OE BMW Cup holder install / TomTom Iphone cradle install

[dela]

* How to install a BMW Cup holder in to the 1-series
* How to modify the cup holder to Iphone holder (TomTom Iphone cradle)

*Search parameters: Centre console removal, gaiter removal, armrest removal, cupholder install, TomTom Iphone cradle

There're a few pictures missing at this point and the modification of the cup holder is still in the works, but thought I would share this on the boards.
Please feel free to comment!

The intention of this guide is to show how you should proceed when you want to install the original cup holder placed besides the gear lever.

First, you need to buy the cup holder. It consists of three parts and are as follows:

* Trim
* Bracket
* Cup holder
* Screws (Didn't buy them myself since the TomTom mod left me two screws I could use, but are you not doing this, remember to buy the screws)

The parts has the following numbers:
51 16 9 122 656
51 16 9 144 632
51 16 9 122 655


Link to real OEM. Please double check your color preference, since the trim comes in three different options. (See object 20 on realoem.com)

Tools you’ll need to do this install:

Electric drill (Metal drills)
Sharp knife
Torx screwdriver (magnetic preferred)
Small flat head screw driver (a big one too is an advantage for prying one of the covers off!)
Socket wrench (size 10 head + extension)
A friend



For the navigation unit/install you will need:

Aux cable male/male
TomTom navigation unit for Iphone
Loctite Glue

I have not been able to find any detailed DIY across the message boards for the 1-series, so thought to do one myself explaining all steps needed to take the centre console out of the car and modifying it to whatever extent is suited for you.

For good measure, remove the battery connection in the trunk. I just loosened the plus connection and slid a piece of plastic between. 



Start by removing the gear knob and gaiter.

The gaiter is attached with small snaps and can be removed by pulling inwards on the Gaiter as shown by the arrows below.
Remove the gear knob. Place the lever in 2nd gear and pull hard upwards. Do not hit your self in the head =)

[Picture missing]

Continue with removing the handbrake + gaiter

Pull upwards, hard, at the point shown below. This requires force and will not feel comfortable.
When the gaiter has loosened take of the entire handbrake by loosening the remaining snaps and slide up over the handle.


Now, remove the trim around the gear lever gaiter. 
This trim is retaining by snaps engaged vertically. You’ll need to pull inwards towards the gear lever while pulling upwards. You can see/feel the trim loosen and continue to pull upwards and continue all the way around.



Now you need to remove a small piece of trim under the arm rest.
Use a flat head screw driver to pry it off on the top. It has a snap in both sides, so mirror your efforts to the other side.
Underneeth a bolt is found. Partially loosen the bolt.

Go to the backseat and start removing the arm rest.

Start by prying the trim loose with a screw driver. See below. Lift the screwdriver upwards and away from the front until the clips underneath give loose. Pull the trim off.

[Picture missing]

Loosen and remove the two screws and two bolts underneath, as seen on the picture.


Now pull the armrest backwards and off.

Proceed with loosening and removing the bolts found underneath the hand brake gaiter, the gear lever gaiter and the bolt you partially loosened earlier under the arm rest.


Now position, in this case, LHD passenger seat so you can access the trim/screw found as seen underneath. Remove the trim with the flat head screw driver (gently) and remove the screw.


Now for the hidden plugs. They are placed on either side of the trim right under the dash board. Remove the centre pin first and then the large plug (expansion plug).


Before you can remove the console, push down clutch and brake, and yank the handbrake hard. This is needed for the console to clear the handbrake. You'll find that you can pull the handbrake further by pressing down the pedals.


Unclip the plug for the 12V and the ash tray lighting.




Pry the 12V and AUX trim off and unclip the plugs for both. Notice that the AUX plug goes very tight, so use force, but pull straight!




Now, lift up the console from the rear, while pulling backwards and clearing the handbrake. Now you need your friend pulling out on the small flaps on the dash overlapping the centre console.


Now the centre console should be off, and off to cutting up your car!



Take of the metal bracket you see on the picture below, insert the cup holder bracket, and the insert the metal bracket again.
Mark the centre of the hole of the bracket, so you know where to drill, and remove both brackets.



Take a deep breath, drill some holes within the area you are certain you need to remove, and as soon as the hole/area is large enough to use your knife in, switch to this method instead. Continue to work your way outwards to the shape seen below. Double check ALL the time with the bracket (and the trim). Remove too much material and it will show when you assemble everything.



Here you see how the bracket should fit in the hole you cut!



Mount the trim by screwing it firmly in place from the bottom side.


Are you not mounting the TomTom Iphone Navi unit, you can now go back to the car and assemble everything as it came apart. Smile as you have done something your self


For the navi install I opted for a cleaner install and wires inside the console.
After I mounted the console, and before I started bolting everything down, I pulled the wires for the AUX and the 12V on the inside and let them come out under the arm rest as seen below.


The wires were longer than from just the armrest and to the gear lever, so I let the extra length loop in under the ash tray area and back as seen below.


Roughly measure out the length needed to the cup holder, but as you have extra length to pull out from under the ash tray area, this is not critical.


Wirering done. The small piece of trim is not mounted here. But to mount the trim here, cut room for the exiting wires in the side of the trim and snap it in place.



Reverse everything you have done and assemble the console again. When finished, this will be the result.



*** Hook up the battery

** Start the car

* Smile

[Xsapper]

Is it possible to remove the centre console without removing the gear selector knob? I have DCT gearbox.

[dela]

Originally Posted by Xsapper

Is it possible to remove the centre console without removing the gear selector knob? I have DCT gearbox.

I haven't tried removing a centre console with DCT trans, but I can't see why that shouldn't be possible!? The gear knob sits much lower, so could prove feasible without removing the selector knob.
But since I haven't tried it, it's all assumptions from my side....

[WonWunONE]

Bump, I'd like to see the DIY of the tomtom modded cupholder not just the trim removal

[wkndwrrr]

any updates on pictures and instructions for the tom tom cup holder mount?

[dela]

Sorry guys, I've been mad busy for the last few months and did forget about it. I'll see if I can get around to updating the guide with the missing pictures and the few missing comments on the cup holder re-build too....

[Kracken]

Holy crap! Love the oem ashtray with another power jac and closing lid as well!! My US version simply has on open big tray....ugly!
Any one try this mod already?

[nnguyen04]

i want dual cup holders only got one in the center lol.

[logyourbrain]

For installing cup holder, that I need to remove battery as well?

[dela]

Originally Posted by logyourbrain

For installing cup holder, that I need to remove battery as well?

I just took of the plus connection to avoid any circuits shorting. You can probably do without....

[JimD]

I put the idrive cup holder in my car and my wifes without disconnecting the battery. The only electrical thing you do is to unplug the connectors for the accessory socket and aux/usb port. Not necessary IMHO.

[MZWIE]

Why would you do this.

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by Xsapper

Is it possible to remove the centre console without removing the gear selector knob? I have DCT gearbox.

Doesn't look like it...but the good news is that the DCT shifter pops right off and there are just two connectors to unplug to get it out of the way.

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by MZWIE

Why would you do this.

To get a cupholder that is easily usable...just like on the iDrive models.

[AndyW]

Thx for this thread, OP. Was a pretty straightforward job and this DIY was very useful.