[arcticpiper]

Anyone know the (European?) part number for the storage compartment which replaces the ashtray?
I'm a non-smoking Canadian and I want to get rid of the ashtray for some much needed extra storage space.

[visor]

Eh? I just remove the plastic tray and stick my remote garage door opener in there.

[lux.sh]

Not sure if we are talking about samething here.

There is sunglass tray available for those non-smokers.
(Replaces the ashtray compartment)
I am ordering this pretty soon and was thinking of posting a DIY.

Part#
51-16-7-132-376 "Spectacles" $28.10
51-16-7-118-065 "Insert" $8.24

Can anyone find a better price? My dealer told me its not available in dealerships yet. They'll have to order those 2 parts from germany which should come within a week or two.

[jwarcd]

I just picked up the part last week, you only need:

51-16-7-132-376

because it already includes the "insert".

I was going to install it this weekend, but it is more involved than I thought. I think you have to remove alot of stuff to get at the ashtray area. I'm going to wait until I have more time.

[Meatnog]

I'd love to see a DIY for this. If you remove the ashtray for this sunglasses insert, do you lose the lighter slot?

[scottz5]

pic please

[Tierfreund]

It is screwed to the center console trim from below. So you need to take out the wood or aluminum trim:

Needed: 1 Torx T10 Screwdriver, quite a bit of muscle to loosen the trim

1) Pull out the shift knob (Pull real hard)
2) Take out the leather shift boot (just clipped in)
3) Lift the armrest (console lid) up to the upright position
4) Pull the trim part up (need to pull real hard). Start by grabbing into the shifter hole and pull upwards at the rear end. Try to lift it out rear end first
5) Turn the trim piece around and locate the 4 torx screws that hold the ashtray. The Torx is a T10
6) Unfasten the screws
7) Change ashtray for new compartment and screw it in
8) Put your car back together again by follwing the above steps in reverse order

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by Meatnog

I'd love to see a DIY for this. If you remove the ashtray for this sunglasses insert, do you lose the lighter slot?

Yes

[anthony_h]

Pics please

[Yobyot]

Originally Posted by jwarcd

I just picked up the part last week, you only need:

51-16-7-132-376

because it already includes the "insert".

I was going to install it this weekend, but it is more involved than I thought. I think you have to remove alot of stuff to get at the ashtray area. I'm going to wait until I have more time.

Yep, that's exactly my problem. I got this part number from the Japanese accessory catalog and ordered the part. But it's not a simple job. You have to separate the trim (aluminum or wood) from the current ashtray lid and somehow remove the entire trim panel on the hump (including, in my case, the iDrive controller) to replace the mechanism.

I just can't understand why BMW offers the part AFTERMARKET and not installed at the factory.

I wasted about $30 discovering this.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by Tierfreund

It is screwed to the center console trim from below. So you need to take out the wood or aluminum trim:

Needed: 1 Torx T10 Screwdriver, quite a bit of muscle to loosen the trim

1) Pull out the shift knob (Pull real hard)
2) Take out the leather shift boot (just clipped in)
3) Lift the armrest (console lid) up to the upright position
4) Pull the trim part up (need to pull real hard). Start by grabbing into the shifter hole and pull upwards at the rear end. Try to lift it out rear end first
5) Turn the trim piece around and locate the 4 torx screws that hold the ashtray. The Torx is a T10
6) Unfasten the screws
7) Change ashtray for new compartment and screw it in
8) Put your car back together again by follwing the above steps in reverse order

Tierfreund, any idea on automatic transmissions? I know it'll be very similar, but probably slight different for step 1,2? Have you done this already?

thanks!

[jwarcd]

Originally Posted by Tierfreund

It is screwed to the center console trim from below. So you need to take out the wood or aluminum trim:

Needed: 1 Torx T10 Screwdriver, quite a bit of muscle to loosen the trim

1) Pull out the shift knob (Pull real hard)
2) Take out the leather shift boot (just clipped in)
3) Lift the armrest (console lid) up to the upright position
4) Pull the trim part up (need to pull real hard). Start by grabbing into the shifter hole and pull upwards at the rear end. Try to lift it out rear end first
5) Turn the trim piece around and locate the 4 torx screws that hold the ashtray. The Torx is a T10
6) Unfasten the screws
7) Change ashtray for new compartment and screw it in
8) Put your car back together again by follwing the above steps in reverse order

Thanks!

[Sho]

Wow! It doesn't sunds an easy job to me. I would just stick my garage opener in the ashtray area by simply removing the tray.

[Tierfreund]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Tierfreund, any idea on automatic transmissions? I know it'll be very similar, but probably slight different for step 1,2? Have you done this already?

thanks!

I´ve done it, but on a MT non-I-drive car. You´ll have to improvise on the auto tranny. But I thinkt the auto shift button comes off just like the MT button. Pull upwards really hard. I-drive should not be problem, the controller can probably just be unplugged when you lift the center console trim up. I would disconnect the battery though or at least not turn on the ignition when the controller is unplugged though or you might get an error.

[highlander777]

I own a pair of oakley, will the glasses and the case fit in the slot?

would be use if anyone had a pic

[lux.sh]

Tierfreund, happen to have any pic? I also wonder how "deep" that little space is. I assume it'll be pretty deep by observing the ashtray.

thank you so much for helping us out!

[jwarcd]

Ok, I just installed it and posted a DIY with some pics here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...2609#post82609

It was easy only taking about 20 minutes.

[Meatnog]

Well, I wish I could do it, but I can't afford to lose that lighter slot. I have too many electronic toys in my car.

[MB330]

Originally Posted by Meatnog

Well, I wish I could do it, but I can't afford to lose that lighter slot. I have too many electronic toys in my car.

Did rear passenger have cigarette lighter adapter? Can you use rear passenger adapter?

[Meatnog]

Nah, the cable isn't long enough. I need it for my radar detector