Browse system: Body, glass & interior

BMW E36/E46 · Buyer's guide

US/LHD BMW E36 Center-Console, Armrest and Selector-Trim Identification

US/LHD 1992-1999 BMW E36 factory center-console shells, front/rear storage inserts, armrest bases, gear-selector panels, shifter boots/frames, parking-brake trim, ashtrays, cupholders/coin boxes and switch blanks only, narrowed by body, production, manual/automatic transmission, armrest equipment, switch/storage layout, interior color and written contents. Prove both VINs/builds, exact identity, underside mounts and every included piece. Exclude E30/E46, RHD assumptions, mechanical shifter or parking-brake parts, dashboard/carpet and cracked, cut, warped, liquid-damaged or hidden-repair donors.

Current seller options

WHERE TO BUY

Open an exact listing, then confirm fitment, stock, price, and shipping with the seller before ordering.

Seller links checked . Prices and availability can change.

What you need to know

Decode both VINs/builds and match E36 body, production, manual/automatic opening, armrest equipment, switch/storage arrangement and exact interior color before ordering. Photograph the full top, underside, every tower/tab, selector and parking-brake opening, wiring/switch provisions and finish. Itemize shell, selector panel, boot/frame, armrest, ashtray, cupholder/coin box, switch blanks, brackets and hardware. Reject cracks, broken towers/hinges, warped plastic, cuts, liquid residue, odor or hidden glue/screw repair.

OEM numbers

51168162669 | 51168162672 | 51168162673 | 51168184560 | 51162251915 | 51168217479 | 51168217480 | 51168217481 | 51168144795 | 51168144796 | 51168144797

Supersession

A checked current seller path identifies 51168132839 as replaced by black console 51168162669. No manual-to-automatic, armrest-to-delete, color, body, Compact-to-other-body, switch/storage or loaded-content supersession is asserted. Individual selector panels, cubbies, cupholders and ashtrays remain separate unless itemized.

Fitment

Decode both VINs/builds and match E36 body, production, manual/automatic opening, armrest equipment, switch/storage arrangement and exact interior color before ordering. Photograph the full top, underside, every tower/tab, selector and parking-brake opening, wiring/switch provisions and finish. Itemize shell, selector panel, boot/frame, armrest, ashtray, cupholder/coin box, switch blanks, brackets and hardware. Reject cracks, broken towers/hinges, warped plastic, cuts, liquid residue, odor or hidden glue/screw repair.

Aftermarket options

Exact reproduction storage inserts and selector pieces can restore an individual broken or missing component when transmission opening, mounts and transfer parts are explicit. They do not prove a complete factory console, color match, body interchange or armrest conversion.

Before you buy

Match both VINs/builds, E36 body and production, manual/automatic opening, armrest equipment, switch/storage layout, color and exact identity. Require underside/mount photos and a written shell/selector/boot/armrest/storage/switch/hardware inventory.

Research and fitment sources

Supersede reviewed 10 unique research sources for this guide. 4 also appear above as a seller or official action and are not repeated here; 6 additional citations follow.

Research last verified .

  1. RealOEM — showparts
  2. RealOEM — showparts
  3. Bmwpartsdeal — centre console
  4. Workshop Manuals — 8 ra removing and installing center console (compact)
  5. Bmwfans — center console cubbies
  6. Carmanualsonline — bmw 325i 1994 e36 workshop manual
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US/LHD BMW E46 Interior Door-Trim Panel, Body, Side and Equipment Identification

US/LHD BMW E46 Sedan, Touring/Wagon, Coupe and Convertible factory interior door-trim panels/cards only, narrowed by exact body, production, front/rear and left/right position, interior color/upholstery and equipment branch. Prove both VINs/builds, body, production, position/side, molded identity, leather/cloth/vinyl and trim color, side-airbag/speaker/handle/switch openings, vapor barrier, condition and written contents. Exclude E36/E90, body-style interchange without exact proof, non-US/RHD assumptions and delaminated, warped, water-damaged, cut or heavily repaired donors.

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2002-2005 E46 Sedan/Wagon Front Bumper: Standard, Aero, US Carrier and Hardware Identification

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US/LHD BMW E46 Non-Convertible RWD and xi Molded Floor Covering and Written-Contents Identification

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US BMW E36 Front Door Shells: Sedan, Coupe/Convertible, Compact and M3 Lightweight Exceptions

US/LHD BMW E36 factory front-door bare shells only, split into three non-interchangeable families. FOUR-DOOR SEDAN: 1992-1998 318i/325i/328i and 1997-1998 M3 Sedan applications represented by the checked catalog. TWO-DOOR STANDARD STEEL: US E36 Coupe applications through model year 1999 and Convertible applications through model year 1999, including ordinary body-correct M3 applications, using one checked shell per side across Coupe/Convertible. E36/5 COMPACT: 1995-1999 US 318ti only. Resolve recipient VIN, production month, exact body, physical side and installed material before ordering. Exclude E30, E46, Z3/E36-7, rear doors, non-US Touring, RHD assumptions, skins presented as shells, altered race doors, unsupported body conversions and 1995 M3 Lightweight aluminum-door cars unless VIN-specific BMW material and exact shell identity are independently proven.

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