DIY - Sunglass holder (replaces ashtray)

StuartT-E90 · 08-19-2011, 09:44 AM

Sweet D.I.Y job thanks. pictures are great

Happy4ever · 08-31-2011, 01:18 AM

Great mod,
Does anyone knows how to remove the center console trim with a dct knob?
Wanted to do this mod but i am afarid to break something there.
thanks

moar · 10-25-2011, 04:38 AM

Cheers guys did this today.

Don't really have any tips as it's all in here.

Did it aswell as my Valentine and roadhawk wiring to the fusebox

BB_cuda · 11-15-2011, 07:00 PM

okay, you guys are going to think i'm stupid but i want to do the opposite of this DIY thread. I have the sun glass holder but it is always open, i.e no lid. My charging chord on my cell phone is a PITA and if i use the power port inside the console, i cannot close the lid. Trying to drive with the lid open is sort of dorky. I want the power port up in the ashtray area. Any chance someone wants to sell their removed ashtray complete with lighter socket. I'm considering just drilling a hole in my sunglass holder tray and adding the lighter assy only. That way i can have the best of both worlds. My 2011 E90 only has the one power port in the entire car in the console unless one of you guys can tell me where another is.

Assari · 11-28-2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

okay, you guys are going to think i'm stupid but i want to do the opposite of this DIY thread. I have the sun glass holder but it is always open, i.e no lid. My charging chord on my cell phone is a PITA and if i use the power port inside the console, i cannot close the lid. Trying to drive with the lid open is sort of dorky. I want the power port up in the ashtray area. Any chance someone wants to sell their removed ashtray complete with lighter socket. I'm considering just drilling a hole in my sunglass holder tray and adding the lighter assy only. That way i can have the best of both worlds. My 2011 E90 only has the one power port in the entire car in the console unless one of you guys can tell me where another is.

Hi guys. I want to do the opposite also. Got the part today from the local BMW dealer here in Finland and paid 67 euros (part number 51 16 7 132 380, includes everything needed). I have a few questions: My car is a 2008 335Xi with automatic transmission, so is the removal of the console the same as in manual and is there a socket already under the console to plug in the lighter or do I have to do any electrical wiring?

Thanks a lot guys!

Assari · 12-05-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assari

Hi guys. I want to do the opposite also. Got the part today from the local BMW dealer here in Finland and paid 67 euros (part number 51 16 7 132 380, includes everything needed). I have a few questions: My car is a 2008 335Xi with automatic transmission, so is the removal of the console the same as in manual and is there a socket already under the console to plug in the lighter or do I have to do any electrical wiring?

Thanks a lot guys!

Did the opposite today, but my car didn't have a plug under the center console for the ashtray power outlet, so i'll have to find a way to get the power from some other wires, I guess I will call the dealer and ask them to do it.

y2kunals · 12-27-2011, 09:04 PM

awesome DIY!

spidercrab · 02-03-2012, 04:29 AM

Thanks for posting these instructions.

I ordered the holder from my local BMW dealer in UK for £17.

Removing the gaiter was easy, and with a firm pull I removed the silver trim on the center console.

The lid, like many others, was resistant to removal. In the end I used a tool for removing the backs off snap fit watches, but really any strong blunt knife like a butter knife would do. I had to use so much force that I thought I was close to breaking something, but in the end all 5 clips released and the lid cam off.

PS What a complex over engineered ash tray. This should have just been a pop out the ash tray and lighter and snap in the sunglasses tray solution.

Anyway, good job done in the end.

gbpackersfan11 · 03-22-2012, 09:41 PM

Are dealerships the only place where you can get the sun glass tray? Can't seem to find them online anywhere. maybe its just not for my car.

seether4113 · 04-18-2012, 08:30 PM

All the tips in here worked great. Whoever mentioned straddling the console and pulling on it to release it; thanks! That piece was tough to get leverage on until I did it that way.

