I installed the sunglass holder ( part #51-16-7-132-376 about $20) last night and it took about 20 minutes including taking the pictures. Steps might be a little different for cars with an automatic transmission.

1) Remove the shift boot using your hand and carefully pulling up on...

And don't smack your face with it. So, gentle pull and then increase force as needed.

pull where? i have no place to grab it. I see pics of people grabbing where the idrive is supposed to be and pulling, but i have the idrive so i have no place to grab and pull? :dunno:

we might be on different page here...
let's try to clarify.

I did an e90 automatic.
pull on the shifter to remove it.
this car had a leather boot. so I just pulled on the boot to remove it.
Once removed, grab the wood trim from the opening you now have after
removing the boot. pull gently. go in order clockwise or counter clockwise,
the trim has snap on tabs. undo one at a time.

at this point, be very careful of the idrive wire.
some have some slack, some don't.
Mine did have some slack so I did not unplug the idrive controller.

I hope that helps.

can i just drive my car to you?

I heard that this sunglass thing is REALLY small and won't fit most glasses. Is that true?

I looks pretty small but my Maui Jim Shaka's fit just fine.

Well, My oakleys don't fit.
But I mainly use it to store my cell phone.
It is small. Somewhere in this thread are the dimensions.

Send me pics of where you are and I can try to photoshop the pic to
guide you.
email: frankoq@hotmail.com

That might save you the drive, but up to you.

FYI, I just replaced my wood trim with aluminum and the best way to remove the ashtray cover is with a flat head screwdriver from the back. Just stick the screwdriver in the two slots on the left and right side and twist and the ashtray trim will pop right off. Going from the front is a bad idea IMO and trying to take the ashtray apart is asking for trouble.

Pics?

*attemps to move*

.................................................. .......

*sits back down*

??

I am thinking about getting this installed, however, I am concerned about the size. Towson BMW won't order the part just to have me look at it (I am having them install it). So, does anyone have additional pics or advice about fit? Appreciate it...

If you want, we can meet somewhere and you can look at mine.

Are you planning on attending the Greene Turtle happy hour tonight in Columbia?

I won't be able to make it tonight.

There is a "mod" install meeting planned for the 30th. Maybe at my place.
Other than that, a week day after 7pm. we can meet at some starbucks.

Else, I can take a few pics and send you measurements.

I would like to see it in person. I also would love to see your tint. I am still on the fence because of what I read about the rear window and headlight refraction. Let's pick an after work coffee run.

Sounds good.

Where do you work? I work in Baltimore and live in Columbia.

This is a great post but I should mention two items that caused me problems:

• On my car (2007 335xi) the screws holding the ashtray/sunglass tray to the console are T10 torx not T20. I bought the wrong size tool and had to exchange it.
  
• Be careful with the trim piece. The face (walnut, aluminum, etc.) and its black plastic backing are one part and come off together as one piece. I tried to pry the face off alone and broke it.

In answer to some other questions about size, I found my very large Ray-Ban aviator type sunglasses fit, but only face down.

I like the idea, but hate loosing the lighter as I always use it for phone charger, tood bad it's not big enough where we can have both!

Damn i would do this if i didnt lose the cig lighter plug i need for my cell charger