DIY - Sunglass holder (replaces ashtray) - Page 12 - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

DIY - Sunglass holder (replaces ashtray)
jwarcd
11-07-2005

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...

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#242

By FrankoQ on 05-18-2009, 10:19 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gqmd

Yes it is possible, do a search on the bimmerpost member that owns mybimmer.net, he'll guide you...there are a few people who have done it but you have to know how to mod your trim, etc...

Have a link?

#243

By gqmd on 05-18-2009, 10:31 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

Have a link?

The guy who runs mybimmer.net is e90post userid: srcstc

He is in the midst of doing this. I never bought any of his products, but he has a very good rep on mp3car.com

Here is a link to one of the e90post member cars that has relocated the climate controls: http://i10.tinypic.com/6k9hs37.jpg

Good luck with your project!

#244

By FrankoQ on 05-18-2009, 10:50 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by gqmd

Impressive!
But the original question asked if the climate control can fit the sunglass tray.
Based on the picture, the climate controls do not fit.
The center console trim has been modified to make the climate controls fit.

#245

By xEcUtEr on 05-19-2009, 12:12 PM

nice DIY... i'll try to do this when i'm changing my wood trim for a CF one...

Regards

Hugo

#246

By iAerodynamic on 07-09-2009, 10:36 AM

my local dealer wanted to charge me $48 bucks for the sunglass tray......

#247

By Speedtrap on 07-19-2009, 07:41 AM

This is really useful. Need to get hold of one asap

Thanks for sharing.

#248

By dar2008 on 07-20-2009, 04:38 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by iAerodynamic

my local dealer wanted to charge me $48 bucks for the sunglass tray......

Wow, I paid about £16 at a UK dealer.

#249

By schadenfreude on 07-23-2009, 10:54 PM

Thanks for the DIY. The hardest part was a tossup between running in for a different torx wrench and prying up the center console. Took about 10 minutes.

#250

By pruettfan on 08-11-2009, 01:59 AM

I did this and it is a great upgrade. Turns the useless ashtray into a nice cubby. I can fit my iphone in there with extra room. If you can live without the power outlet then I say go for it. 20 bucks and 20 mins to do this for me.

#251

By revlimit on 08-11-2009, 12:15 PM

I assume for those that have the "non smoker option" wll need to purchase the lid trim?

#252

By rubber_ducky on 08-11-2009, 12:47 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Takashi

You can always relocate the 12V adaptor to the passenger footwell (like the 2010s). That is what I am looking into now.

Let us know what you come up with. I'd love to do the same thing.

#253

By e4tmonkieshyt on 08-14-2009, 09:32 AM

can't wait till i get my sunglass tray!!!

#254

By carve on 08-25-2009, 10:54 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by s4iscool

search for my post on this. I ended putting my Roady in the ashtry slot, and saved the cig power in the OEM location. didnt have to buy the sunglass holder either.

I couldn't find your post on this. I'd like to have my GPS in there, and have it fold down with the lid covering it when I want it concealed.

#255

By daveck7 on 09-02-2009, 03:27 PM

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Need help with install

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

I'm in Laurel, MD. Let me know if you want to get together for this mod.
I'll be happy to assist.

FrankoQ, I will be in Columbia, MD this weekend. Could I meet you in Laurel to swap out my cig lighter with the sunglasses tray. Will pay you for your help or bring beer / anything else you need. Thanks.

#256

By bigaltech on 09-19-2009, 11:29 AM

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Thanks! Just did this.. took 5 minutes literally...

My dealer charged 45 w/ tax

But its worth it.. not just for sunglasses.. some place to throw my keys/phone, whatever without setting in the door or the lower pop-out door or even on the shelf where the nav is.

#257

By costamesa328 on 03-13-2010, 09:01 PM

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Just got my e90 about a month ago and have been waiting to put this in. Sweet post by JWARCD. I got the part Friday (about $40 at Crevier; I know its overpriced, but wanted it now and there's zero shipping costs or waiting when I'm there already) and hope to have time this weekend. I'm going for the slightly modified illuminated version posted by FrankoQ. Thx to many others who've posted feedback on their attempts. Wish me luck.

#258

By my07_335i on 03-13-2010, 09:09 PM

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My tray arrives tuesday...paid 18$ for it online...can't wait to do this since I don't smoke, I hate having the ash trays...

#259

By TheJackal on 03-13-2010, 09:12 PM

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Guys, we need more pics. Here's my install from 2 YEARS AGO and it's only on page 9 (3 pages back). Show us your installs!

#260

By my07_335i on 03-16-2010, 03:07 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Topshelf

I just picked up an E91 for the wife and wanted to do this mod as well, but the instructions for the steptronic with iDrive just didn't make sense and had me worried about damaging something. Luckily I got an E90 step loaner today, so what better way to figure out how this really works.

I haven't done the actual mod yet, but I did tear the center console trim apart and it's very easy.

I've added a few arrows to TambourineMan's pic. (hope he doesn't mind)

Attachment 208118

The leather boot and plastic cover are all one piece and held into the trim at 6 points. The 3 important ones have red arrows pointing to them in the pic above. You basically grab the front of the black plastic surround with your finger tips and press in towards the shifter to release that clip on the top. Then move to the front right corner and do the same. Once that corner is out, the whole piece can easily be lifted out by pulling towards the front of the car. It's not as terrifying as it sounds. After you have that out you'll need to grab the lower left side of the center trim (closest to the drivers seat) with your fingers and pull up to release one of the clips. Then just work your way around. Not nearly as bad as I was expecting. Just thought this info might help some step owners since I know none of this made sense to me. Obviously having the shifter in D allows you to slide the center trim piece over the shift cover for easier removal.

thanks for this..I'm going to be installing my tray on my lunch, and would've tried pulling the leather boot and not this plastic....instructions and pictures had been lacking in the area of step tronic transmissions... you have clarified this... definitely could've used better directions/better photos before you came along, now i am not so scared of braking something.

#261

By my07_335i on 03-16-2010, 05:33 PM

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just finished installing mine, Here are my results:

removing shift boot was really easy on the steptronic, took me maybe 45 seconds of careful pulling to get it out. The wood trim center console, on the other hand took me maybe 5-10 minutes...you really REALLY gotta be careful and pull moderlately hard to get it to pop out. I ended up breaking just about 1/8" of the trip up in the passenger side corner near the foot well, its so minor you can't even really see it since it tucks up into the body area pretty well, will superglue it later.

Had to unplug a few wires to get the pieces off, not hard at all.

Replacing the wood trim required a bit of prying, but got it off without incident. reassembly required firm pressure on the trim to get it to snap in place. Ended up getting a little grease on the trim from the mechanism, but wiped it off with a damp cloth.

All in all difficulty would be 3 or 4 I'd say, just gotta be careful. I don't know why this forum uses backwards ratings (1 being difficult/expensive/not clear) but you can defiantly do this if you're careful! I'll take pictures after work.

Last edited by my07_335i; 03-17-2010 at 11:52 PM.

#262

By Bimmerforlife on 03-20-2010, 01:48 PM

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I have a couple questions:

1. So if I purchase a 2011 335 sedan will this sunglass part fit? Tischer says its for 06-10. I'm assuming it will be the same?

2. I will have aluminum trim, will I need to order the aluminum cover when I order this part since the 2011 don't come with the aluminum cover. Do I need a separate part # for the cover? Or does the cover come with the sunglass holder part # above.

thanks

#263

By Eugene134 on 03-24-2010, 08:04 PM

I gotta order one. So much better then the useless ashtray to me at least

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