PeteJonesN54 · 04-19-2012, 10:29 PM

hows install w auto? nd can i keep the top folding piece off?

vqdiablo · 06-30-2012, 04:17 AM

Nice thanks

Robspages · 07-04-2012, 01:21 PM

Just performed this mod this morning. True to form, it took roughly 30 minutes on my 09 335d with Steptronic.

Has anyone attempted to mod either this sunglass holder or the coverless version to include a power port?

Bronze · 07-04-2012, 08:49 PM

Very useful thread. I installed the open tray replacement today. I bought mine from ECS for about the same price + shipping as any other site. A minor difference for me was that my four screws were T10 size. Others have had larger.

Apex_L8 · 08-07-2012, 09:29 PM

Excellent thread, thanks!

hoodie · 09-01-2012, 04:04 PM

Just did this, thanks for the pics! I would say the lid is the most difficult part. The whole center trim is a bit scary but just a little force and it'll be off.

The way I did the lid was use a long flat head screwdriver and pop off the top (like it is in the picture). Once one side is popped off I would slide a pry tool gently to pop it off.

JUSTIN808 · 09-12-2012, 09:10 PM

i dont know if anyone else found this but here is the parts list for the lid trim pieces in the different finishes. I have a 2011 and need to order the lid trim as well as the sunglass holder with lid.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...24&hg=51&fg=35

chuffykow · 10-03-2012, 03:37 PM

I followed this guide with out any issues last spring. I dremeled out two small holes and installed the leftover orange LEDs from the ash tray and then super-glued them in place. My change and other stuff is now conveniently lit up during the night.

DiscoMike · 10-20-2012, 05:27 PM

I just performed the mod myself on the 2009 335i X-Drive Coupe. Mine featured an iDrive. The hardest part was removing the center console area. All you need is a Torx 10 Screwdriver and alot of persistence.

Took me 30 minutes to remove the console, then 10 minutes to replace the ashtray with the sunglasses holder and put the console back in place.

Make sure to remove the connectors from the iDrive and the ashtray area after the console has been removed from the housing, but before completly removing the console.

klavdy · 10-23-2012, 12:33 AM

Just adding a couple of words to make it easier to find via a search:

Auto I Drive Console Remove Ashtray Coin Stuck e92 335i how to

I had a coin stuck in my ashtray, the lid would not open or close.
I read through lots of posts on this and other forums and got stuck at the below pictured part,lifting the trim surround out.
I thought there must have been clips or something holding it in place.
Nope.
Just needed some muscle.

After reading through all the other posts, it was then apparent that you need to really use a fair bit of muscle to pull that console trim off.
That's all that was holding me back, being too scared to give it some strength in case it got borked.
Make sure your armrest is back and pull up on the trim bit very firmly, it'll soon give.
Then, it's easy to take the whole thing out.
Oh, I had to put the shifter knob back on and shift into drive to have the trim surround clear the shaft,then pull the knob off again.
That doesn't sound right, does it?
Never mind,you'll see what I mean if you do it.

blingman · 11-11-2012, 10:04 PM

Sweet DIY, I will be doing this soon, but have a question: I ready that the car have to be running when doing this with the shift knob on? Cant we just have the car in ACC mode, it will still allow you to shift with the car off?

Thanks!

starbai · 11-23-2012, 04:39 PM

Does anyone know that if the LCI cars that come with the sunglass holder from the factory (no door, no ashtray, no lighter) have the same plug in the console for cars with it?

I bought a ashtray/door/lighter from someone on the forum because I like the idea of having that port up there (at least till I get a chance to hardwire my radar/laser jammer) ---

But when I took apart the console today I couldn't find the plug in there that I'd need to plug my lighter assembly to.

So, if I have to hardwire it somewhere else now with t-taps/splicing... does anyone know where else would make sense to grab the power from? I guess I'd have to further disassemble the console since the powerport/usb are all in the armrest storage...

