iDrive Cup Holder

JimD · 10-30-2010, 03:26 PM

Thanks to good DIYs by AndyM (console removal) and jayparry (iDrive cupholder installation), I now have 2 good cupholders plus one marginal one. I have a Fisher on order from Ultimatecupholder for the rear which will be enough I think. Removal of the console took about an hour and a half and reinstallation about the same. I used a harbor freight vibrating saw (always on sale around $30, sometime less) to cut the opening. It is a little scary but the top piece hides any irregulatrity in your cut (as jayparry indicates). I think my cut was actually less huge and possibly cleaner than his but you can't tell once the pieces are in. I think this will be my favorite. I used a similar one in a M6 at M school and really like it. I ordered the parts from Tischer - same ones as jayparry - and cost was about $77 including $20 s&h (but with 20% off the list price of the parts). Pricey but it seems everything from BMW is. Also well made.

Went to fill up the vert. The cup holder is a little close on 5th gear upshifts. Not really in the way but I touch it if I do not have my hand closed down around the shift knob. No big deal, a drink in the other decent cup holder is a little in the way of shifting sometimes too. Either can also easily be avoided.

Haywood · 10-30-2010, 10:07 PM

So, I'm confused. Do you have an iDrive controller? If so, where did you move it to?

JimD · 10-31-2010, 07:25 AM

Sorry, I did not intend to confuse anybody. I do not have the iDrive. Because I do not have the iDrive, BMW would say I have two cup holders. But one is under the armrest so it is not very useful. I say I used to have one usable cup holder plus one somewhat usable one. I wanted two good ones.

If you get the iDrive, you lose the usable cup holder. Because of that, BMW gives you a cup holder up where 5th gear is on a manual (as illustrated in the pictures). You can buy the cup holder and the mounting pieces from a dealer and add it to a car like mine that does not have an iDrive but wants another usable cup holder. That's what I did.

Jim

ELSTL · 10-10-2012, 08:02 AM

Anyone tried to fit any of the stainless products from www.ultimatecupholders.com in your E82? Thanks

10-30-2010, 03:26 PM	#1
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	iDrive Cup Holder Thanks to good DIYs by AndyM (console removal) and jayparry (iDrive cupholder installation), I now have 2 good cupholders plus one marginal one. I have a Fisher on order from Ultimatecupholder for the rear which will be enough I think. Removal of the console took about an hour and a half and reinstallation about the same. I used a harbor freight vibrating saw (always on sale around $30, sometime less) to cut the opening. It is a little scary but the top piece hides any irregulatrity in your cut (as jayparry indicates). I think my cut was actually less huge and possibly cleaner than his but you can't tell once the pieces are in. I think this will be my favorite. I used a similar one in a M6 at M school and really like it. I ordered the parts from Tischer - same ones as jayparry - and cost was about $77 including $20 s&h (but with 20% off the list price of the parts). Pricey but it seems everything from BMW is. Also well made. Went to fill up the vert. The cup holder is a little close on 5th gear upshifts. Not really in the way but I touch it if I do not have my hand closed down around the shift knob. No big deal, a drink in the other decent cup holder is a little in the way of shifting sometimes too. Either can also easily be avoided. Attached Images __________________ 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 Last edited by JimD; 10-30-2010 at 08:28 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-30-2010, 10:07 PM	#2
Haywood I know a thing or 2 about a thing or 2... 3101 Rep 3,470 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Coupe, e39 M5, i3s Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (11) Garage List 2003 BMW e39 M5 [0.00] 1997 BMW e36 M3 [0.00]	So, I'm confused. Do you have an iDrive controller? If so, where did you move it to? __________________ 2019 Imperial Blue Metallic i3s BEV 2003 Le Mans Blue e39 M5 Dinan S1 1997 Alpine White e36 M3 (the old gal) 2013 Mineral White e92 M3 (sold ) 2014 Carbon Black 650i M-sport (sold)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-31-2010, 07:25 AM	#3
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	Sorry, I did not intend to confuse anybody. I do not have the iDrive. Because I do not have the iDrive, BMW would say I have two cup holders. But one is under the armrest so it is not very useful. I say I used to have one usable cup holder plus one somewhat usable one. I wanted two good ones. If you get the iDrive, you lose the usable cup holder. Because of that, BMW gives you a cup holder up where 5th gear is on a manual (as illustrated in the pictures). You can buy the cup holder and the mounting pieces from a dealer and add it to a car like mine that does not have an iDrive but wants another usable cup holder. That's what I did. 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
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2012, 08:02 AM	#4
ELSTL Private First Class 109 Rep 170 Posts Drives: E93 M3 6MT Jet Black Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	Anyone tried to fit any of the stainless products from www.ultimatecupholders.com in your E82? Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search