BMW umbrella retrofit

JimD · 12-25-2011, 09:13 PM

My daughter got me a umbrella in a holder from BMW for Christmas. The umbrella is nice, good sized but folds up very compact. The holder is also well made and attaches to the carpet on the side of the tunnel in the passengers footwell. It's a little hard to get the screws in but I have a couple tips that will help.

First, the paper template to hold the screws in position is much too flimsy. Use it for a pattern to cut one out of the box the umbrella comes in. Second, the plastic screws are too fragile to work. Torque a little on them and they break. I broke both and just used #8 sheet metal screws about 1/2 inch long with a washer under the head. If you put them through a tight hole in the cardboard piece you can hold them in position much easier and then tear off the cardboard.

I hope this helps somebody. Nice little mod.

Jim

Harlequin · 12-25-2011, 11:26 PM

If the umbrella holder is anything like the other OEM equipment that can go there (like the cargo net/pouch thing that I installed) then the plastic screws are not meant to go into the metal.

They are just carpet screws and if you puncture the carpet (using the template) with a hole punch or a box knife first then they go in fine and are more than sufficient...

JimD · 12-26-2011, 07:24 AM

I used a scratch awl to make a hole in the carpet but the screws still broke and before I really had them close to tight. I'm glad if they worked for you but they didn't come close to working for me. I agree that they only fasten to carpet but seem inadequate for even that.

Jim

Harlequin · 12-26-2011, 07:26 AM

Hmm... could be that they just weren't strong enough for the umbrella holder.... the cargo net that I put on weighs almost nothing...

That or you got some defective ones...

pinmagic · 12-27-2011, 04:24 PM

I have the umbrella. One of the supplied screws went in just fine, but the other was a bear. Finally got it in.

12-25-2011, 09:13 PM	#1
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	BMW umbrella retrofit My daughter got me a umbrella in a holder from BMW for Christmas. The umbrella is nice, good sized but folds up very compact. The holder is also well made and attaches to the carpet on the side of the tunnel in the passengers footwell. It's a little hard to get the screws in but I have a couple tips that will help. First, the paper template to hold the screws in position is much too flimsy. Use it for a pattern to cut one out of the box the umbrella comes in. Second, the plastic screws are too fragile to work. Torque a little on them and they break. I broke both and just used #8 sheet metal screws about 1/2 inch long with a washer under the head. If you put them through a tight hole in the cardboard piece you can hold them in position much easier and then tear off the cardboard. I hope this helps somebody. Nice little mod. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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12-25-2011, 11:26 PM	#2
Harlequin Brigadier General 331 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: F32 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia BMW Club QLD Member iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 428i M-Sport [8.40] 2012 1M Coupé [9.25] 2011 135i M-Sport [9.14]	If the umbrella holder is anything like the other OEM equipment that can go there (like the cargo net/pouch thing that I installed) then the plastic screws are not meant to go into the metal. They are just carpet screws and if you puncture the carpet (using the template) with a hole punch or a box knife first then they go in fine and are more than sufficient... __________________
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12-26-2011, 07:24 AM	#3
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I used a scratch awl to make a hole in the carpet but the screws still broke and before I really had them close to tight. I'm glad if they worked for you but they didn't come close to working for me. I agree that they only fasten to carpet but seem inadequate for even that. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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12-26-2011, 07:26 AM	#4
Harlequin Brigadier General 331 Rep 4,021 Posts Drives: F32 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Brisbane, Australia BMW Club QLD Member iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 428i M-Sport [8.40] 2012 1M Coupé [9.25] 2011 135i M-Sport [9.14]	Hmm... could be that they just weren't strong enough for the umbrella holder.... the cargo net that I put on weighs almost nothing... That or you got some defective ones... __________________
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12-27-2011, 04:24 PM	#5
pinmagic The Only Sane One Here 61 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: 135i Convertible Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (1)	I have the umbrella. One of the supplied screws went in just fine, but the other was a bear. Finally got it in. __________________ 2011 135i VERT SGM/SB/MOONLIGHT - ED - with every single friggin' option they offered.
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