08-19-2011, 09:44 AM	#287
StuartT-E90 Stuie e90 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 316i e90 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Dublin, Ireland iTrader: (0)	Sweet D.I.Y job thanks. pictures are great
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08-31-2011, 01:18 AM	#288
Happy4ever New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: e92 335i LCI - e39 530dA Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Paris iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 335i E92 LCI K ... [3.00]	Great mod, Does anyone knows how to remove the center console trim with a dct knob? Wanted to do this mod but i am afarid to break something there. thanks Attached Images
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10-25-2011, 04:38 AM	#289
moar First Lieutenant 14 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: sheffield uk iTrader: (0)	Cheers guys did this today. Don't really have any tips as it's all in here. Did it aswell as my Valentine and roadhawk wiring to the fusebox __________________ 2007 330i M Sport Saloon Le Mans Blue Active steering - Comfort Access - Bluetooth -TV - Heated Electric Memory Leather Seats - Auto - Logic 7 - Pro Nav - Adaptive Xenon Headlights BMW Assist - iPod integration - Swirl free .
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11-15-2011, 07:00 PM	#290
BB_cuda Brigadier General 764 Rep 3,555 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	okay, you guys are going to think i'm stupid but i want to do the opposite of this DIY thread. I have the sun glass holder but it is always open, i.e no lid. My charging chord on my cell phone is a PITA and if i use the power port inside the console, i cannot close the lid. Trying to drive with the lid open is sort of dorky. I want the power port up in the ashtray area. Any chance someone wants to sell their removed ashtray complete with lighter socket. I'm considering just drilling a hole in my sunglass holder tray and adding the lighter assy only. That way i can have the best of both worlds. My 2011 E90 only has the one power port in the entire car in the console unless one of you guys can tell me where another is.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-27-2011, 09:04 PM	#293
y2kunals Bavarian Titan 1 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 6MT 335is Le Mans Blue (1of46) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	awesome DIY! __________________ JOY WAS BORN FOR THE LEFT LANE
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02-03-2012, 04:29 AM	#294
spidercrab New Member 2 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 320d M-Sport Touring 2005 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Wales iTrader: (0)	Thanks for posting these instructions. I ordered the holder from my local BMW dealer in UK for £17. Removing the gaiter was easy, and with a firm pull I removed the silver trim on the center console. The lid, like many others, was resistant to removal. In the end I used a tool for removing the backs off snap fit watches, but really any strong blunt knife like a butter knife would do. I had to use so much force that I thought I was close to breaking something, but in the end all 5 clips released and the lid cam off. PS What a complex over engineered ash tray. This should have just been a pop out the ash tray and lighter and snap in the sunglasses tray solution. Anyway, good job done in the end.
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03-22-2012, 09:41 PM	#295
gbpackersfan11 First Lieutenant 12 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2013 Porsche 958 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 Porsche Cayenne S [10.00] 2008 BMW 328XI [10.00]	Are dealerships the only place where you can get the sun glass tray? Can't seem to find them online anywhere. maybe its just not for my car.
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04-18-2012, 08:30 PM	#296
seether4113 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Denton, TX iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i coupe [0.00]	All the tips in here worked great. Whoever mentioned straddling the console and pulling on it to release it; thanks! That piece was tough to get leverage on until I did it that way.
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04-19-2012, 10:29 PM	#297
PeteJonesN54 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 08 335i 4dr Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	hows install w auto? nd can i keep the top folding piece off?
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06-30-2012, 04:17 AM	#298
vqdiablo Enlisted Member 2 Rep 33 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Louisiana iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00]	Nice thanks
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07-04-2012, 01:21 PM	#299
Robspages Driver 1 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2009 Alpine White 335d Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Atglen,PA iTrader: (0)	Just performed this mod this morning. True to form, it took roughly 30 minutes on my 09 335d with Steptronic. Has anyone attempted to mod either this sunglass holder or the coverless version to include a power port?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-04-2012, 08:49 PM	#300
