Cup holders

MPBK · 12-19-2011, 03:32 PM

Without the iDrive knob, my 135i came with 2 cup holders in the middle console.
Problem is... because of the geometry of the console, one of the cup holders is smaller than the other. It doesn't fit the all-American McDonalds drink after you've said the magic word "Supersize".

In the showroom I saw a 135i with a removable cup holder that plugs in a hole on the console. I'm guessing that comes with the car if you ordered it with iDrive. Something like this...

Does anyone know if I can retrofit that cup holder to fit my console, which doesn't have the hole?
Why oh why didn't BMW include the hole on all cars so that we can give them more money on accessories?

ec1c173 · 12-19-2011, 04:06 PM

I don't think you have to retro fit it. My car came with the hole to plug in for the cup holder. just need to order one from dealership, i believe i bought it for around 40 dollars.

JimD · 12-19-2011, 05:41 PM

If you go to realOEM you can get the part numbers for the parts and order them from Tischer or go to your friendly BMW dealership. I did it and I think it was around $70. Not cheap but it seems not much involving BMWs is cheap. You have to pull the console to install it but that is simpler than you would think. There is a good DIY on pulling the console. Once the console is out, it is pretty apparent apparent where the base for the cup holder mounts. Your hole doesn't have to be real neat because the top part of the mount covers it.

I am glad I did it. It is my favorite cup holder. It's nice to have two usable ones.

Jim

MPBK · 12-19-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimD

If you go to realOEM you can get the part numbers for the parts and order them from Tischer or go to your friendly BMW dealership. I did it and I think it was around $70. Not cheap but it seems not much involving BMWs is cheap. You have to pull the console to install it but that is simpler than you would think. There is a good DIY on pulling the console. Once the console is out, it is pretty apparent apparent where the base for the cup holder mounts. Your hole doesn't have to be real neat because the top part of the mount covers it.

I am glad I did it. It is my favorite cup holder. It's nice to have two usable ones.

Jim

I found the DIY. Will look into that. Thanks.

MPBK · 12-19-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ec1c173

I don't think you have to retro fit it. My car came with the hole to plug in for the cup holder. just need to order one from dealership, i believe i bought it for around 40 dollars.

Yes I do need to retrofit.
Just because your car came with the hole does not help me. Mine didn't.

MZWIE · 12-20-2011, 09:32 AM

Not supossed to eat or drink in the car.

TX78666 · 12-20-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e34m5

Not supossed to eat or drink in the car.

We test drove a GTI, a few years back. It was after we were completely turned off by the new 3-series. My wife or I commented that "at least the cup holders don't eject from the dash." The salesperson replied "yeah, the Germans don't think of a car as a place to have breakfast."

I love that line.

Prof T · 12-21-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimD

If you go to realOEM you can get the part numbers for the parts and order them from Tischer or go to your friendly BMW dealership. I did it and I think it was around $70. Not cheap but it seems not much involving BMWs is cheap. You have to pull the console to install it but that is simpler than you would think. There is a good DIY on pulling the console. Once the console is out, it is pretty apparent apparent where the base for the cup holder mounts. Your hole doesn't have to be real neat because the top part of the mount covers it.

I am glad I did it. It is my favorite cup holder. It's nice to have two usable ones.

Jim

X2. Easy install and it will get used.

dtwyim · 12-21-2011, 08:21 PM

Just a word of caution. That cup holder has a little clip that breaks off easy.

jkoral · 12-21-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e34m5

Not supossed to eat or drink in the car.

+1

I don't eat or drink anything in my car, although I do occasionally go through drive through to pick up food for the kids at home. I'm loathe to actually use the cup holders because drips from fountain soda leave sticky rings in the bottom of the cup holder. Grrr...

I actually hated the console mounted cup holder and originally wished to replace the console to get rid of the ugly bracket (I removed the cup holder the first day I got the car). I eventually put it back in when I discovered it made a great cell phone holder so I can see navigation or SpeedView app on my phone while driving.

KingOfJericho · 12-22-2011, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtwyim

Just a word of caution. That cup holder has a little clip that breaks off easy.

Bingo. Mine breaks off ALL THE TIME. In fact, to the OP, if you put even a large coffee cup (nothing even close to the supersize you mentioned) it will break the clip right off and you'll have to search around the passenger foot well for it.

OT, you should be drinking water, nothing that comes in a super size is healthy. Please don't let your next thread be about the bolsters being uncomfortable.

JimD · 12-22-2011, 07:38 AM

I've had no problems with the clip breaking in the year or two I've used it. I do not put real large cups in it, however. I'm not sure what exactly would break it - but I do not doubt it happens.

Jim

KingOfJericho · 12-22-2011, 07:47 AM

Any cup or water bottle that *just* fits will break the clip.

