DIY- Rear Power Outlet DIY for US Cars

KL2DC · 03-15-2007, 04:09 PM

Just a quick update!

Our man, JD Ross at Crown auto just sent me an email.

Confirming his suspicion that the part was listed in error ($15 for the cover including the power outlets was too cheaply listed), BMW has since revised the list price for this part.

He writes:

"...BMW finally did it. Maybe too late for too many to be effected (since most have already ordered them), but never the less they realized their mistake on the cost of the Rear Console Covers. They are now $60.00 through the site ($73.50 list). Just thought I’d shoot you a message in case you wanted to warn the E90Post.com guys...."

Thank you JD and team

for keeping us in mind and hooking us up with these parts.

Just another example of your great level of customer service.

spydrz · 03-15-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Just a quick update!

Our man, JD Ross at Crown auto just sent me an email.

Confirming his suspicion that the part was listed in error ($15 for the cover including the power outlets was too cheaply listed), BMW has since revised the list price for this part.

He writes:

"...BMW finally did it. Maybe too late for too many to be effected (since most have already ordered them), but never the less they realized their mistake on the cost of the Rear Console Covers. They are now $60.00 through the site ($73.50 list). Just thought I’d shoot you a message in case you wanted to warn the E90Post.com guys...."

Thank you JD and team

for keeping us in mind and hooking us up with these parts.

Just another example of your great level of customer service.

Well, I'm glad I got mine before the increase!

ages944 · 03-15-2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Just a quick update!

Our man, JD Ross at Crown auto just sent me an email.

Confirming his suspicion that the part was listed in error ($15 for the cover including the power outlets was too cheaply listed), BMW has since revised the list price for this part.

He writes:

"...BMW finally did it. Maybe too late for too many to be effected (since most have already ordered them), but never the less they realized their mistake on the cost of the Rear Console Covers. They are now $60.00 through the site ($73.50 list). Just thought I’d shoot you a message in case you wanted to warn the E90Post.com guys...."

Thank you JD and team

for keeping us in mind and hooking us up with these parts.

Just another example of your great level of customer service.

Wow. I just put mine on yesterday. Bought it for $15.41 and was billed on March 12th. Guess I must be one of the last ones to buy it for $15. ... Do I get a prize?

no way would I have spent $60 on a plastic cover. Needless to say I am very happy that I got it when I did!

A BIG Thanks(!) to Calvino for the great write up. This mod's great!

GregL · 03-15-2007, 10:03 PM

I paid CAD$38 for mine through my local dealer, so I wonder if their price was also erroneously listed too low.

FrankoQ · 03-16-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregL

I paid CAD$38 for mine through my local dealer, so I wonder if their price was also erroneously listed too low.

Did you get all the pieces?

I first tried to get the piece thru my dealer. They had the face plate for
about 15 but no plugs/wires/outlets.
I then canceled the order thru the dealer and went with Crown auto.

KL2DC · 03-16-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

Did you get all the pieces?

I first tried to get the piece thru my dealer. They had the face plate for
about 15 but no plugs/wires/outlets.
I then canceled the order thru the dealer and went with Crown auto.

+1

If you didn't get the pieces from Crown, I'd double check.

Following Calvino's DIY, orders were placed with JD @ Crown. He discovered that the beige pieces were coming in with the sockets and plugs while the black and grey pieces did not. He made an argument to BMW based on the beige pieces, that all should come with sockets/plugs etc and subsequently hooked all of us up with the complete pieces.

GregL · 03-16-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankoQ

Did you get all the pieces?

I first tried to get the piece thru my dealer. They had the face plate for
about 15 but no plugs/wires/outlets.
I then canceled the order thru the dealer and went with Crown auto.

Yes, it came in it's entirety:

I bought it in January and at the time they had one in stock at a local warehouse, so I got it next day.

AM335 · 03-17-2007, 12:52 PM

This is certainly a worthwhile mod at $15.00, but is it worth $60.00? For those that have the 'robot', are you finding much use from the rear power outlets? Thanks.

Ninjaneer · 03-17-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spydrz

Well, I'm glad I got mine before the increase!

+1

Mine's waiting to be installed soon

GregL · 03-17-2007, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM335

This is certainly a worthwhile mod at $15.00, but is it worth $60.00? For those that have the 'robot', are you finding much use from the rear power outlets? Thanks.

Absolutely, I have my xm radio plugged into the outlet on the left all the time, and occasionally use the right outlet for my cell phone charger. I don't like to use the lighter by the front ashtray, and it's usually impossible to close the center armrest if I were to plug something into that one.

But I think you're the one who really has to answer that question, is it worth it to you today? Or would you be doing it in case one day you think you'd need them?

