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      10-19-2023, 12:59 PM   #1
zfirstz4me
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Glovebox Mystery!

I’m not certain I’ll be able to host an image but will try. I discovered a slot/port of some kind in my glovebox. Right hand side for those of us that are in the US. I thought initially that it was a charging port for a key fob, but clearly doesn’t fit. The manual made no mention of this and an image search didn’t turn up an exact result. My best guess at this point is maybe something related to CD changer, which I don’t have. Small metal tab in the center with some guiderails all around, just about the size for an fob. Anyone know for certain what this is for??? It’s not the USB port. Once I find a place to host my image I will add it.
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      10-19-2023, 03:51 PM   #2
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You're missing a detachable cup holder so better ask whoever sold the car to you.
It looks like this and that's how it stores in the glovebox and it also slots into the side of the centre console.
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      10-19-2023, 07:33 PM   #3
zfirstz4me
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tranquility, you nailed it. That's exactly what it is. I've got the cupholder and have even removed it. I never made the connection that BMW may have designed a built in storage slot. Thank you!
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      10-19-2023, 07:53 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zfirstz4me View Post
tranquility, you nailed it. That's exactly what it is. I've got the cupholder and have even removed it. I never made the connection that BMW may have designed a built in storage slot. Thank you!
Np, I was worried the seller ripped you off but you had the cupholder all along. Good stuff.
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      11-01-2023, 06:42 PM   #5
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Do you have a picture of how it is stored in your glovebox?
I am installing a cupholder right now but like to know how to store it in the glovebox when not in use.
Thanks
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      11-07-2023, 04:02 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zfirstz4me View Post
I discovered a slot/port of some kind in my glovebox. .
It's for a flash light with an accu offered by BMW.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/354840147361
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      01-16-2025, 04:17 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WierZ View Post
Do you have a picture of how it is stored in your glovebox?
I am installing a cupholder right now but like to know how to store it in the glovebox when not in use.
Thanks
Did you find it out? I’m also interested. My car doesn’t have a cupholder and I’m thinking about retrofit it
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      01-16-2025, 08:37 PM   #8
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Here you go:

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      01-19-2025, 11:26 AM   #9
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As said 2 posts above:
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobbiZ4 View Post
It's for a flash light with an accu offered by BMW.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/354840147361
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      01-20-2025, 11:12 AM   #10
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Hmmm...so which is it ? Cupholder socket or flashlight socket ? Mine has the cupholder stored in it.
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      01-20-2025, 01:39 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Belair62 View Post
Hmmm...so which is it ? Cupholder socket or flashlight socket ? Mine has the cupholder stored in it.
In my car it's the former, maybe he's talking about a mod, there's no wiring in mine.
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      01-21-2025, 03:05 AM   #12
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Absolutely no such thing as a flashlight for the E89, never was, LHD or RHD 100% fact!! Sorry.
That is, as shown in the photos posted above, a cup holder bracket.

I've looked into retrofitting the flashlight, I've got a brand new one (you can upgrade them to LED bulbs for better light output) and the proper charge socket, but it simply doesn't fit anywhere without modification. A couple of options for a decent location would be either the drivers knee cubby (if you have the extended storage package, or retrofit the dash panel on it's own) or within the passthrough hatch (again with the extended storage or retrofit). No real decent flat surface within the glovebox to mount it, without it getting in the way too much. So I've still got it, and I probably will fit it at some point in the future.
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      01-22-2025, 01:26 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavesZed View Post
Absolutely no such thing as a flashlight for the E89, never was, LHD or RHD 100% fact!! Sorry.
That is, as shown in the photos posted above, a cup holder bracket.

I've looked into retrofitting the flashlight, I've got a brand new one (you can upgrade them to LED bulbs for better light output) and the proper charge socket, but it simply doesn't fit anywhere without modification. A couple of options for a decent location would be either the drivers knee cubby (if you have the extended storage package, or retrofit the dash panel on it's own) or within the passthrough hatch (again with the extended storage or retrofit). No real decent flat surface within the glovebox to mount it, without it getting in the way too much. So I've still got it, and I probably will fit it at some point in the future.
Add a CD changer in there and there is no room to even fit the owner books
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      02-10-2025, 05:04 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by Tangent View Post
Here you go:

Thank you so much! I just received today my brand new cupholder. I will try to retrofit it to my European car.

The thing is that I was trying to figure out how it works, and I put the cupholder inside the slot all the way in, and I almost have to call Hulk Hogan to help me out in order to remove it 🤣

Does it work by brute force? I don’t know if with the time the plastic will wear out and it will be easier to remove it? You guys can plug it and remove it easy from the main/glovebox slots?
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      02-10-2025, 05:05 PM   #15
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This is what I have. In the picture I didn’t put it all the way in. I will not do that again until I know how it works lol

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Last edited by TrueR6; 02-10-2025 at 05:07 PM..
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      02-11-2025, 01:43 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrueR6 View Post
Thank you so much! I just received today my brand new cupholder. I will try to retrofit it to my European car.

The thing is that I was trying to figure out how it works, and I put the cupholder inside the slot all the way in, and I almost have to call Hulk Hogan to help me out in order to remove it 🤣

Does it work by brute force? I don’t know if with the time the plastic will wear out and it will be easier to remove it? You guys can plug it and remove it easy from the main/glovebox slots?
It's not exactly a soft and elegant mechanism; it takes a pretty decent tug and it makes a pronounced plastic ratcheting sound when you pull it out.
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      02-11-2025, 03:36 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Tangent View Post
It's not exactly a soft and elegant mechanism; it takes a pretty decent tug and it makes a pronounced plastic ratcheting sound when you pull it out.
So is nothing wrong with the parts I bought. Indeed I expected to be a more elegant mechanism because it was pretty expensive for what it is. Maybe when it will be attached to the main console it would be easier, I hope..

Next part of the retrofit will be to try to find the slot for the glovebox. It has the holes to attach it but I can’t find the part number of the slot on RealOem. But knowing how hard it is to pull it out, maybe it will be better to store it in a bag 🤣
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