Headliner repair

[roadrash]

How would one go about repairing a sagging headliner?

Or, if it's not a DIY job, what would that sort of thing cost? I expect that the cost varies depending geographical area and the type of shop you have do the repair, but what would be a rough estimate?

[bmwracerchick]

I just got my headliner done not too long ago. I got a good deal compared to all the places I went to. Its still expensive though. I paid $175 for mine, other places I went to wanted $300+ and they said it was because it was a BMW. I was like BMW my ass its a headliner not an engine, that didnt include the sunroof because it was $50 more because you they wouldve had to take out the assembly to replace it. I wasnt in major need of that so I just did the roof. Here are the pictures, they did a great job.





I think for $175 not having to do it myself and spend the hours doing it in the hot florida sun was worth it

[Dusty]

Here in SA, TX where I live I have two estimates so far for my ti. One is approx $95- $99 from one upholstery shop only because he can't do the moon roofportion. Another shop quoted me around $195 including the moon roof.

[bmwracerchick]

more:

[bmw318tiChic]

racerchick, where did you get your headliner done? I live in Florida too, and I've only been to one place for an estimate so far, but the guy said "$375" :/ I am thinking that if I can just get a headliner somewhere I'll do it myself.

[bmwracerchick]

Originally Posted by bmw318tiChic

racerchick, where did you get your headliner done? I live in Florida too, and I've only been to one place for an estimate so far, but the guy said "$375" :/ I am thinking that if I can just get a headliner somewhere I'll do it myself.

I live in the Tampa Bay area. My mechanic for when I owned my Lumina owns a body shop and he would send his cars to this upholstery shop if any interior damage was done. I dont know why its so expensive here. If you live anywhere in the Tampa area ill give you full detail.

[bmw318tiChic]

Originally Posted by bmwracerchick

I live in the Tampa Bay area. My mechanic for when I owned my Lumina owns a body shop and he would send his cars to this upholstery shop if any interior damage was done. I dont know why its so expensive here. If you live anywhere in the Tampa area ill give you full detail.

Ah, thanks for the info. I live in Jacksonville, so it'd be a little bit far away.

[bmwracerchick]

Originally Posted by bmw318tiChic

Ah, thanks for the info. I live in Jacksonville, so it'd be a little bit far away.

Your welcome...ya you would end up spending the money you wouldve saved on headliner on gas instead if you came down this way. The thing is (im assuming your a fellow girl by your name) because we are girls mechanics will always try to pull crap like oh it cost this or you need this when you really dont. Now add a BMW to the mix....they are gonna pull even more crap on us. Like when I got new tires they said I needed new brake pads...well we go over to look and half the pad was still there. Im like what are you trying to pull with me? It still has half left of it. I took to my mechanic and he said the same thing. I think I got over 15,000 miles more out of them before I changed them. But ya keep looking im sure you will find somewhere that wont over charge you.

[bmw318tiChic]

Originally Posted by bmwracerchick

Your welcome...ya you would end up spending the money you wouldve saved on headliner on gas instead if you came down this way. The thing is (im assuming your a fellow girl by your name) because we are girls mechanics will always try to pull crap like oh it cost this or you need this when you really dont. Now add a BMW to the mix....they are gonna pull even more crap on us. Like when I got new tires they said I needed new brake pads...well we go over to look and half the pad was still there. Im like what are you trying to pull with me? It still has half left of it. I took to my mechanic and he said the same thing. I think I got over 15,000 miles more out of them before I changed them. But ya keep looking im sure you will find somewhere that wont over charge you.

Yeah, that's true. Luckily, I have a really great mechanic and he does a lot of little stuff for free for me, like when my check engine light comes on he'll reset it and determine what the problem was

What tires did you get for your car? I need new tires and was considering going with the Yokohama ES100's, but I hear they get really noisy after about 15k miles.

[TYL]

Originally Posted by bmwracerchick

Like when I got new tires they said I needed new brake pads...well we go over to look and half the pad was still there. Im like what are you trying to pull with me? It still has half left of it. I took to my mechanic and he said the same thing. I think I got over 15,000 miles more out of them before I changed them. But ya keep looking im sure you will find somewhere that wont over charge you.

If you have OEM pads a light will come on in the dashboard letting you know that they need replacement. I was surprised that my original factory pads lasted 60,000 miles.

[bmw318tiChic]

Oh, and here is a link for DIY: http://www.wlsheadliners.com/tutorials/bmw/

[anthony318ti]

Originally Posted by bmw318tiChic

Oh, and here is a link for DIY: http://www.wlsheadliners.com/tutorials/bmw/

Bump Bump! This is an old post but thanks for the link now i have confidence in doing it myself haha.

[NuovoTech]

i got these cool little push pin/corkscrew type things at wal mart today. they are for a temporary fix of sagging head liners.

Talked to an upholstery guy, he said using those corkscrew pins could damage the headliner baseboard. If one had to do a temp fix he suggested that using a stapler would be a lot less damaging.

[32styledTI]

That was lots of reading, tho i learned a lot about re covering a headliner It was dragged out. It was a certain few that really made the whole read worth while! It was nice to hear lots of input and i take it this is a very comman problem that bmw overlooked when making the car!

I thought I may have been one of the lucky ones that had certains in my car but no not at all its not a M option, its just shotty bmw design or poor previous owner care! None the less im going to have to take the time and get it fixed up nice an proper and why not make it with the meterial that I want an not some crusty ugly dirty light grey meterial thats proned to getting dirty on every touch...

Im going with black suade meteral if i can find it at the local fabric land ( a fabric retailer in ontario canada.)

I just hope the 4 seasons in canada do not screw me over and force me to to it again next year - Ive been researching the different glues and it seems the one of choice is 3m 80 sprey adhesive. Alright then..

good info In the thread I just didnt see anyone mention how much fabric to buy to get the job done... It is also kinda confusing how to remove the sunroof cover (part with the meterial on it) The thread kinda scares ya away from wanting to take the sunroof apart its not too reassuring

tho im not going to do 80% of the job and leave a dirty sunroof cover thats just stupid. So off to the fabric store I go.. Ill just get my trusty tape measure out and make some measurements or take another 3 hours and read this thread.. Thanks everyone for the good nights read.
cheers. ill post pics when I get mine back together.

[Mopho]

Originally Posted by NuovoTech

Talked to an upholstery guy, he said using those corkscrew pins could damage the headliner baseboard. If one had to do a temp fix he suggested that using a stapler would be a lot less damaging.

I am the only one that sees the inside of my car, so the buttons worked fine.
With the sunroof cassette holding it up in the center, I only needed a few in the sagging spots to tack it up.
Looks like they came with the car.
I have learned in my 62 years, if you spend too much money on a car, either it will get stolen or run over by a Semi.
GTG for another 10 years now... I worry more about how a car runs and handles than cosmetics.
LOL