New iPhone 5 Cradle - Self made DIY - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

gspannu · 10-07-2012, 12:06 PM

I have managed to get a DIY cradle for the new iPhone 5 that sits in the central console and fits the new iPhone 5 perfectly (with a case).

I had the iPhone4S cradle and was very disappointed that BMW have not yet made a iPhone5 cradle and it seems we cannot expect one at least for 6 months.

So, I set upon making one myself - not exactly a cradle but something to hold the phone and connect to the USB cable without having to fiddle with the tiny lightning connector and slot it each time.

Items used:
1. Base plate of the Cradle (blanking plate)
2. Original Apple USB to Lightning cable
3. Filing tools
4. Hot Glue
5. A bit of time...

I have used the original USB to Lightning cable for the connection and this provides all features except iPod Out functionality and antennae connectivity.

The cynics amongst you might say that one can just use the cable in the USB slot and get the same functionality. Technically you are correct - but what I wanted
- the convenience of just placing my iPhone5 and sliding it into the slot (almost like a cradle)
- not having to fiddle with the lightning connector each time (trying to fit in the iPhone)
- a more aesthetically pleasing solution

Photos attached should make it clear as to what I have done.

Happy to field any questions..

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Silververtu · 10-07-2012, 01:10 PM

Great job! Nice and creative

XDEEDUBBX · 10-07-2012, 07:11 PM

very nice!

ATOMBOY · 10-07-2012, 10:22 PM

Well done!

bringonthenite · 10-08-2012, 07:02 AM

Great job!!!

gspannu · 10-08-2012, 08:19 AM

Silververtu
XDEEDUBBX
ATOMBOY
bringonthenite

Thank you...

Smartie2 · 10-11-2012, 06:07 AM

Take That?!

Ratcliffe33 · 01-17-2013, 08:24 AM

very nice !

Elwood74 · 01-17-2013, 08:40 AM

Performed this within a month of owning. Great Idea!

Couple of tips for 1ers.

-Getting the cable routed through the back of the armrest is possible. If you remove the back and loosen the 3 mounting bolts, you can route the wire through the back and then under the center console between the seats.

-The place the phone goes in is tight and there is not much space for fat fingers to grab the phone and get it back up. Put a riser underneath ~3/16"thick and the problem is solved. My riser stopped short of the front so I could get my finer under the edge a bit. But through constant use now, I find it not necessary. It'll look better if you just raise the entire deck.

Riser is a thin sheet of wood covered in adhesive backed felt. Put in place with hot glue gun.

10-07-2012, 12:06 PM	#1
gspannu Second Lieutenant Drives: F10 2012 and E92 2009 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Winchester (UK) Posts: 210 iTrader: (0)	New iPhone 5 Cradle - Self made DIY I have managed to get a DIY cradle for the new iPhone 5 that sits in the central console and fits the new iPhone 5 perfectly (with a case). I had the iPhone4S cradle and was very disappointed that BMW have not yet made a iPhone5 cradle and it seems we cannot expect one at least for 6 months. So, I set upon making one myself - not exactly a cradle but something to hold the phone and connect to the USB cable without having to fiddle with the tiny lightning connector and slot it each time. Items used: 1. Base plate of the Cradle (blanking plate) 2. Original Apple USB to Lightning cable 3. Filing tools 4. Hot Glue 5. A bit of time... I have used the original USB to Lightning cable for the connection and this provides all features except iPod Out functionality and antennae connectivity. The cynics amongst you might say that one can just use the cable in the USB slot and get the same functionality. Technically you are correct - but what I wanted - the convenience of just placing my iPhone5 and sliding it into the slot (almost like a cradle) - not having to fiddle with the lightning connector each time (trying to fit in the iPhone) - a more aesthetically pleasing solution Photos attached should make it clear as to what I have done. Happy to field any questions.. __________________ ~~~ 2014 535D Luxury on order, 2012 520D Saloon F10, 2009 330D Coupe E92 ~~~
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10-07-2012, 01:10 PM	#2
Silververtu Lieutenant Drives: 2013 550i M Sport Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: US of A Posts: 444 iTrader: (3)	Great job! Nice and creative __________________ 2013 550i M Sport Gone but not forgotten: 2006 2.0T A4 Avant, 2007 Z4 Roadster 3.0si, 2006 M Roadster

10-08-2012, 08:19 AM	#6
gspannu Second Lieutenant Drives: F10 2012 and E92 2009 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Winchester (UK) Posts: 210 iTrader: (0)	Silververtu XDEEDUBBX ATOMBOY bringonthenite Thank you... __________________ ~~~ 2014 535D Luxury on order, 2012 520D Saloon F10, 2009 330D Coupe E92 ~~~

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10-07-2012, 07:11 PM	#3
XDEEDUBBX Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 535I Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angelz Posts: 1,621 iTrader: (10)	very nice!

10-07-2012, 10:22 PM	#4
ATOMBOY Second Lieutenant Drives: F10 520D Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Taiwan Posts: 235 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW F10 520D [0.00]	Well done!

10-08-2012, 07:02 AM	#5
bringonthenite Private First Class Drives: 2013 335i XDrive M sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 187 iTrader: (0)	Great job!!!

10-11-2012, 06:07 AM	#7
Smartie2 New Member Drives: E60 520d M Sport Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: UK Posts: 11 iTrader: (0)	Take That?!

01-17-2013, 08:24 AM	#8
Ratcliffe33 New Member Drives: BMW 118D Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: South Wales Posts: 7 iTrader: (0)	very nice !

01-17-2013, 08:40 AM	#9
Elwood74 Private Drives: 2013 135is Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: NJ Posts: 65 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 135is [5.00] 89 BMW 325i [0.00]	Performed this within a month of owning. Great Idea! Couple of tips for 1ers. -Getting the cable routed through the back of the armrest is possible. If you remove the back and loosen the 3 mounting bolts, you can route the wire through the back and then under the center console between the seats. -The place the phone goes in is tight and there is not much space for fat fingers to grab the phone and get it back up. Put a riser underneath ~3/16"thick and the problem is solved. My riser stopped short of the front so I could get my finer under the edge a bit. But through constant use now, I find it not necessary. It'll look better if you just raise the entire deck. Riser is a thin sheet of wood covered in adhesive backed felt. Put in place with hot glue gun.