DIY: Install the dash top storage bin - Page 2 - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

john08135i · 02-11-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j8smith

A couple of people have asked for the cutting template that came with the retrofit kit. so here it is.

Can you measure the inside of the cubby for me left to right and top to bottom?
Or pics with a ruler inside it?

PROJEKM1 · 02-11-2010, 01:56 PM

Good Job! Nice and neat!

135forthewin · 02-11-2010, 03:45 PM

Can u take a picture at night? I had the airbag indentation and got a new compartment, but I don't think there's a light in it...

wkndracr · 02-12-2010, 10:05 PM

that's great! I may have to do that! Someone asked what to put in there, that would be a great place to keep your EZ-Pass or similar. A buddy used to have a car with a bin like that, and his ez-pass worked great from inside.

ianc · 02-22-2010, 12:25 PM

Very very nice, and yes, you do have brass ones!

I can think of a million things to put in there; the 135 is not huge in the interior storage space dept.

I would like to do this also, but since my car only has 250 mi. on it, it may take me awhile to gather up the 'nads.

Thanks for the great post and pics!

ianc

///M1 · 02-23-2010, 01:04 PM

Wow, that does take big cojones, cut dashboard, in proximity to airbag and other wiring, wow! Wouldn't there be danger to get rattles (even if it is just stuff like sunglasses bouncing around in there)? Wish we had a sunglass holder above the rearview mirror in the headliner...

rsjean · 02-23-2010, 01:23 PM

I think I disagree.

While I was signing the paperwork to pick up my 135i I kept watching this couple (appox age mid 50's) pouring over a beautiful X5M sitting on the fllow right next to me. Here is the really cool, blindingly fast piece of $90K M machinery and all the woman could do was keep asking the saleperson to find and show her more cubbies for storage and cups and things and more and more cup things. The husband was right there with her remarking how well thought out the 'cabin' was.

Face it - most people are really hung up on storage thingies.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135iUSN

crazy...nice chunk of value just taken...from the car..

better yet, a set of cup holders would have added more value..

larryn · 02-23-2010, 02:30 PM

I did this early last year, and it's a very nice addition to the interior. While I was there, I wired a USB cord from underneath the center console, behind the dashboard, to the bin. So, now I can charge my phone, or plug in a portable GPS, if I need it, plus have a great place to store more things, and good place for my sunglasses. I should figure a nice, factory looking, mount for my GPS though.

It's good to note that many of the EU versions of the 1 series have these bins installed from the factory.

There are no rattles from the bin itself, and there is a nubby rubber pad at the bottom of it that prevents anything from sliding around.. So, I've heard not sounds coming from the bin.

Jumpman · 02-25-2010, 10:41 AM

Ah man, good idea.

JimD · 02-25-2010, 10:49 AM

I recently bought a vibratory sander/cutter - used to only be sold by Fein - from Harbor Freight. One of the things Fein demonstrated with theirs is it is pretty hard to cut things that move with vibration (like flesh but possibly also wiring) with these tools. Might be a good tool to make the cut-out. I think I paid $35 on sale for mine (Fein is 200+).

Jim

neilq · 08-05-2010, 10:10 PM

I installed the dash storage box this weekend. Thanks j8smith for the great DIY. The cutting/installation took about 20 minutes. Convincing myself that I had the template and outline positioned correctly took about 45 minutes. It's really easy, I just got nervous about cutting a big hole in such a visible place.

I did not find the additional connector clipped to the steel tube (step 6) on my BMW-NA '09 128i. So, my only option was to tap into the glove box light using the supplied harness. However, my light turns off automatically after ~45 minutes; faster if the glove box light is also on.

135forthewin · 08-05-2010, 10:36 PM

If anyone of you guys have a "cool" service advisor and have the airbag indentation showing, they'll probably replace the whole dash and you'll get the storage compartment as well.

bluephobic(1) · 01-20-2013, 07:12 AM

on borderless printing on A4 paper the image scale should be 67% turn auto rotate off and this should be close to perfect

Webb70 · 04-24-2013, 10:13 AM

How much is the complete kit?

02-11-2010, 03:45 PM	#25
135forthewin Lieutenant Drives: sideways Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: U.S. Posts: 544 iTrader: (0)	Can u take a picture at night? I had the airbag indentation and got a new compartment, but I don't think there's a light in it... __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(1addicts.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.

