How To Guide - F25/26 Updated Cup Holder

TEF · 07-23-2017, 09:14 AM

While my X3 has the later-style cup holder, I can't help admiring the brush aluminum trim on the center console and probably throughout the vehicle. I don't recall that being an option here in the US as we're crazy for "wood" trim. I notice that most European models of BMW come with some sort of metal-like trim which seems more in tune with a modern car than to some variety of "wood". For example, the 5 Series are often sold with a metal hexagonal design that rarely appears in the States. Just out of curiosity, are X3's sold in the UK with wood trim?

AMCross · 07-27-2017, 06:16 AM

yes you can buy uk bmw cars with the wood trim

I do agree with you it does date the car but that's my opinion

Peter_R · 07-27-2017, 06:34 AM

There are 3 wood options in the UK configurator:

Fineline Anthracite
Fineline Lightwood
Burr Walnut wood

Nito310 · 08-10-2017, 02:37 PM

Any luck getting the rest of the pictures re-posted for this DYI?

AMCross · 08-12-2017, 09:37 AM

is this the cup update that covers them when not in use

Lurcher · 08-14-2017, 09:42 AM

yes, like 3rd gen has

Smithy2014 · 08-14-2017, 10:46 AM

but unfortunately does not cover them if you use the cupholder 'tub inserts'...

Anyone managed to find tub inserts that are low enough for the slider to pass over? Sick of having to remove the tubs (with change and oddments in) into the centre armrest to use the slider - which in reality i am sliding for no reason because the contents i want to hide are in the tubs that i have just removed..

Asianoak · 07-15-2021, 10:59 PM

Great write up, just did this today and your post was extremely helpful. This combined with the updated A/C controls and it transforms the interior.

P. S. you can order all parts used of eBay. Just be patient. Think I spent maybe 150 for both, plus another 75 for the updated ac vent trim and headlight switch trim.

n00bisch · 07-17-2021, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asianoak

Great write up, just did this today and your post was extremely helpful. This combined with the updated A/C controls and it transforms the interior.

P. S. you can order all parts used of eBay. Just be patient. Think I spent maybe 150 for both, plus another 75 for the updated ac vent trim and headlight switch trim.

Nice!

Do you have before and after pictures?

Asianoak · 07-17-2021, 12:10 PM

I don't think so... but I can at least snap an after pic and post that... sure I can Google and find a pic of what it looked like stock

TK - 421 · 07-17-2021, 01:15 PM

Good to see 6 years on this guide is still helping members out 😉

Asianoak · 07-17-2021, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK - 421

Good to see 6 years on this guide is still helping members out

I literally saw this post 6 years ago when I got my X3 and forgot to order parts.

Cup holder rubber bands recently snapped on my old one which got me thinking about this thread.

Asianoak · 07-17-2021, 07:52 PM

Here's a pic I found online of how the center stack looked stock... and a pic after the new cupholders, AC/audio panel, vent trim and screen surround.

Weslsew · 07-18-2021, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asianoak

Here's a pic I found online of how the center stack looked stock... and a pic after the new cupholders, AC/audio panel, vent trim and screen surround.

is the new ac panel just plug and play?

Asianoak · 07-19-2021, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weslsew

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asianoak

Here's a pic I found online of how the center stack looked stock... and a pic after the new cupholders, AC/audio panel, vent trim and screen surround.

is the new ac panel just plug and play?

Almost, I had to use a Dremel to shave down a couple spots on the back for clearance. Literally took maybe 10 minutes to install... figure out what needed to be shaved down... then reinstall.

Sirwebster · 08-09-2021, 09:22 PM

Great write up and pictures!

F25_X3 _Tim · 08-29-2021, 06:10 AM

This is a really handy and detailed guide as I need to take my console apart again, thank you!

TK - 421 · 08-29-2021, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F25_X3 _Tim

This is a really handy and detailed guide as I need to take my console apart again, thank you!

No problem guys. You can leave an appreciation by clicking the 'appreciate' button below.

Glad to give something back to One of the best forums for us car nuts.

F25_X3 _Tim · 08-29-2021, 06:22 AM

I had not noticed the button (new to this forum) so shall use it ongoing! Keep up the good work, posts like this make forums such a useful source of info, meaning happy car nuts!

SPtotheA · 09-16-2021, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asianoak

Great write up, just did this today and your post was extremely helpful. This combined with the updated A/C controls and it transforms the interior.

P. S. you can order all parts used of eBay. Just be patient. Think I spent maybe 150 for both, plus another 75 for the updated ac vent trim and headlight switch trim.

Curious to know how you searched for this on Ebay?

Asianoak · 09-16-2021, 11:15 AM

Part number 51169301722. I think that's for left hand drive... just be careful when you order to get the right one for your vehicle.

Richyc84 · 09-17-2021, 03:26 AM

Great guide, thanks so much!

