How to Remove a Door Handle on a 1998 BMW 323i

1. Park the car in a sunny spot, or inside a garage. Make sure the area is well-lit. Removing the handle requires the ability to see clearly behind the door housing, so good lighting is a must. You can also use a headlamp to see inside the panel.
2. Remove the screw caps from under the broken door handle. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry the screw caps away from the panel exposing the screws holding the handle housing in place.
3. Unscrew the screws holding the handle housing in place with a Phillips head screwdriver. Set the screw aside for now in a safe place so that you can find them later when you install the new handle.
4. Pull the handle housing away from the door. You may have to break an adhesive bond between the door and door handle housing with the flathead screwdriver. Heat the handle with a heat gun for about a minute to loosen the glue and make it easier to pry it away from the car with the screwdriver. You can also slide a putty knife between the handle and the door to help with the removal process.
5. Disconnect the cables from the handle housing with needle nose pliers. Tape the cables to the side of the door panel so that they do not retract inside the door. Set the old housing aside.