11-13-2011, 12:08 PM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
3
Rep 47
Posts |
Retrofit - Drivers Cubby Draw
After owning a BMW 320 and 2 months ago upgrading to the fantastic X3 F25 m Sport, i was missing the drivers cubby that comes with the 'Extended storage' option. There is currently no retrofit kit and the dealer said it cannot be fitted as if not specified as option there would be no room at the rear of blank. I was not going to be defeated and ordered the drivers cubby (£41 inc. postage) from another dealer and set about the brand new dash with a dremel. Here are the photo's and the final completed project. Took about 1 hour to complete and 48 hours of building up the courage to attack the dash.
First was to make up a template of the dash where the box is to be mounted. Then once this fits make a cut out of the cubby and ensure it fits properly. Undo the 2 fixing screws under the dash and pull the lower section down, this allows you to feel under the dash to ensure there is nothing behind it. Once this is completed using masking tape, place strips over the dash and mark out the cut out on the dash. Now this is where i went a bought a dremel and used the same bit that cuts out dry walls etc. This make a fantastic mess and requires a lot of vacuuming. As you can see from the photos. This is the dangerous part better to remove too little than too much. Ensure the dremel goes through both the dash and the rear plastic covering. The edge is very good if the dremel is on half speed, but again its trail and error. Then its a trial and error and slowly removing the dash edge until the new box fits and clips into place. I now have a place to put my house keys etc when i drive off and now my car is complete as it should have been. For the money we all pay for the X3 i think this should be standard!! Richard
__________________
BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d M Sport . . Space Grey . . 368M . . Oyster Leather . . Fine line Wave trim . . PRO Multimedia Package . . Visibility package . . . Lumbar Support seats . . folding mirrors . . DAB radio . . business speakers . . split rear seats . . . Reversing Camera with Top View . . . Variable Damper Control . . . Auto . . . Heated Front Seats . . . Mobile App
|
11-13-2011, 12:15 PM | #2 |
Lieutenant
57
Rep 554
Posts
Drives: 335D MSport 2016
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ludlow
|
That was brave in a new car. Glad I ordered extended storage!!
Congratulations on a neat job |
Appreciate
0
|
11-13-2011, 01:12 PM | #4 |
Major
52
Rep 1,089
Posts |
You absolute NUTTER, you must be freaking CRAZY!
Great job and bar the dash dandruff it is an invisible fix Would have made a great post if it had gone pete tong I did use this cubby draw a lot in my old 5 series and dont know why it isnt standard issue
__________________
BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE Black Sapphire | Oyster Leather | Fineline Sienna Wood | 307 V Spokes | Auto | Prof Multimedia Package | xLine Package | Xenons | Business Radio | Sports Steering Wheel | Sports Seats | Panoramic Sunroof | Sun Protection Glass | Sun Blinds | Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille | Chrome Exhaust Trim | Mudflaps |
Appreciate
0
|
11-13-2011, 03:45 PM | #8 |
Criminally Insane
53
Rep 1,464
Posts
Drives: Like a Demon!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia
|
Lol
I'm amazed it isn't a standard feature. I haven't seen one in Oz that doesn't have the drawer. (but, the quality of the compartment door is flimsy compared to the one in my Z4.. A bit disappointing as it is not always easy to close. You have to make sure your hand stays away from the opening handle or else the latch doesn't engage and it falls open again. Correction. Frustrating. )
__________________
Dr Stig 2010 Z4 35is 2011 X3 30d M Sport Australia |
Appreciate
0
|
11-14-2011, 01:44 AM | #12 |
First Lieutenant
8
Rep 379
Posts |
Well Done, Great Job.
__________________
BMW F25 X3 xDrive20d SE
Alpine White, Black Leather, HUD, Auto, Pro media, Visibility, Climate Comfort,Storage, Cold weather Packs, Pro Loudspeaker system, Sun Protection Glass, Electric Adjust Front Seats, Reversing Camera with Top View, 19" 309's,Variable Damper Control,Variable sport steering, Sports Seats, Sports Steering Wheel. Re-ordered 27/7/11, Arrived 28/9/11 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-14-2011, 03:12 AM | #13 |
Captain
135
Rep 753
Posts
Drives: 2020 X5 M50i
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Berthoud, CO
|
Nicely done. I would not have had the courage to undertake that on a new X3.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-18-2011, 11:37 AM | #14 |
Enlisted Member
3
Rep 47
Posts |
Thanks for all the comments, £80 sounds tempting, but my hands would be shaking that much incase i damaged someone else's pride a joy. Had the box now for a week and is well worth the trouble it caused, Richard
__________________
BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d M Sport . . Space Grey . . 368M . . Oyster Leather . . Fine line Wave trim . . PRO Multimedia Package . . Visibility package . . . Lumbar Support seats . . folding mirrors . . DAB radio . . business speakers . . split rear seats . . . Reversing Camera with Top View . . . Variable Damper Control . . . Auto . . . Heated Front Seats . . . Mobile App
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-18-2011, 12:24 PM | #16 |
Enlisted Member
3
Rep 47
Posts |
Thanks cooldude00 this missing cubby box is a tempting retrofit business so what would people pay to get this fitted and have a person drill out their dash?
__________________
BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d M Sport . . Space Grey . . 368M . . Oyster Leather . . Fine line Wave trim . . PRO Multimedia Package . . Visibility package . . . Lumbar Support seats . . folding mirrors . . DAB radio . . business speakers . . split rear seats . . . Reversing Camera with Top View . . . Variable Damper Control . . . Auto . . . Heated Front Seats . . . Mobile App
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-18-2011, 01:34 PM | #17 |
Major
52
Rep 1,089
Posts |
Ask youself the cost of a new dash when it goes wrong!
__________________
BMW F25 X3 xDRIVE 20d SE Black Sapphire | Oyster Leather | Fineline Sienna Wood | 307 V Spokes | Auto | Prof Multimedia Package | xLine Package | Xenons | Business Radio | Sports Steering Wheel | Sports Seats | Panoramic Sunroof | Sun Protection Glass | Sun Blinds | Folding Ext. Mirrors + Titanium Grille | Chrome Exhaust Trim | Mudflaps |
Appreciate
0
|
09-24-2012, 07:56 PM | #19 |
Lieutenant Colonel
107
Rep 1,511
Posts |
I remember someone posting that this modification was possible and actually undertaken by one brave sole.
I got thinking about it when I installed the euro rear fog light switch and noticed the large vacant spot behind the dash. It really doesn't look too difficult. hmmm Did the cubby come with all the mounting hardware? How was it affixed to the dash?
__________________
2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
Last edited by lbjgh; 09-25-2012 at 07:06 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-25-2012, 04:09 AM | #22 |
Nuclear Chief of the Watch
120
Rep 637
Posts |
A brave guy - will look to give this a go but not for a year or two!
Only £40 too... thats cheap for BMW! lol...
__________________
BMW i3 (BEV) 2014. . Capparis White. . Park Assist, Comfort Access, Enhanced USB
BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE 2017. . . . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . Electric Seats Canon 70D 500mm, 85mm, 40mm, 24mm Sony QX10 & GoPro Hero 3 |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Tags |
diy, storage |
|
|