2016 MG3 Facelift Dashboard Conversion.

What have I got myself into this time? I have these mad ideas from time to time and I've been thinking about this ever since the facelift MG3 was released back in 2018. Would it be possible to fit the facelift dashboard to the prefacelift car? Well, anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
I apologise in advance for the video being nearly an hour long but this was a lot of work and I think it's a worthwhile watch, let me know your thoughts.
Oh and yes it would be easier to go and buy another car, but where's the fun in that?
enjoy!

[@Stop..carry-on]

Crikey! That was some pace, no messing about there. Looks brilliant.

[@stuforbes3967]

Suitably impressed. Fab job especially getting it to look factory. Well done.

[@pistonbroke]

It went way easier than I expected. Hardest part was the heater control surround.

[@theun-personing5674]

You're an absolute legend.

[@kevinmartin9432]

Glad to see you back!

[@davyarthurs]

Wow. Fair play to going to all that effort. And to even more effort by filming the undertaking too. Especially when you’ve you had the pleasure/displeasure of working on other peoples cars all day too 🤪

[@davyarthurs]

When working with insulation tape in tight areas, use a 6 or 8mm socket to wrap some insulation tape around to use as a mini real of tape.

[@pistonbroke]

Good tip. I'll probably end up redoing it with heat shrink though just to make it neater.

[@davyarthurs]

@@pistonbroke factory finish 😄. Dash Looks much better now. Good job!

[@sheriffathy1519]

You are amazing man .. i proud of you .. bravoo 👏👏👏

[@rabk5702]

When I use to work as a tec when it came to taking dashes out for repairs all the tecs ran and the yapping starts lol looks good and saves you from having to change your car. 👍👍

[@connorcurtis1168]

Looks a lot better in person Steve

[@tbdogfosters]

love it mate it looks so good 👍

[@pistonbroke]

Cheers, facelift steering wheel next....

[@tbdogfosters]

​@@pistonbroke 👍 cool

[@fiestasiphil]

Looks really decent, nice work, what about fitting the facelift steering wheel?

[@pistonbroke]

I'm doing that as well. There will be a video soon.

[@mrtalmos]

Is this all new parts? How expensive was the conversation? Great work by the way

[@pistonbroke]

Some new, some from breakers. I'll do an update video with the total cost.

[@LeeB-lh2pw]

Great work and a good watch! 👍🏼 I need to replace the infotainment system in my facelift. Any tips on removing the fascia without damaging it?

[@pistonbroke]

Take the glovebox out and put your hand up behind the facia and you'll feel the clips poking through, they're about ¼ inch wide, push (hard!) the clip nearest the outer vent till you can get your fingers behind the trim, then work your way along carefully pulling the trim off.

[@LeeB-lh2pw]

Thanks for this and for the quick reply 👍🏼👍🏼

[@83esiu]

Very satisfying video, however I have some questions/concerns. First, is this legal? Reason why I'm asking is that when last year a taxi driver hits me and run away (on a roundabout) my insurance company has asked me to send them a photos of the car from all angles an outside as well as a photos of a full dashboard and a clocks (with an engine on). What if they find out you are not stock? Do you have to report it as a modification? How they will treat that? Other issue is that if for example, in case of an accident your airbags will fire up and they will take a car to fix I'm pretty sure insurance will be happy to cancel the policy as car hasn't been stock. Just thinking how this is working. Any ideas?

[@pistonbroke]

If the accident is bad enough that the airbags go off then the car will be a write off anyway.

[@theun-personing5674]

Do you know if the facelift seats are a direct fit? Look the same but not 100% if the airbag plugs are the same. Can't stand the faux leather seats.I've also got a facelift rear tailgate lights but the reverse is on the other side.Can get most lights to work but the brake light and reverse light. 😅

[@pistonbroke]

Seats will fit as the fixing points are the same, not sure about the airbag plugs though. You could cut the original ones off and solder them to the new ones. Tail lights wiring is different, the profile around the tailgate is also different. They wont look good unless you change the tailgate and the rear bumper.

[@theun-personing5674]

@@pistonbrokeappreciate the info. Yeah been looking at seats on ebay pics and the plugs look similar but i think the earth part looks slightly different. As for the lights the plugs are the same, i took some of the pins out and moved them around but the brake operates the reverse light and vice versa. Yes the facelift lights poke out a bit at the top so i would have to change or notch out the spoiler also as i couldn't shut the boot. On the lookout for a facelift tailgate as they look smart, but yet to find one in the right colour. Not even sure if they did the facelift in metallic black. Do you think the front end bumpers and lights would be fairly straightforward?

[@theun-personing5674]

@@pistonbrokeyou ever considered a rear brake disc conversion?

[@pistonbroke]

If you fit the facelift tailgate, you'll need the bumper also as it has the cutout to get your hand into the tailgate release button. Tailgate release is also electric where as the prefacelift is mechanical so there will be that to sort out too. Front end you will need all of it including the radiator, expansion tank, pipes, ac condensor & fan and the housing it all sits in as well as the obvious wings, lights etc. I don't know if the inner wings are the same but I'm sure it could be modified to fit. Never considered rear discs as the performance of the car means it doesn't need it.

[@theun-personing5674]

@@pistonbroke wow, far more involved than i thought. In that case i think I'll just put up and shut up 😂 might give the interior seats and door cards a bash though. Pretty sure the door cards will fit and just need to make a blank for the door switch on the drivers side.