Edit: It's not just a robot btw...it's a happy robot

ages944 · 03-17-2007, 06:31 PM

I don't think the trim piece is worth $60, especially if you're not even sure that you'd be using it all the time. It's just a piece of plastic with plugs after all. I'd say that if in doubt, or if you know that you wouldn't be using it all the time, that you might just get an extension cord and a multiple outlet adapter. Would easily come out less than $60, and you could use it in more than one car.

AM335 · 03-17-2007, 09:16 PM

Thanks GregL and ages944.

FrankoQ · 03-18-2007, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM335

This is certainly a worthwhile mod at $15.00, but is it worth $60.00? For those that have the 'robot', are you finding much use from the rear power outlets? Thanks.

Do you have kids?
If so, it is worthed.

I have 2 kids and each want to watch a movie on long drives.
So I plug one DVD player on one plug and the other on the other plug.
Both are happy, and I can have a relaxed drive.
the older one can charge his gameboy on one plug and watch a movie
from the other plug.

I did the sunglass tray mod too, so I don't have a plug at front.
The one in the center console is for my Ipod.

So, I have used the rear plugs to charge my cell phone or plug a laptop.

To me, this is a life savers. hehe.
and at $15, it was a must have.

KL2DC · 03-18-2007, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM335

This is certainly a worthwhile mod at $15.00, but is it worth $60.00? For those that have the 'robot', are you finding much use from the rear power outlets? Thanks.

I don't have kids and to be honest I don't really use it that much, but it looks nice back there

It's also nice to know those extra outlets are back there should the need arise.

FrankoQ · 03-18-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL2DC

I don't have kids and to be honest I don't really use it that much, but it looks nice back there

It's also nice to know those extra outlets are back there should the need arise.

a good excuse to have a kid Donny!!!

Ash · 03-21-2007, 07:12 AM

Thats a cool DIY.

Just checking if it could be done on the front of the center console or not? Currently mind is fitted with #8 & #9 which is just a tray. Can i order #10,11,12,13 to make it work like the rear DIY? Anyone done before? Need some advise.

FrankoQ · 03-21-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ash

Thats a cool DIY.

Just checking if it could be done on the front of the center console or not? Currently mind is fitted with #8 & #9 which is just a tray. Can i order #10,11,12,13 to make it work like the rear DIY? Anyone done before? Need some advise.

You are doing the opposite to many of us.
I had the cigarrete tray and changed it to the sunglass tray.

Before you buy parts, make sure there is a plug to connect the
cigarrete outlet. This is under the wood trim. if you are sitting on
the driver seat, it will be to the left top of the gear shifter.
You will need to remove 21/19 to see this.
If you do not have it, you will need to tap somewhere else to power
the tray outlet.

Do a search for sunglass tray DIY and you will see how this is done.
You will be doing the opposite to that DIY.

Hope that helps.

scollins · 06-20-2007, 01:47 AM

I just did this upgrade tonight. EASY! I think it took me longer to get the original face plate off than completing the rest of the DIY. I'm always worried when pulling apart plastic pieces, they tend to break.

The only thing I did slightly different was the placement of my scotchlocks. You don't really need both outlets to have long leads, just one of them does. So my first pair of scotchlocks are close to the sockets, and the second pair are down near the existing connector for the arm rest. I was able to "pre-wire" the first pair of scotchlocks this way, in the garage, instead of doing it in the car.

Ideally, a connector solution would be better, or even soldered connections. I'm not a huge fan of scotchlocks, but for this application, they are probably fine. I've got them now, so no going back!

Also, what was that Siemens VDO piece that was attached to the bottom of the face plate? I didn't see one mentioned in the OP, but mine had some sort of sensor or piece of electronics there.....

I had hoped there was room where the ash tray is for a DIN or Half DIN DVD player. I want to add monitors for the kids, and it looks like an ideal spot for the player. I guess my other option is to have the player built into the headrest monitor too, like the ones from Vizualogic. However, they only make them for the 5 and 7 series, so I don't think they'll fit the 3 series.

Bimmer335i · 06-21-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tman

+1.

My productivity has gone down since I found this forum and got the BMW.

Hallelujah, brother!

Swoop · 06-23-2007, 11:27 AM

Just did it on the GF's car and doing mine next week......I love the happy robot....

flukey · 08-07-2007, 09:37 PM

Can anyone please help me?

I cannot get the bottom left hand corner of the face plate to disconnect. I've tried and tried but it seems like its caught on something. Does anyone have a solution?

black36 · 08-09-2007, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aztec

this is just what i needed! Since my radar detector takes up the main one and my cell phone charger is not a low profile plug and cant close the center console now i have a soulution! Yay!

