thanks for the reply mate
i have just managed to do it
all i will say is this .... i don't want to do it again
tools needed
soft trim removal tool
8mm socket
t16 torx
t20 torx
start by removing the dash pod ends on both driver and passenger side
then remove the glove box and likewise for the drivers side also
be careful if you have a hard drive fitted as the leads are connected under here and the glove box is heavy
remove the clock in the centre of the dash
to remove the screen its held by two torx screws at the back of the screen
unplug the video feed fakra cable
unplug the power connection
now you have to remove both the metal inlays and the wood or finished inlays as well
on the passenger side there is 1 screw 8MM under the dash pod ends cover
remove this
then look underneath the dash at the back there are two tiny t16 torx screws holding the aluminium part of the trim to the wooden inlay and main dash
remove these and gently pry the aluminium trim away...
under the aluminium panel there are two 8mm screws which hold the wood panel to the main dash ... remove these
be careful of electrical connections for heater vents and the like
drivers side aluminium strip only has one screw 8mm near where ignition key fits ... again watch for electrical connections
carefully remove panel
there are 2 t20 torx screws which hold the main mmi mechanism and the
surrounding trim remove these ...
you should now be able to remove the passenger side trim which in turn allows you to remove the mmi mechanism
refit in reverse order ... watch the cable positioning its a bugger
because the screen has been disconnected the mmi will not stay in position when you wish to attach your old screen to your new mechanism
be careful not to damage anything when re attaching screws to fix the screen in place
i couldn't find an mmi service position in vcds
the screen may well be blank but connect everything back up and reset everything via vcds and screen should start working again