[delbox]

Hi!

I've just been to see my new 30d M Sport, which has been delivered to the dealership. I was very disappointed to find only two 12v outlets (one in the centre console by the cup holders and the other on the driver's sidewall in the load area), and one USB outlet (also in the front console).

I'm sure that there were more in my E70 X5, F25 X3 and certainly in my current M140i (which has 12v sockets under the glove box, in the front centre arm rest and on its rear surface, accessible to rear passengers)!

So, the question, how are forum members providing power to, for example, the front headrest mounted DVD players, which are visible to rear seat occupants? Similarly, how are rear seat passengers to charge mobile phones, or similar?

As an aside, the Master Technician at the dealership has spoken with BMW, both in the UK and Germany, and there is no kit to retrofit additional outlets.

[SamS]

This is a legit concern.

In the "packet of stuff" that my car came with (owner's manual, floor mats, etc.) there was BMW P/N 8410 9 363 321 02 included, which is a dual USB lighter style charger. I stuck it in the rear lighter socket, it sits flush mounted, so effectively the same has having built-in USB chargers. Maybe even a bit better, as I imagine you could use that same socket for an after-market higher voltage version. The BMW one only supports 2.1A max, combined for both ports.

[delbox]

Thanks, SamS, that's a possible option to offer more USB outlets in the front of my car - albeit at the expense of losing the 12v outlet. However, without a 12v outlet in the rear passenger space, I'm still at a loss about how to power the BMW DVD system that has worked so well previously,

[SamS]

Originally Posted by delbox

Thanks, SamS, that's a possible option to offer more USB outlets in the front of my car - albeit at the expense of losing the 12v outlet. However, without a 12v outlet in the rear passenger space, I'm still at a loss about how to power the BMW DVD system that has worked so well previously,

I use this in the rear. What are the power requirements of the BMW DVD system?

[delbox]

It comes with the standard (large) cigarette lighter plug attached:

[SamS]

Originally Posted by delbox

It comes with the standard (large) cigarette lighter plug attached:

My X3 has a rear center lighter socket, exactly as shown in that video. Maybe it's part of an optional package?

[delbox]

Certainly not part of a UK package, but the USA and other countries seem to get a 12v outlet on the lower rear of the front centre armrest; that outlet shows as a retrofit part on BMW's parts list ...... but it's not available - surprisingly! The dealership's Master Technician says that it would be a simple job to source an outlet elsewhere and could easily wire it in; however, BMW have warned him not to do so because it would be an unauthorised modification that could afect the car's warranty. So, I think I'll need to use a splitter on a lead from the front 12v outlet and place it in the recess under the climate controls in the rear; it might not be pretty ..... but it could work.

[strike4A]

Originally Posted by delbox

Certainly not part of a UK package, but the USA and other countries seem to get a 12v outlet on the lower rear of the front centre armrest; that outlet shows as a retrofit part on BMW's parts list ...... but it's not available - surprisingly! The dealership's Master Technician says that it would be a simple job to source an outlet elsewhere and could easily wire it in; however, BMW have warned him not to do so because it would be an unauthorised modification that could afect the car's warranty. So, I think I'll need to use a splitter on a lead from the front 12v outlet and place it in the recess under the climate controls in the rear; it might not be pretty ..... but it could work.

If you order Extended Storage (493) in UK you get an extra 12v socket in rear centre console. Pretty easy to retrofit by yourself. BMW won’t help you with this though.

[delbox]

Thanks, strike4A, that's very useful .... and, I think, that's what the Master Technician intended - but was warned off by BMW!

[No1Cares]

....ipad mini's are portable and do a better job and they aren't tech from 1990's you can mount to the rear headrests....what are DVD players?

[Keweenawbee]

Originally Posted by Casotakar

....ipad mini's are portable and do a better job and they aren't tech from 1990's you can mount to the rear headrests....what are DVD players?

DVD players are why there are still Redbox’s in the USA. Renting a Blu-ray at a Redbox vending machine and the subsequent process of ripping them to a hard drive are what enable me to see a current (well almost current with a learned patience) release movie on my 60” TV for $2 instead of about $30 at a typical reserved seat cineplex. I have saved enough money in the past few years to buy an i30 m-sport. (lol)

BTW the software to do this is MakeMKV (universal platform)

[nxa]

Forgetting about DVD players, but rear seat passengers do need to CHARGE the iPads, Switch, 3DS etc. The X3 already stood out as less rear seat power in all the cars we compared to so taking the one 12v it has away seem....very odd.

My build starts end of Feb. I'll be annoyed if it turns up with out it, or anything else I don't know about.

[FCBayernFTW]

Originally Posted by delbox

Hi!

I've just been to see my new 30d M Sport, which has been delivered to the dealership. I was very disappointed to find only two 12v outlets (one in the centre console by the cup holders and the other on the driver's sidewall in the load area), and one USB outlet (also in the front console).

I'm sure that there were more in my E70 X5, F25 X3 and certainly in my current M140i (which has 12v sockets under the glove box, in the front centre arm rest and on its rear surface, accessible to rear passengers)!

