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      10-25-2016, 01:14 PM   #45
Lotus99
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dreamingX3 View Post
Yes, that's the stuff. I used 1/8". I'm pretty sure I got in on e-bay; do a search. If I have time tonight I'll get teh details. I did the entire bay, and I don't think the small holes are a factor for the way I use it.
Thanks. Another good idea! You did the whole thing, so it wouldn't be a mismatch with the hard plastic and the neoprene...
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      12-25-2016, 11:56 AM   #46
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12 Volt outlet Disconnect

If you accidentally disconnect the rear 12 Volt outlet (as I did), pop off the trim piece that holds the outlet with a non marring tool and re-connect. The clips are on the top and bottom of the trim piece. It comes out easily.
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      01-20-2017, 11:53 AM   #47
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Excellent and very informative post. I have sufferred the past year with the ridiculous phone holder occupying nearly half of the available space! Especially since you dont need it. Bluetooth connection is just as good, as is the USB port. Connecting your phone with a wire is obselete. And more often than not, you would like to take a glance at your phone, while not driving of course, so keeping it stowed away under the handrest doesn't make sense. I have an X4 F26 but the procedure was identical to the X3 and took only 15 minutes. I believe you can just cover up the small hole left behind without needing to change the entire console.
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      07-29-2019, 04:41 AM   #48
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To bad that the images are unavailable. 😞
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      08-11-2019, 08:24 PM   #49
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Great modification. The phone cradle and lack of storage space was quite irritating.
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      08-15-2019, 09:01 PM   #50
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Sorry, the images were hosted by Dropbox and they suck now.
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      02-05-2020, 05:12 PM   #51
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So many years after I found this post I finally decided I could not stand the cradle anymore, it was wasting space and in the way.

So ordered the replacement bin (500) and did this today. Probably took 1 hour but only because 1) it was cold in the garage in Dallas today and 2) I decided to go the "pull the cable route" and was leery of pulling the cables out but once I could see the connectors and figured out the connectors I did it.

Gotta love BMW engineering, 3 connectors all with different ways to keep them secure!! Four screws to remove bottom, only three to put it back in, WTH?!?!? Removing the lighter was no bed of roses either.

But all done and love NOT having the "cradle" in the way.

Since some say the pictures are missing I have attached a PDF of instructions w/ pics.
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      02-05-2020, 08:19 PM   #52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikemanx3 View Post
So many years after I found this post I finally decided I could not stand the cradle anymore, it was wasting space and in the way.

So ordered the replacement bin (500) and did this today. Probably took 1 hour but only because 1) it was cold in the garage in Dallas today and 2) I decided to go the "pull the cable route" and was leery of pulling the cables out but once I could see the connectors and figured out the connectors I did it.

Gotta love BMW engineering, 3 connectors all with different ways to keep them secure!! Four screws to remove bottom, only three to put it back in, WTH?!?!? Removing the lighter was no bed of roses either.

But all done and love NOT having the "cradle" in the way.

Since some say the pictures are missing I have attached a PDF of instructions w/ pics.
It sure was cold out today...

Glad you were able to get it done. It is so much better without it. The photos were missing for a while, but I did re-host them elsewhere so they should be showing up for the foreseeable future.
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      02-05-2020, 09:44 PM   #53
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Nicely done! I did mine last summer - this would have certainly helped.
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      03-06-2020, 11:55 AM   #54
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darn fine post, very detailed pictures

appreciate the efforts, this gives me alot of confidence to do mine
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      03-09-2020, 08:37 AM   #55
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done, went very smooth!

for those who did not buy the replacement part, what are you guys all using to cover up the holes?
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      03-10-2020, 09:54 AM   #56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by evilchargerfan View Post
done, went very smooth!

for those who did not buy the replacement part, what are you guys all using to cover up the holes?
When I did mine I found a think black plastic card and cut it and just used some electrical tape to cover the hole left. So far it works good and havent had to redo it.
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      06-13-2020, 03:47 PM   #57
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Thanks & Tips

ReturnnZero - THANK YOU! Fantastic how-to thread. Well done!

To others attempting: not a hard job, took me about a half hour.

Start with the correct tools, the torx set I use for fixing PC's and Ipads was no good. Luckily I had a Husky bit driver tool with the bits in the handle, this was the way to go. Much more leverage. Also tried out my new magnetized parts tray, I forgot the magnet also works to keep the screws fixed to the tray and grouped together for re-assembly! Much easier than trying to find them on the seat or in a plastic cup.

Lots of light. My hanging shop light came in through the window and hung off the visor. Supplemented by a small flashlight for getting at that snap tie and the power connectors.

Removing the cigarette lighter - I was tossing the orignal tray, so I just used an awl to push out those two side lock tabs shown in the pic by poking in through the rear sides of the lighter. Comes right out after that.

I ordered the new tray from BMW mini parts store, p/n 51-16-9-184-500. It did not require any Dremel work, but once it's in it sure does not feel like it's coming out again without breaking some of the tabs! A much tighter/firmer fit than the original phone/tray. My USB/Aux fitment wasn't quite seated 100% properly when I popped the tray in and now it never will be. Be sure those things are in to your satisfaction before you pop the tray in.

100% happy with my much more usable center bin!
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      06-15-2020, 08:27 AM   #58
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Great job! Enjoy the new console!
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      07-16-2020, 08:06 PM   #59
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And Done! Should have removed that crap long ago.
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      10-20-2021, 03:11 PM   #60
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Very detailed how-to
Did it within 30 minutes and happy with the extra storage space!
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      10-22-2021, 10:07 AM   #61
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Thanks for this. Mine have the same. For an huawei P40 Pro you can imagine how helpful it is!

Cheers
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      10-22-2021, 10:09 AM   #62
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I'm curious? Were you ever able to access your USB ports with that thing on top?
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      12-03-2021, 10:11 PM   #63
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Thanks for the instructions ReturnZero, the cradle has bugged me since I bought the car and once I read the instructions I dashed out immediately to remove it, tools in hand.

Instructions are very detailed, the photos are excellent ... Great work and awesome service to the community.

Since I haven't ordered the new part yet I just covered the holes with 3M black gaffer tape.

So nice to be able to get into the compartment to plug in the phone charger without that cradle in the way and so much more usable space!
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      12-04-2021, 09:42 PM   #64
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The 2011 35i did not come with the cradle. I guess I am lucky that it didn’t come with my model.
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      12-04-2021, 10:06 PM   #65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tyeske View Post
The 2011 35i did not come with the cradle. I guess I am lucky that it didn’t come with my model.
It was an option on the 2011, yours just didn't have it
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      07-27-2022, 06:58 PM   #66
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Hi RZ,

Thanks for your great instructions and attached .pdf.

I'd removed my mobile phone cradle prior to viewing this thread but liked what you said about replacing the cradle storage box with one without the protruding corner.

I finished up using the blue USB cable from that went to the mobile phone cradle to connect to the BMW USB/Audio in my original centre console storage box so I now have 2 working USB sockets that I can switch from one to the other.

I finished up purchasing a 2nd hand storage box from eBay as the listing contained photos as international sellers in USA didn't respond when I sent them emails to verify that the box I'd be sent was the same as the photo on their website.

With the storage box I received, I didn't have to cut any plastic off it. All I did was cut out a rectangle next to the USB/Aux port already installed in the box so I could insert a new USB/Aux port and connect the USB cable from removed mobile phone cradle to give me the 2nd USB slot.

I also purchased a box insert I think from AliExpress.

Part #: 105022979







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Last edited by daMANiack; 04-18-2023 at 06:12 PM..
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