Retrofit cup holder instructions wanted

H

Hosse

Member
Ive ordered the original cupholder to my E89. 51 16 2 156 851 is the partnumber. There was no install instructions in the package. My dealer cant find any instructions either..

After some searching with no results, im trying this forum.

Has anyone seen any instructions for this? This is in an left side drive Z4. The cupholder on the side, not under the armrest.

Should look like this:
 
It looks like there's a socket that needs to be installed that it then slots into.
Here's something I found on z4post:

Z4CupHolder.JPG

Looks like it's only available for LHD.
Hope this is useful.
Cheers, Dave
 
@freemadw: Yes, thats right. Ive got all the parts needed. Cupholder and socket. I need to make a hole on the side for the socket, but I can't tell exactly where..

@cookie; thanks, but that an E85. I have got an E89..;-(
 
Hosse,
I can't find anything that says where you have to make the hole, looks like it has to go through the leather...
I had a look on YouTube, lots of E85/86 videos but nothing for the E89.
Cheers, Dave
 
Hosse said:
@freemadw: Yes, thats right. Ive got all the parts needed. Cupholder and socket. I need to make a hole on the side for the socket, but I can't tell exactly where..

@cookie; thanks, but that an E85. I have got an E89..;-(
Click to expand...

IIRC those cup holders were for the American market where the cars had a pad you took out to fit the holder to the transmission tunnel with pre drilled holes.
 
I think I would be removing the centre console to find out what is underneath that you possibly have to bolt onto.
Also I think I would keep looking for more info on where exactly you have to cut before maybe messing things up.
 
+1 on taking out the console cover. It's better than having to replace it when you completely mess it up by trying to fit it blind.

I don't have drinks in the car that much and when I do I just use those in the arm rest as it's just much tidier and easier.
 
I meant to say that looking at the pics of the bracket it looks like the centre console trim has to be removed anyway to bolt the bracket down.
 
Phju! 3 hours in the garage later and Im finnished:-) I think Ill just go ahead and and make an DIY guide here, because I couldnt find any before I started..

1. OK, first og all. You dont need that much tools. This is basicly it:




Drill, Torx, plastic tools for the trim and some other basic tools.

2. So, heres my virgin beautiful leather interior, about to be abused.



3. This is all I got from my dealer. 3 parts. Holder, socket and that beige plastic to cover the mess.



4. First I removed the trim around the shifter. Just pull it gently straight up with the plastic tools. Be careful that the clips doesnt scratch the trim.




5. Then pull the gearshift handle off. Just pull it straight up firm a firm grip. Then genltly pull upp the trim with the plastic tools (the Pry Bars, I think its called).



6. Disconnect the connections. I found it easy to use a tool like this:



7. Here you can see that there a space for the socket.



8. I cutted the paper instructions that came with the parts.



9. I saw that the to marks matched perfectly the to holes in the plastic, so I guessed this was the way to use it..



10. I pulled the paper over the edge and mounted it with some tape. The I used a pencil to draw the hole.



11. Then checking if the drawings are matching the trim, and it kind of did, but it was a bit to much to the front of the car actually..



12. At this step, I suggest that you take a beer, or something stronger (at least I did!). I started to cut in the leather. A bit smaller than the drawings, incase I where totaly wrong.



13. I then drilled several holes around the draings.



14. After a lot of drilling, I finaly got a hole.



15. Then it was carving and carving with a sharp knife until everything was fitting.



16. Finaly, the beige plastic is fitting perfectly! I fitted all 4 screws (just 2 in the package..)



17. Then I reversed all steps, vaccumed the car and enjoyed the project to be done:-)



18. Perfect fit:-) I love it! AND its BMW original. No more coffee behind my shoulder, but in perfect range.



This wasnt the hardest project I have had with a car, but the cutting in the leather was a really bad part. We are crazy here in scandinavia doing this without instructions:-)
 
@nictrix; Thanks. Yes, Thats true. I forgot to mention this mysterious piece of paper that I found in one of the boxes :|
 
Hi! Can I get a little bit of help with some measurements? I have the parts, but I don't have the template paper, so I have to work around it :D
I can deduce the size of the rectangle by looking at the cover panel that goes into the hole.
I can deduce the position of the whole based on the location of the screws in this pic:
FBM9Fimg-6157.jpg

But I cannot tell how low from the top edge of the console should the hole be. Can you please measure for me the distance between the top edge and the installed cover panel (both its corners, if not parallel to the edge)?

My question is, if I am not millimeter accurate, does it make any difference? Does the holder part get fixated inside the console somewhere or I have enough margin for error?
 
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