MPBK · 12-22-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkoral

+1

I don't eat or drink anything in my car, although I do occasionally go through drive through to pick up food for the kids at home. I'm loathe to actually use the cup holders because drips from fountain soda leave sticky rings in the bottom of the cup holder. Grrr...

I actually hated the console mounted cup holder and originally wished to replace the console to get rid of the ugly bracket (I removed the cup holder the first day I got the car). I eventually put it back in when I discovered it made a great cell phone holder so I can see navigation or SpeedView app on my phone while driving.

That is a terrible place for a navi. You shouldn't be looking down when driving.

MPBK · 12-22-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Bingo. Mine breaks off ALL THE TIME. In fact, to the OP, if you put even a large coffee cup (nothing even close to the supersize you mentioned) it will break the clip right off and you'll have to search around the passenger foot well for it.

OT, you should be drinking water, nothing that comes in a super size is healthy. Please don't let your next thread be about the bolsters being uncomfortable.

LOL on the bolsters.
Mine are adjustable. :shhh:

JHOOPS2 · 12-22-2011, 10:09 AM

I don't have iDrive, and mine came with the cup holder preinstalled. Color me lucky. I use it for everything from a wallet holder, cup holder, phone holder, etc.

jkoral · 12-22-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPBK

That is a terrible place for a navi. You shouldn't be looking down when driving.

It's an excellent place actually. It's no lower than the radio and I don't have to stare at the map to follow directions, just rely on voice command. A quick glance is occasionally helpful.

I only occasionally use navigation, but the point being that this side console cup holder is an excellent place to put your phone.

Tom K. · 12-22-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimD

I've had no problems with the clip breaking in the year or two I've used it. I do not put real large cups in it, however. I'm not sure what exactly would break it - but I do not doubt it happens.

Jim

Same here. We only carry 1/2 liter bottles of water and have had no problems - except on spirited cornering which is why secured bottle caps are important.

I still preferred in in dash holders in my Z4 as they were right in front of the vents which could be used to cool the water on a hot day.

Tom

12-19-2011, 03:32 PM	#1
MPBK Everyday I'm shuffling 449 Rep 1,098 Posts Drives: '12 SG 135i DCT; '18 MG M2 DCT Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Cup holders Without the iDrive knob, my 135i came with 2 cup holders in the middle console. Problem is... because of the geometry of the console, one of the cup holders is smaller than the other. It doesn't fit the all-American McDonalds drink after you've said the magic word "Supersize". In the showroom I saw a 135i with a removable cup holder that plugs in a hole on the console. I'm guessing that comes with the car if you ordered it with iDrive. Something like this... Does anyone know if I can retrofit that cup holder to fit my console, which doesn't have the hole? Why oh why didn't BMW include the hole on all cars so that we can give them more money on accessories? Last edited by MPBK; 12-19-2011 at 03:40 PM..
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12-19-2011, 04:06 PM	#2
ec1c173 Banned 22 Rep 209 Posts Drives: AW 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: 626 iTrader: (1)	I don't think you have to retro fit it. My car came with the hole to plug in for the cup holder. just need to order one from dealership, i believe i bought it for around 40 dollars.
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12-19-2011, 05:41 PM	#3
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	If you go to realOEM you can get the part numbers for the parts and order them from Tischer or go to your friendly BMW dealership. I did it and I think it was around $70. Not cheap but it seems not much involving BMWs is cheap. You have to pull the console to install it but that is simpler than you would think. There is a good DIY on pulling the console. Once the console is out, it is pretty apparent apparent where the base for the cup holder mounts. Your hole doesn't have to be real neat because the top part of the mount covers it. I am glad I did it. It is my favorite cup holder. It's nice to have two usable ones. 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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12-20-2011, 09:32 AM	#6
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	Not supossed to eat or drink in the car.
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12-21-2011, 08:21 PM	#9
dtwyim Captain 52 Rep 874 Posts Drives: BMW no more Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Just a word of caution. That cup holder has a little clip that breaks off easy.
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12-22-2011, 07:38 AM	#12
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I've had no problems with the clip breaking in the year or two I've used it. I do not put real large cups in it, however. I'm not sure what exactly would break it - but I do not doubt it happens. 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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12-22-2011, 07:47 AM	#13
KingOfJericho Major General 2452 Rep 7,341 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [5.26]	Any cup or water bottle that just fits will break the clip. __________________ The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi \| 2010 S4 Sold \| 2010 BMW 135i Retired \| 2006 Lotus Exige Sold
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12-22-2011, 10:09 AM	#16
JHOOPS2 AKA HISSMAN 34 Rep 888 Posts Drives: 2009 SG 135i Coupe' Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (5)	I don't have iDrive, and mine came with the cup holder preinstalled. Color me lucky. I use it for everything from a wallet holder, cup holder, phone holder, etc.
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