Door handle surrounds

[big_capo]

Hi folks!

Has anyone replaced the plastic outside door handle surround on an e36 coupe?

My passenger side one is scuffed to hell, so I bought a pair of new ones (I thought I might as well replace both sides.)

Ive got as far as looking into the access hole on the inside edge of the door by removing the rubber trim, but I cant figure out where I go from here.

Ive been told to look for a metal slider and to push/pull with a hook tool to release the trim, but Ive tried everything but cant get anything to move. Does anyone know what this slider looks like and where exactly it is?

Ive also been told that the slider isnt accesible on the coupe without taking the door apart, window, lock and handles out! (a stealer job?). All that for a piece of plastic.

[kestrel325is]

I did this last night.
You don't need to take the door apart to get to that little arm... But to remove the handle bezel, you push the slider arm away from you... Reverse to get the damn thing back on. ghead

Unfortunately, the hole in the door is too damn small to take a worthwhile picture of it...

[wulley1]

I'd love to get some carbon fiber handles and surrounds. Anyone seen them before?

[tico481]

Never seen them. See if you can post a picture cause they sound pretty cool

[wulley1]

I've seen them on a car in a mag recently, I'll try to find it.

[tico481]

You better get that up here soon son before I start to get impatient

[wulley1]

still can't find it, I'll keep looking.