pillars have been removed before. careful when doing so but it's not hard. Some replaced them with molded plastic ones iirc. The roof should be easy to remove initially. removing it from the car if you plan to do so may be more difficult.

no experience on the R but removing it from my subaru was problematic. It's bigger than you expect and I couldn't get easily get it out of the car once it is dropped. I needed the windshield out to remove it without damaging it. I had the entire interior stripped of that car and i still couldn't get it out one of the doors. Maybe the R is different and someone with more experience can chime in.

 

You should be able to remove the headliner with both driver and front passenger seats tilted all the way back and the shifter in the "D" or rear most position. Also if you have a sunroof that area should be able to flex abit. I pulled one out of an S60, I had to remove the headliner through the front passenger door. Just take your time.

 

Also as an added tip: Buy lightweight material. I bought some rather heavy black suede off ebay and the 3M 77 general adhesive wasn't strong enough to keep it sticking to the headliner back board. Ended up using rubber cement as well and a squegee.

 

Thanks guys, I'm hope fully going to give it a shot soon. I was planning on using loctite's adhesive, any experience with it?

 

In for the results. I was thinking about doing the same thing since being in a porsche cayenne.

 

Post back with results! I've been wanting to do this. Are you going to do the sun visors as well to match?

 

I'm going to try, it depends on how much material I have left over. I'm deliberating whether to delete the homelink or not though.

Epiphany, two different suedes.

Tan/gobi & Black.

Black headliner
Black sunroof
Black A & C Pillars linking headliner to body
Gobi B billar as contrast
Gobi Visors for upper contrast

Thoughts?

 

Ya, it's really not all that hard. I did it to my 850 because the roof started sagging. I went into the project with no knowledge or expertise on what to do. If I remember correctly, I did NOT need to remove any pillars. Once I got the trim off near the doors and around the sunroof, the head liner just pulled out from behind the pillars. I had to fold it slightly to fit it out one of the door ways. I used the orange 3M spray adhesive with black cloth (backed with foam) from a local craft store. Only took me a few hours and like I said that was with no experience. Came out looking great. The pillars in that car were beige so the contrast was kind of cool.

 

I did mine in black cloth with foam backing and used loctites heaviest spray glue and its held up great for the past 5 months. As far a taking it out make sure you take it out on the passengers side with seats tilted back and gear position in drive or if your manual put it in in neutral and you can flex it a bit since its just cardboard. I would leave it overnight to dry though before putting the headliner back in. Also a helping hand makes the job go by 10x quicker.

 

I believe a member a while back has done a diy on this to his R... can't find it on the search sorry.

 

Don't Use The Loctite Spray Adhesive, Does Not Work Long Term Wise and In Heat.

I Found The 3M Spray Adhesive For Light Weight Roof Liner Material - PN08088 - Sold At NAPA.

Did My 98 C70 Roof Liner With Suede 'Saffron' . Looks Awesome.

 

What level strength loctite glue are you reffering to that did not work long term wise and in heat? I used the 300 and it worked great and held up the whole summer and still holding up well today.