Z4-forum.com

Thought it worth adding another how-to into the archives....hopefully it helps somebody...

Brodit clip arrived today. Install took a few minutes longer than planned as I hadn't pushed the 2 x gap wedges in far enough and the end snapped off of one

Still managed to get them both in far enough though and inserted the clip itself. Quite a tight fit of course and required a little shifting towards the middle slightly in order to ‘latch’ into the trim gaps on the underside of the dash.

Just need the holder now and then wire in hidden USB power source - which I think is going to be placed next to the glove box, along with a very short USB power cable.

Good on you for posting about this.
I thought about going down the Brodit route as I've used them in other cars and been totally happy. They're well-designed and last for ages.

However, I didn't decide to go with this option on the Z for the reason that can be seen in your photos.
That line between the ally dash and the palstic below it is now spoiled by jamming the Brodit clip between it, making it look a bit janky imo.
It also looks like you may have scuffed your aluminium dash where your clip is (?)

I think if you're ok to risk a few scratches and don't mind how it looks like it's forced the plastics apart for a certain length around the clip then power to you, otherwise a safer bet may be a non-destructive vent clip.

Yes, I know what you mean. It does slightly ruin the clean constant of the dash-to-plastic line (dash was slightly scuffed to begin with btw). Looks more pronounced in the pictures tbh. I think once the holder is screwed on I wont notice it. Even more so with a phone in there. Will live with a whole and see if it offends!

Alternative is to screw a clip into the dash (dont want to do this), or as you say, out of a vent - but I’m slightly OCD about vents. Beyond them not being completely weight-able with holders and phones, I like to use them for heat or cold. Covering one with a phone has never sat easily with me

ALways used these, they are great.

Note though for future fittings, if you have the black dash trim you can't use the spacer as the black is a brittle laminate (yes, I chipped it!). It has to be loosened from behind to allow fitting.

All good once in though

Better picture just taken in natural light. You’ll see the ‘gap’ its created by being in place is actually pretty minimal. Think its made worse in the earlier pics by the simple fact my alu dash needs a damn good clean with some cleaner to get rid of the edge grime

Might be better in the E85/E86 section