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      06-05-2013, 11:29 AM   #1
Lurcher
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Phone/console removal?

Trying to remove the phone tray in the center console so I can gain some extra usable storage and can't figure it out.

Looking at pics on realoem - the phone tray seems to be connected at the bottom, so I looked a the complete tray itself (with the cupholders). Seems there are clips running around the edge, but could not pry out, without likely breaking something.

Help!!!!

Michael
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      06-06-2013, 05:25 AM   #2
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Hello Michael,

A month ago, I was interesting to pass few wires through the bottom of the center console and I have found an interesting thread about center console trays.

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthre...ght=phone+tray

Maybe you can get some useful information/pictures to remove your phone tray.
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      06-06-2013, 01:08 PM   #3
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This answers some questions for sure - but now how to get the darn phone caddy out...

I searched like crazy - thanks for the link. Once I figure this out - I'll post specific instructions...

Michael
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      06-08-2013, 11:46 AM   #4
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Got it out! Pictures this afternoon, tomorrow. basically, phone caddy has 6 clips that snap in from the top - not pretty just takes some force.

Owned it 2 weeks and already trying to break things....
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      06-08-2013, 10:40 PM   #5
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How in the world did you get it out? What tools did you use? Where did you apply force/pressure? I'd love to take the phone/cupholder stuff out and put the euro tray in. I have tried to pry the phone caddy out but it doesn't budge
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      06-10-2013, 05:32 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lurcher View Post
Owned it 2 weeks and already trying to break things....
Ah ah! love it!
I was thinking the same thing when I was replacing bulbs the first month and when I was about to make holes and drill the center console last week.
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      06-11-2013, 03:01 PM   #7
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HOW TO: Center console phone holder removal

So I went into this looking at the previous thread (above) with pictures for the old center console. I figured out if I used some logic and luck, I could drill out some of the retaining clips - but that's not exactly how things worked out.

So I start drilling though the top of the phone holder, and the top piece of plastic breaks off:


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Then I remove the circuit board from the wires:

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Then, pulling from the front, and twisting slightly (the secret), pop out the phone case. As you can see from the pictures, there are 6 clips on the back of the case:

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Then, remove the 4 torx screws (*either 10 or 15) and the complete case slides out - leaving this:

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There is one cable that you cannot remove the end to - the 2 long tabs. There is not enough room to push this under the console - so it's easier just to hide under the cup holder areas where it's hollow - with the end result looking like this:


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Put the cupholder covers back in (2 sizes) and go buy the one for the phone side or get the European storage console,

And your done....
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      06-12-2013, 03:50 AM   #8
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Nice pictures! and this is well explained. This can be a reference thread for phone tray removal!

Glad that you figured it out and got some extra usable storage!

What about the phone tray you removed now, what will you do with it? Is that an issue for you now that you have holes into it?

Regarding the insert, you have the choice between part 6 + 9 or part 10.
But not sure if part 10 will perfectly fit into your phone space. It seems to require the part 8 to fit.
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      06-12-2013, 01:12 PM   #9
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Yea, I'll likely get the replacement tray, once I figure out if I want/need the cup holders - well - once my wife determines if she wants to hold her drink

For now I'll go run up to the crafts store and see if I can find a piece of rubber to trim to size
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      05-20-2014, 08:41 PM   #10
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anybody replace their middle console with something other than the cup holder option. if so what did you go with. I find the cup holders hard to get to and feel an open square for storage better than dividing it between a phone holder and two non functional cup holders
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      05-20-2014, 08:54 PM   #11
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I have slightly different parts in my car.. There is an open storage bin in front of the gear shift lever (not an ashtray) and the area below the armrest has two cupholders but no phone cradle. This works well for me since the cupholders are nice for storing small items like change or keys, and the large rectangle on the other half can fit my phone and waller. Haven't felt the need to go with the large non rectangle storage area.


Pretty interesting how many variants of the center console storage area there are.
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      05-22-2014, 04:50 AM   #12
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Do i have to drill or damage it? I am leasing the 2014 but not 100% sure will I keep the car...
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      05-25-2014, 10:36 AM   #13
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You can probably work a plastic pry bar/tool around the edges to get it to pop up, just take you time and know it will likely take more force than you think
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      06-07-2014, 05:41 PM   #14
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Can someone teach me how to remove the black cable on the circuit board?
Even though it is very likely that I am going to purchase this leasing Z4, I do not want to damage it.

Lurcher,
what would your solution when you and your wife have a drink from starbucks?

Would like to confirm the order number for the Tray as well:
Is it
51169181229
or
51169181218
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Last edited by unixphone; 06-07-2014 at 09:14 PM..
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      11-17-2014, 09:47 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unixphone View Post
Can someone teach me how to remove the black cable on the circuit board?
Even though it is very likely that I am going to purchase this leasing Z4, I do not want to damage it.

Lurcher,
what would your solution when you and your wife have a drink from starbucks?

Would like to confirm the order number for the Tray as well:
Is it
51169181229
or
51169181218
Driver gets the cupholder - in-car rules A water bottle fits perfectly between the door and the seat thought, without falling out (seat all the way down and back)

Black cable just pulls off - Take a pair of pliers to it to get a good grip
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      11-16-2015, 03:23 PM   #16
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It is mighty difficult to remove the phone console! I have used a butter knife and slotted it in at the sides and edges and attempted to pry it out but to no avail.

Any tips on its removal? Can't wait to install my storage tray!
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      11-19-2015, 01:29 AM   #17
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2 pieces, top and a bottom as shown in the photos. Just have to work them out separately. Flexing/twisting them will help pop the tabs out....

Last edited by Lurcher; 12-13-2015 at 08:45 AM..
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      12-14-2015, 05:06 AM   #18
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Hi guys,

I really need some help in removing the phone console. I am aware of the 6 latches underneath, but no matter how hard i tried flexing/twisting, it just wont budge.

Any other tips? Last option would be to make some holes like what Lurcher did and wreck it out!
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      12-14-2015, 08:27 AM   #19
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Looking back at this and want to remind you there is 2 pieces, the part I drilled into and popped out, and the lower piece (shown in picture 2 & 3) that I was able to twist out
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      12-15-2015, 02:21 PM   #20
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Finally i managed to yank off the 2 pieces and inevitably broke them into pieces. They are now resting in the dumps.

Glad to have the storage tray. I must say it is a much better option than having the 2 cup holders + snap-in adapter.

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      12-19-2015, 04:28 PM   #21
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Glad to here you got it out....
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      06-20-2018, 08:00 AM   #22
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I did not have to drill anything. I have a little tool I have had for about 40 years and I put it under the adapter and pulled really hard. Up it came. Then I used the same tool again to separate the two pieces. Easy peasy.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1822/...9dbd1154_m.jpg

now I just need to wait for the oddiments tray to arrive. Should be here between July 3 and July 20.

Last edited by 155MPH; 06-20-2018 at 08:02 AM.. Reason: corrected URL and added additional txt
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