02-12-2010, 10:05 PM	#26
wkndracr Private First Class Drives: '10 135i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 156 iTrader: (0)	that's great! I may have to do that! Someone asked what to put in there, that would be a great place to keep your EZ-Pass or similar. A buddy used to have a car with a bin like that, and his ez-pass worked great from inside. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT All stock except for some audio stuff Now with Cobb Stage 1

02-23-2010, 01:04 PM	#28
///M1 Brigadier General Drives: Many Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: 212/305 Posts: 3,079 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 1///M [0.00] 2008 Audi RS4 [0.00] 2000 BMW E39 M5 (sold) [0.00] 2008 BMW 135i (sold) [0.00]	Wow, that does take big cojones, cut dashboard, in proximity to airbag and other wiring, wow! Wouldn't there be danger to get rattles (even if it is just stuff like sunglasses bouncing around in there)? Wish we had a sunglass holder above the rearview mirror in the headliner... __________________ *2011 BMW E82 1///M: AW, ZPP, ZCV, HK, Sirius, Apps; Akra CF+Valve control, MadDad mids, K&N, Forge FMIC, P3gauge, EuroTails, Tint, CF Mirrors+Spoiler+Roof Wrap, 10mm H&Rs, IND grills+gills, xCDV, LUX AE 2008 Audi B7 RS 4*: Sprint Blue, Exclusive Euro Recaro Interior, Premium+Titanium Package, EPL Tune, Stasis Ohlins MS coilovers, Milltek valved exhaust+DownPipes, Stoptech SS lines, Tint, ADR V1, Lidatek, Lamin-X, Rotiform SNA 19x10" wheels, 275/30/19 PSSs, Euro flat-bottom steering wheel, JHM SSK

02-25-2010, 10:49 AM	#32
JimD Colonel Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 2,161 iTrader: (0)	I recently bought a vibratory sander/cutter - used to only be sold by Fein - from Harbor Freight. One of the things Fein demonstrated with theirs is it is pretty hard to cut things that move with vibration (like flesh but possibly also wiring) with these tools. Might be a good tool to make the cut-out. I think I paid $35 on sale for mine (Fein is 200+). 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

08-05-2010, 10:36 PM	#34
135forthewin Lieutenant Drives: sideways Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: U.S. Posts: 544 iTrader: (0)	If anyone of you guys have a "cool" service advisor and have the airbag indentation showing, they'll probably replace the whole dash and you'll get the storage compartment as well. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(1addicts.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.

02-11-2010, 01:56 PM	#24
PROJEKM1 Enlisted Member Drives: closet thing to an M1... Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: US of A Posts: 40 iTrader: (0)	Good Job! Nice and neat!

02-22-2010, 12:25 PM	#27
ianc Ex '87 Carrera Drives: '10 TiAg 6MT 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Redwood Shores, California Posts: 708 iTrader: (0)	Very very nice, and yes, you do have brass ones! I can think of a million things to put in there; the 135 is not huge in the interior storage space dept. I would like to do this also, but since my car only has 250 mi. on it, it may take me awhile to gather up the 'nads. Thanks for the great post and pics! ianc

02-23-2010, 02:30 PM	#30
larryn Major General Drives: '97 332ti, '10 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,287 iTrader: (2)	I did this early last year, and it's a very nice addition to the interior. While I was there, I wired a USB cord from underneath the center console, behind the dashboard, to the bin. So, now I can charge my phone, or plug in a portable GPS, if I need it, plus have a great place to store more things, and good place for my sunglasses. I should figure a nice, factory looking, mount for my GPS though. It's good to note that many of the EU versions of the 1 series have these bins installed from the factory. There are no rattles from the bin itself, and there is a nubby rubber pad at the bottom of it that prevents anything from sliding around.. So, I've heard not sounds coming from the bin.

02-25-2010, 10:41 AM	#31
Jumpman Lieutenant Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: . Posts: 437 iTrader: (0)	Ah man, good idea.

08-05-2010, 10:10 PM	#33
neilq Registered Drives: '09 128, '08 328, '00 Z3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 4 iTrader: (0)	I installed the dash storage box this weekend. Thanks j8smith for the great DIY. The cutting/installation took about 20 minutes. Convincing myself that I had the template and outline positioned correctly took about 45 minutes. It's really easy, I just got nervous about cutting a big hole in such a visible place. I did not find the additional connector clipped to the steel tube (step 6) on my BMW-NA '09 128i. So, my only option was to tap into the glove box light using the supplied harness. However, my light turns off automatically after ~45 minutes; faster if the glove box light is also on.

01-20-2013, 07:12 AM	#35
bluephobic(1) Inspiring the youth of tommorow... Drives: 135i Rocketship :) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: El Puerto, Spain Posts: 124 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00]	on borderless printing on A4 paper the image scale should be 67% turn auto rotate off and this should be close to perfect __________________ Yr1 135i Jet/Coral JB4/P3 ETS 7" intercooler KNN drop in filter and AFE scoops, GC camber plates, M3 front bits* apex ARC8's with PSS 245/275 M3 rear subframe bushings, other things, some pixie dust and a flux capacitor round out the package

04-24-2013, 10:13 AM	#36
Webb70 Private First Class Drives: Bmw 135i, 2 Ducati 1098's Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 165 iTrader: (0)	How much is the complete kit? __________________ Kiss French, Drive German, and Ride Italian....

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