07-23-2017, 09:14 AM	#23
TEF First Lieutenant 111 Rep 377 Posts Drives: 16 X3 28d/18 540d xdrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Western PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2018 540d xdrive [0.00] 2016 X3 28d [0.00]	While my X3 has the later-style cup holder, I can't help admiring the brush aluminum trim on the center console and probably throughout the vehicle. I don't recall that being an option here in the US as we're crazy for "wood" trim. I notice that most European models of BMW come with some sort of metal-like trim which seems more in tune with a modern car than to some variety of "wood". For example, the 5 Series are often sold with a metal hexagonal design that rarely appears in the States. Just out of curiosity, are X3's sold in the UK with wood trim?
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07-27-2017, 06:16 AM	#24
AMCross Enlisted Member 2 Rep 39 Posts Drives: BMW F25 3.5d MSport LCI Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: scotland iTrader: (0)	yes you can buy uk bmw cars with the wood trim I do agree with you it does date the car but that's my opinion
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07-27-2017, 06:34 AM	#25
Peter_R Air Vice Marshall 256 Rep 1,639 Posts Drives: X1 LCI xDrive 2.0i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Somewhere in Blighty (UK) iTrader: (0)	There are 3 wood options in the UK configurator: Fineline Anthracite Fineline Lightwood Burr Walnut wood
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08-10-2017, 02:37 PM	#26
Nito310 Private First Class 46 Rep 102 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Carson, CA iTrader: (0)	Any luck getting the rest of the pictures re-posted for this DYI?
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08-12-2017, 09:37 AM	#27
AMCross Enlisted Member 2 Rep 39 Posts Drives: BMW F25 3.5d MSport LCI Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: scotland iTrader: (0)	is this the cup update that covers them when not in use
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08-14-2017, 09:42 AM	#28
Lurcher Captain 75 Rep 679 Posts Drives: 2012 z4 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Buford, GA (right side of ATL) iTrader: (0)	yes, like 3rd gen has
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08-14-2017, 10:46 AM	#29
Smithy2014 Second Lieutenant 50 Rep 219 Posts Drives: X3 2.0d msport Auto Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	but unfortunately does not cover them if you use the cupholder 'tub inserts'... Anyone managed to find tub inserts that are low enough for the slider to pass over? Sick of having to remove the tubs (with change and oddments in) into the centre armrest to use the slider - which in reality i am sliding for no reason because the contents i want to hide are in the tubs that i have just removed.. __________________ Now - LC1 20d Carbon Black Gone - F25 20d Space Grey
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07-15-2021, 10:59 PM	#30
Asianoak Lieutenant 143 Rep 451 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 & "11 X3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Southern Oregon iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 M3 [0.00]	Great write up, just did this today and your post was extremely helpful. This combined with the updated A/C controls and it transforms the interior. P. S. you can order all parts used of eBay. Just be patient. Think I spent maybe 150 for both, plus another 75 for the updated ac vent trim and headlight switch trim. __________________ Instagram: @dasianoak
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07-17-2021, 12:10 PM	#32
Asianoak Lieutenant 143 Rep 451 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 & "11 X3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Southern Oregon iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 M3 [0.00]	I don't think so... but I can at least snap an after pic and post that... sure I can Google and find a pic of what it looked like stock __________________ Instagram: @dasianoak
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07-17-2021, 01:15 PM	#33
TK - 421 There's a storm coming 253 Rep 596 Posts Drives: BMW Vader Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M135i xDrive [0.00] 2019 BMW G05 M Spor ... [0.00] 2018 540i M Sport X ... [0.00] 2018 BMW 540i M Spo ... [0.00]	Good to see 6 years on this guide is still helping members out 😉
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07-17-2021, 07:52 PM	#35
Asianoak Lieutenant 143 Rep 451 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 & "11 X3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Southern Oregon iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 M3 [0.00]	Here's a pic I found online of how the center stack looked stock... and a pic after the new cupholders, AC/audio panel, vent trim and screen surround. Attached Images __________________ Instagram: @dasianoak
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08-09-2021, 09:22 PM	#38
Sirwebster New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW 2017 x3 28i (F25) Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	Great write up and pictures!
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08-29-2021, 06:10 AM	#39
F25_X3 _Tim New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	This is a really handy and detailed guide as I need to take my console apart again, thank you!
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08-29-2021, 06:22 AM	#41
F25_X3 _Tim New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I had not noticed the button (new to this forum) so shall use it ongoing! Keep up the good work, posts like this make forums such a useful source of info, meaning happy car nuts!
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09-16-2021, 11:15 AM	#43
Asianoak Lieutenant 143 Rep 451 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 & "11 X3 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Southern Oregon iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 M3 [0.00]	Part number 51169301722. I think that's for left hand drive... just be careful when you order to get the right one for your vehicle. __________________ Instagram: @dasianoak
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09-17-2021, 03:26 AM	#44
Richyc84 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: BMW X3 2016 F25 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Great guide, thanks so much!
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