Thx! hahaha

Having same problem with my cell phone charger!
This will really help

Thanks Happy face Robot

03-15-2007, 04:09 PM	#199
KL2DC Moderator 318 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	Just a quick update! Our man, JD Ross at Crown auto just sent me an email. Confirming his suspicion that the part was listed in error ($15 for the cover including the power outlets was too cheaply listed), BMW has since revised the list price for this part. He writes: "...BMW finally did it. Maybe too late for too many to be effected (since most have already ordered them), but never the less they realized their mistake on the cost of the Rear Console Covers. They are now $60.00 through the site ($73.50 list). Just thought I’d shoot you a message in case you wanted to warn the E90Post.com guys...." Thank you JD and team for keeping us in mind and hooking us up with these parts. Just another example of your great level of customer service. __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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03-15-2007, 10:03 PM	#202
GregL Brigadier General 98 Rep 3,618 Posts Drives: 2016 CLA45 AMG Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: GTA iTrader: (4)	I paid CAD$38 for mine through my local dealer, so I wonder if their price was also erroneously listed too low. __________________ 2016 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 2013 Mercedes-Benz B250 - Gone 2010 Mercedes-Benz C350 4Matic - Gone 2006 BMW 330xi - Gone 2001 Infiniti QX4 - Gone
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03-17-2007, 12:52 PM	#206
AM335 Go Gators! 17 Rep 695 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 335i E90 [0.00]	This is certainly a worthwhile mod at $15.00, but is it worth $60.00? For those that have the 'robot', are you finding much use from the rear power outlets? Thanks.
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03-17-2007, 06:31 PM	#209
ages944 Captain 98 Rep 990 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Chicago 'burbs iTrader: (0)	I don't think the trim piece is worth $60, especially if you're not even sure that you'd be using it all the time. It's just a piece of plastic with plugs after all. I'd say that if in doubt, or if you know that you wouldn't be using it all the time, that you might just get an extension cord and a multiple outlet adapter. Would easily come out less than $60, and you could use it in more than one car. __________________ BMW : Sine qua non Mods: Blacklines \| Rear Seat Power Outlets \| Rear Fog Lights \| Ashtray Garage Door Opener
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03-17-2007, 09:16 PM	#210
AM335 Go Gators! 17 Rep 695 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 335i E90 [0.00]	Thanks GregL and ages944.
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03-21-2007, 07:12 AM	#214
Ash New Member 1 Rep 16 Posts Drives: ACS Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Singapore iTrader: (0)	Thats a cool DIY. Just checking if it could be done on the front of the center console or not? Currently mind is fitted with #8 & #9 which is just a tray. Can i order #10,11,12,13 to make it work like the rear DIY? Anyone done before? Need some advise.
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06-20-2007, 01:47 AM	#216
scollins Bootleggin' 'n Gunrunnin' 137 Rep 2,372 Posts Drives: 2024 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Renton, WA iTrader: (3)	I just did this upgrade tonight. EASY! I think it took me longer to get the original face plate off than completing the rest of the DIY. I'm always worried when pulling apart plastic pieces, they tend to break. The only thing I did slightly different was the placement of my scotchlocks. You don't really need both outlets to have long leads, just one of them does. So my first pair of scotchlocks are close to the sockets, and the second pair are down near the existing connector for the arm rest. I was able to "pre-wire" the first pair of scotchlocks this way, in the garage, instead of doing it in the car. Ideally, a connector solution would be better, or even soldered connections. I'm not a huge fan of scotchlocks, but for this application, they are probably fine. I've got them now, so no going back! Also, what was that Siemens VDO piece that was attached to the bottom of the face plate? I didn't see one mentioned in the OP, but mine had some sort of sensor or piece of electronics there..... I had hoped there was room where the ash tray is for a DIN or Half DIN DVD player. I want to add monitors for the kids, and it looks like an ideal spot for the player. I guess my other option is to have the player built into the headrest monitor too, like the ones from Vizualogic. However, they only make them for the 5 and 7 series, so I don't think they'll fit the 3 series.
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06-23-2007, 11:27 AM	#218
Swoop Resident Noob 134 Rep 1,911 Posts Drives: You Crazy w/ My Rear Fogs Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manhattan Beach, California iTrader: (6) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00] 2004 Acura TSX [0.00]	Just did it on the GF's car and doing mine next week......I love the happy robot.... __________________ A/W 335i e90 l Sirius l M6 Wheels l M5 Bumper l Eibachs l 20% Tint l CPE Exhaust & Standback l BLK Matte Trim l Xenon Interiors l Lux 4.0 l 8000k D1S l MTEC H7/H11s l Invisibulbs l BLK Matte Grill l Blacklines l Alum Pedals l Splt Armrest l Rear Fogs l RBT l K&N
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08-07-2007, 09:37 PM	#219
flukey Go big or go home! 52 Rep 948 Posts Drives: E90 335xi Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (9)	Can anyone please help me? I cannot get the bottom left hand corner of the face plate to disconnect. I've tried and tried but it seems like its caught on something. Does anyone have a solution?
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