So, the question, how are forum members providing power to, for example, the front headrest mounted DVD players, which are visible to rear seat occupants? Similarly, how are rear seat passengers to charge mobile phones, or similar?

As an aside, the Master Technician at the dealership has spoken with BMW, both in the UK and Germany, and there is no kit to retrofit additional outlets.

I found an interesting surprise in the glove compartment when I took delivery last Monday. A 2 port 12v USB plug. My delivery agent told me that some of the their X3's are arriving with them from the factory...

[strike4A]

Originally Posted by FCBayernFTW

I found an interesting surprise in the glove compartment when I took delivery last Monday. A 2 port 12v USB plug. My delivery agent told me that some of the their X3's are arriving with them from the factory...

This is one of the components of the Extended Storage (493) option that we have in the UK as I referred to earlier. The full list is as follows:

- folding compartment below the driver's side
- Lockable glovebox
- 12V Power socket in rear centre console
- Storage nets behind front driver and passenger seats
- Lashing rails and four adjustable lashing eyes for luggage compartment floor
- USB interface in the second row (charging only)
- one USB adapter
- Multifunctional hooks in the luggage compartment side panels, left and right

Note: in combination with option code 300 'Emergency spare wheel': deletion of lashing rails, hooks and strap at rear in the luggage compartment

++

delbox Look at part 12 here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=51_7739

I'm guessing you have part 51166813720 but if you replaced this with part 51166813111 then you could run a wire from the socket to spare slot in the fuse box or piggy back another power source and you'd be good to go.

[delbox]

Thank you all for your comments; you have given me some food for thought. Decisions, decisions ..... ;-)

[titomi]

Originally Posted by strike4A

This is one of the components of the Extended Storage (493) option that we have in the UK as I referred to earlier. The full list is as follows:

- folding compartment below the driver's side
- Lockable glovebox
- 12V Power socket in rear centre console
- Storage nets behind front driver and passenger seats
- Lashing rails and four adjustable lashing eyes for luggage compartment floor
- USB interface in the second row (charging only)
- one USB adapter
- Multifunctional hooks in the luggage compartment side panels, left and right

Note: in combination with option code 300 'Emergency spare wheel': deletion of lashing rails, hooks and strap at rear in the luggage compartment

Here in Netherlands, according to the new pricelist (valid from april 2018), the option "USB interface in the second row" is gone.

I believe, that standard equipment is only ONE USB in central console in the front. I did see today (in the showroom) another USB port in the front armrest, but no one was able to tell me, where it did come from. The model was equipped with option 493, but also with two microphones and wireless charging pad. If I list those options in the price list, there is not a single word, that it adds additional USB port(s).

[tyranimo]

Originally Posted by titomi

Here in Netherlands, according to the new pricelist (valid from april 2018), the option "USB interface in the second row" is gone.

I believe, that standard equipment is only ONE USB in central console in the front. I did see today (in the showroom) another USB port in the front armrest, but no one was able to tell me, where it did come from. The model was equipped with option 493, but also with two microphones and wireless charging pad. If I list those options in the price list, there is not a single word, that it adds additional USB port(s).

In North America it's part of the "enhanced connectivity" package

[Yizu]

In the Netherland the extra 12v and USB socket in the center console in the back are listed in the storage compartment package.

The complete package contains: luggage nets on front seatbacks and in passenger-side footwell; cargo area items include luggage net on left side; 2 cargo rails with 4 fastening points, a reversible mat, and a multi-purpose hook and a tensioning strap on each side. Power outlets in front center console storage compartment, rear center console, and in trunk.

[titomi]

Originally Posted by Yizu

In the Netherland the extra 12v and USB socket in the center console in the back are listed in the storage compartment package.

The complete package contains: luggage nets on front seatbacks and in passenger-side footwell; cargo area items include luggage net on left side; 2 cargo rails with 4 fastening points, a reversible mat, and a multi-purpose hook and a tensioning strap on each side. Power outlets in front center console storage compartment, rear center console, and in trunk.

According to price list valid from april - not anymore. Price list was released 31.1.2018. It´s for diplomatic sales.
I would definitely order the package as you described it, but I cannot, since it´s not available with that options.

Where does your information come from?

[Yizu]

I just checked the pricelist on the Dutch BMW website and it is still listed in the storage compartment package. Does not know if a diplomatc sale has a different pricelist (page 9).

https://www.bmw.nl/content/dam/bmw/m...8257.pdfebsite.

[shemazar]

Anyone know the max amperage of the various 12v ports?

[swestland85]

Originally Posted by Yizu

I just checked the pricelist on the Dutch BMW website and it is still listed in the storage compartment package. Does not know if a diplomatc sale has a different pricelist (page 9).

https://www.bmw.nl/content/dam/bmw/m...8257.pdfebsite.

This is a more up to date version of the Dutch pricelist, september version. It still mention storage pack as standard equipment with 12v charger in center console and 12v in armrest and one in the trunk right compartment. So I count three 12V sockets.

I just did a compare between the april pricelist and september one. Mentioning of USB port in center console was removed in September....