Retrofit cup holder instructions wanted

[Hosse]

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:

[jts1981]

Should just be a slot for it to slide in...Your car didn't come with the slot?

[Hosse]

Nope, theres no slot in my car.. It came with the package, så I have to drill a hole myself..

[airmarc]

I read somewhere that the cup holder is only a US option fitment. So if there is no slot, I dont see any way to install it. You could cut into the console, but I wouldnt

[fmorelli]

I would ask this on the German Z4 forum ...

Filippo

[jts1981]

We Americans do love our cupholders. Truthfully I use mine more as a cell phone holder....

[Hosse]

I really want to fit this original cup holder to my Z4. Yes, I have to cut the hole my self. Anyway, if I am not happy, I can just remove the holder and the mod is almost not visible.

[Hosse]

Does anyone of you americans have this cup holder? If so, could you please take som mesaurements for me..? I only got this instruction, but I dont know where those 2 holes is supposed to be..

[jts1981]

did you buy parts 1,2, 12?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_7452

[fmorelli]

Originally Posted by jts1981

We Americans do love our cupholders. Truthfully I use mine more as a cell phone holder....

Funny. I was thinking about getting a spare cup holder and modifying it specifically to hold my cell phone.

Filippo

[Hosse]

Originally Posted by jts1981

did you buy parts 1,2, 12?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_7452

Yes, I got all 3 of them. Right color on the socket also:-)

[Hosse]

OK, so this is the day that I could damage my beloved E89 really bad.. Im going in!

[Hosse]

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:-)

[jts1981]

nice work!! Glad it all worked out for you.

[teezee]

Brave man! Well done

[fmorelli]

Nice work. It looked more intimidating than it was, it seems. I can't tell the difference from the factory original installation...

Filippo

[NoQuarter]

Gave me memories of the day I cut up my console trim in the E60 to replace the old iDrive controller with the newer version.

[Hosse]

Thanks guys:-)
I loved it driving to work today!

[davis449]

Originally Posted by fmorelli

Funny. I was thinking about getting a spare cup holder and modifying it specifically to hold my cell phone.

Filippo

I went with a KUDA mount. I can't fit a 32 oz. drink in my cup holder anymore, but that's a small sacrifice. I can still shove that 32 oz. in my center console cup holder on my way back to the office. If I'm on a road trip, 20-25 oz. it will be. My coffee cup still fits there, and that's what's important.