can I retro-fit genuine BMW cup-holders without major work?

D

dakargelb

Member
...our previous car had a pair of cup holders under the centre arm-rest, next to a useless slot for one's phone.

our current car just has a shallow tray in the same area.

Whilst the one we used to have was not ideal, it was infinitely better than none at all...

So, does BMW sell those cup-holders as an easily retrofittable part?

I'd consider other ideas too if they don't look terrible!

(PS I have attempted a forum search on this, however I didn't reach a conclusion...)

(PPS - there are no date/time markers on any posts that I can see. Are there none or do I need to check an option to display them?)
 
Yes it can be retro fitted. Take a look at part number 7 in this link:

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=LM52-EUR-06-2009-E89-BMW-Z4_30i&diagId=51_7318
 
and is this something that is inserted / fixed from above, or will the console have to be dismantled or removed to get it in?

I only ask as on my 2003 Volvo V70, the cup-holders are inserted from below, so the whole console has to come out first...
 
Mine had the phone holder thingy and the cup holders, I removed the phone holder and replaced it with a mat whilst retaining the cup holders. I did mine a while back and whilst I don't remember exactly how I did it I do know that I did not need to remove the entire center console and was able to do most of it from above. Perhaps a member with a better memory or knowledge will clarify this.
 
If you lift out the mat you should be able to see the screws that hold the tray in place.
Remember if you are ordering a new tray with cupholders to order the rubber mats for the bottoms as well.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I've just ordered the tray and mats - the mats in particular are a ridiculous price given what they are!! I'm impressed they reckon they will have them at the dealership by tomorrow as these must be a very slow selling item indeed - particularly given the price!
 
Its a good thought as those are probably more practical than the BMW ones!! :thumbsup:

Anyhow, I've paid for the BMW parts now so we shall see...
 
I was fortunate enough to already have the cup holders but I did remove the phone cradle and replace it with a genuine BMW wireless charger - in terms of removal I used the following video for guidance.
https://youtu.be/rUm9oBwLkec
20211206_130638.jpg
 
Thankfully, replacing the tray with the cup-holder insert was incredibly simple.

The tray is held in by four short T20 Torx screws and comes out with only the minimum of jiggling to free the clips.

For anyone looking to do the same, the part numbers needed are:

51169181223 plastic insert with cup holders (includes 4 new screws which aren't needed)
51169198594 round mat
51169150218 round mat
51169150224 long mat

All of the parts I fitted were new and sourced via our local BMW dealer (in Salisbury) and carry 2013 date codes!! I wish now I'd asked for a discount as I bet these don't exactly fly off the shelves... Also, they are all made in Germany - which I approve of.
 

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Much more useful space if you don't need the phone charger..forgive me if it was stated , is their an option that retains the clip in phone mount but gets rid of the coffee cup holders?
 
Roddy said:
I'm tempted to get the open tray, the phone charger and cup holders are pretty useless for me...
Click to expand...

I did the same, super easy but quite expensive considering I don't use the tray either...
 
we might all a save a few quid if we established who wanted trays and who wanted cup holders - then do some swaps :lol:

for our needs, the cup holders - even though not ideally placed (or priced !) at all - are going to be used, as they were on the previous E89.

i'm typically running Google Maps or Waze on the phone, so I don't generally need to stash much if anything in there.
 
dakargelb said:
I wish now I'd asked for a discount as I bet these don't exactly fly off the shelves.
Click to expand...
For future reference, Sopers of Lincoln do discount for the Forum and post stuff out very quickly.
 
Roddy said:
I'm tempted to get the open tray, the phone charger and cup holders are pretty useless for me...
Click to expand...

I find the cup holders quite useful but not for coffee. I use them for putting small items in like coins keys etc. that way those small items don't go sliding all over the tray and are easy to find as they are exactly where I put them when I open the armrest again.
 
I have the cup holders under the armrest. They are unuseable for cups.
My wife complains about why this BMW doesn't have proper cup holders (like on other BMW's in the front).

I don't care. If you are driving this car, coffee in a cup holder is going to spill anyway.

I use them to wind USB & power cables into instead.
 
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