[abeardo83]

Holy Thread Resurrection Batman!!

[bjf66]

Now the real question is, I have the tray with the "felt" like lining.

I would like to change it to the cupholder and was wondering has anyone done that?

Would it be possible to do without replacing the entire center console?

[abeardo83]

You can rip the bits out - I've done it myself. It's not pretty when you do it, but it doesn't leave the body of the center console damaged.

[JP's BMW]

Originally Posted by SoYank

If you want to remove the adapter, press the button on the front end and pull up at the back.
If you want to remove the part the adapter fits you need to remove the whole console. The part snaps into the console using barbed tabs and you need to squeeze and push to unsnap them from the console. Removing the cabling is no problem since the two cables plug into connector beneath the handbrake. It's those damned barbs that cause all the grief.

Also, the area underneath is unfinished. There is a rubber tray that will fit in there but I don't have the part number at hand (it's on the bottom of the item at work).

Edit: The part number is: 51167118064

This is on my list to do also and this is the correct info on how to do it

[urvang]

Originally Posted by JJ0063

That's strange, literally done this an hour ago then log on to see this thread.

Had a spare rubber insert from when I fitted leather to my old 320D so thought I'd put that in as I only use the Bluetooth & don't need the cradle.

I just popped the cradle out from the top with a tiny flat head.. No damage bar a scratch on the corner of the cradle which il be binning unless I find a cheap iPhone 6 holder!

Hey, can you explain exactly how you pop the cradle out from top?

I can insert a flat head screwdriver on the two sides of the cradle, but wasn't able to pop it out. It feels like I'll break something if I use any more force.

Any tips?
Did you have to do any other steps before trying to pop it out?
Where exactly did you insert the screwdriver -- side, front, back?
What exactly is ur car model and trim?

[urvang]

Originally Posted by urvang

Hey, can you explain exactly how you pop the cradle out from top?

I can insert a flat head screwdriver on the two sides of the cradle, but wasn't able to pop it out. It feels like I'll break something if I use any more force.

Any tips?
Did you have to do any other steps before trying to pop it out?
Where exactly did you insert the screwdriver -- side, front, back?
What exactly is ur car model and trim?

Actually, never mind. Just needed to apply more pressure on and pull out from the two sides.

[ebswift]

Old thread but who needs a new thread when the old one is the definitive solution? Thanks for the info, it did indeed take a fair bit of force to remove that cradle, but it is completely useless and will be going in the bin. I had to get some way of feeding a bluetooth AUX cable into the compartment from the dash. I ended up with the top vents pulled out, the aircon controller and the radio (all easy stuff). From there, fed everything down and through, and along the driver's side of the centre console, up under the handbrake, and ultimately up through where the cradle came out. I had to do it twice, I was a few inches short with the cable, I was wrapped around something up at the dash end, but second time around I made the length. I also ordered the storage tray, so thanks for the part number! The bluetooth cable will come up and out of the rear of that tray, if need-be I can cut a little slot to let it through without letting other stuff in.

At the end of this little exercise, I have a nice BTC450 bluetooth device hooked into AUX with no loose cables, I have it stuck to the dash on a sticky pad just below the start button. It works great for voice-controlling my android phone and music & phone quality is excellent.

[Gangsta]

I just managed to pull this blighter out, I'm surprised how some you have managed to remove it with out damage. I want to remove the wiring that's was connecting to it now, does it go to the CIC or the TCU at the back? My cars got factory Bluetooth SA633 which I'm replacing with 6NF. I already have the cables from Combox routed to the Armrest.

[lilg1993]

Originally Posted by Gangsta

I just managed to pull this blighter out, I'm surprised how some you have managed to remove it with out damage. I want to remove the wiring that's was connecting to it now, does it go to the CIC or the TCU at the back? My cars got factory Bluetooth SA633 which I'm replacing with 6NF. I already have the cables from Combox routed to the Armrest.

how many cables did you disconnect from the unit? did you have 2 or 3 cables?

[lloydie]

Was two cables on mine, and I have factory Bluetooth.
Pull the handbrake leather gaitor off and they are right there, but I cant tell you where they go.

[lilg1993]

Originally Posted by lloydie

Was two cables on mine, and I have factory Bluetooth.
Pull the handbrake leather gaitor off and they are right there, but I cant tell you where they go.

hmm, seems like everyone had 2 cables connected to theirs, but mine had a third cable connected to the bottom of the cradle that runs to the passenger side and towards the rear of the car

I ripped the chip out of the cradle but left the wires in for the time being. I disconnected the 2 in the area under the handbrake, but for some reason I don't want to cut the 3rd one out. even tho its completely disconnected form the cradle chip and all the car systems work, I'm kinda nervous for some reason lol.

I brought the car to my cousins shop to have some work done on it, and mentioned the wire to him. he said it just runs to like the trunk and that he would take it out, so oh well

[SingleturboVert]

Since people keep bumping the post, can someone explain what this cradle does exactly? Apparently worthless but can it be re-purposed in some way? The cables that is? My car doesn't have connected drive and I thought of retrofitting some of the bluetooth streaming features which my car doesn't have.

[mrbubba]

Excellent, will have another go at mine, as I couldn't get it out!

[thesanchez]

For anyone that is interested, I created a DIY tutorial for this a while ago. Some people might find it useful.

[Si335d]

This was one of the first "mods" I done on the car. It's alot neater under the armrest now. It did take quite a bit of force to get then phone cradle out..

[thesanchez]

Originally Posted by Si335d

This was one of the first "mods" I done on the car. It's alot neater under the armrest now. It did take quite a bit of force to get then phone cradle out..

Yeah, I remember having to apply a decent amount of force to get it out!

[craig2859]

does anyone have the part number for the rubber try insert to fit after removing the cradle out of an E92?

[Robbie200]

Originally Posted by craig2859

does anyone have the part number for the rubber try insert to fit after removing the cradle out of an E92?

51167118064.

About £15 from eBay.

[craig2859]

Originally Posted by Robbie200

51167118064.

About £15 from eBay.

thank you

[craig2859]

Originally Posted by SingleturboVert

My car doesn't have connected drive

If you have connected Drive - does this need to stay in then?

I do and was going to rip it out at the weekend ..... worried now?

[Paul1966]

*bump*
lol have wanted to do something with the phone dock for a while,
this looks cool & will defo be more useful !
there are also plenty of youTube vids now showing how to do it !

However...
can I fit a USB socket to the tray ??
it would be cool to charge my phone....
but I'm also thinking that it should be possible to have a full function USB
which would open a whole host of options,
i.e. from using the car antenna for calls to using a media SSD via car tracker...

thanks in advance
Paul

[Andystobbs]

I think the best replacement would be a wireless charger base. Paul 1966 you're basically looking to emulate option 6FL.