Steve,
Just remember before fully pulling out the dash, there's an electrical connector that needs to be disconnected then you can pull out the dash. Take a picture of the connector so when you're ready to install the new dash, you can make the necessary electrical connection for the replacement dash.
Another thing is that the dash has a tip at the front center part that is used as an "alignment" and inserts into a small square hole at the center point of the dash/windshield....you will see this when you slowly pull the dash back...just be sure to align the replacement dash into that hole when you reinstall the dash
I guess that was the hardest part in reinstalling my dash.....on a scale of 1 to 10 I with 10 being the hardest.... I would say dash replacement was a solid 1 for me.
As for PM's just be sure to include pictures....there's nothing more difficult than trying to help out w/o pictures. Having pictures with areas of concerned circled makes things so much easier to explain...
The door panels weren't too hard to do and I have the perfect DIY to show you how that is done....a very good friend of mine changed out his entire interior (Dove Grey to Imola Red) and dyed his interior nappa leather door panels and it turned out very well. Here's the link and page you want to go to:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=420333&page=16
I will be honest...this is a time consuming job but when done will be well worth the effort to complete
I was going to do this as well but then came across the OEM CSL door panels and decided to go this route