a Shark tuner in the cubby.

Mj

UncleMaz

I can see what Carl was referring to. Thanks for the pix Rob. Is that console in number three for your car or S4ordie's car? If it's Dan's car, I think I drooled on it at SF12.

Cool. Too bad I have no use for a ST. I am thinking some sort of tablet for passenger entertainment.

Rob Edwards

The console was for Dan's car. I had a spare airbag console but I sent it to Jerry Feather for a little modification.

UncleMaz

I have not done the swap yet, but thanks to the good folks at 928 International, I have all of the pieces to do the swap from an early to late (airbag) dash (no airbag itself).

Cosmetically, in addition to the center console,(check out the brand new one from 928i), you will need a late glove box and side panels, unique to the late console.

I will post a picture of my 85 with the airbag dash installed. Thanks Tom and Mark. Thanks Rennlist.

MjRocket

Very Nice!!