Bronze First Lieutenant 12 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2008 335i sedan Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Berkley, MI iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	Very useful thread. I installed the open tray replacement today. I bought mine from ECS for about the same price + shipping as any other site. A minor difference for me was that my four screws were T10 size. Others have had larger. __________________ Bronze 2008 335i sedan \| black/black \| Sport \| Premium
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08-07-2012, 09:29 PM	#301
Apex_L8 Private 2 Rep 95 Posts Drives: Bimmer Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Excellent thread, thanks!
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09-01-2012, 04:04 PM	#302
hoodie Private First Class 9 Rep 110 Posts Drives: 08 328i coupe Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	Just did this, thanks for the pics! I would say the lid is the most difficult part. The whole center trim is a bit scary but just a little force and it'll be off. The way I did the lid was use a long flat head screwdriver and pop off the top (like it is in the picture). Once one side is popped off I would slide a pry tool gently to pop it off.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-12-2012, 09:10 PM	#303
JUSTIN808 Private First Class 7 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 22 X4MC, 22 Ridgeline RTLE. Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: HONOLULU iTrader: (0)	i dont know if anyone else found this but here is the parts list for the lid trim pieces in the different finishes. I have a 2011 and need to order the lid trim as well as the sunglass holder with lid. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...24&hg=51&fg=35
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-03-2012, 03:37 PM	#304
chuffykow New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: '06 E90 330i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I followed this guide with out any issues last spring. I dremeled out two small holes and installed the leftover orange LEDs from the ash tray and then super-glued them in place. My change and other stuff is now conveniently lit up during the night.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2012, 05:27 PM	#305
DiscoMike BIMMER-1 18 Rep 180 Posts Drives: 335i-X Drive - M-Sport PP CWP Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (3)	I just performed the mod myself on the 2009 335i X-Drive Coupe. Mine featured an iDrive. The hardest part was removing the center console area. All you need is a Torx 10 Screwdriver and alot of persistence. Took me 30 minutes to remove the console, then 10 minutes to replace the ashtray with the sunglasses holder and put the console back in place. Make sure to remove the connectors from the iDrive and the ashtray area after the console has been removed from the housing, but before completly removing the console. __________________ Is it me, or is it the Bimmer?
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10-23-2012, 12:33 AM	#306
klavdy New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Just adding a couple of words to make it easier to find via a search: Auto I Drive Console Remove Ashtray Coin Stuck e92 335i how to I had a coin stuck in my ashtray, the lid would not open or close. I read through lots of posts on this and other forums and got stuck at the below pictured part,lifting the trim surround out. I thought there must have been clips or something holding it in place. Nope. Just needed some muscle. After reading through all the other posts, it was then apparent that you need to really use a fair bit of muscle to pull that console trim off. That's all that was holding me back, being too scared to give it some strength in case it got borked. Make sure your armrest is back and pull up on the trim bit very firmly, it'll soon give. Then, it's easy to take the whole thing out. Oh, I had to put the shifter knob back on and shift into drive to have the trim surround clear the shaft,then pull the knob off again. That doesn't sound right, does it? Never mind,you'll see what I mean if you do it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-11-2012, 10:04 PM	#307
blingman Lieutenant 40 Rep 413 Posts Drives: 3er Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston iTrader: (2)	Sweet DIY, I will be doing this soon, but have a question: I ready that the car have to be running when doing this with the shift knob on? Cant we just have the car in ACC mode, it will still allow you to shift with the car off? Thanks!
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11-23-2012, 04:39 PM	#308
starbai PPRSWCE 654 Rep 1,848 Posts Drives: 18 Tanzanite Blue F80 ZCP Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (2)	Does anyone know that if the LCI cars that come with the sunglass holder from the factory (no door, no ashtray, no lighter) have the same plug in the console for cars with it? I bought a ashtray/door/lighter from someone on the forum because I like the idea of having that port up there (at least till I get a chance to hardwire my radar/laser jammer) --- But when I took apart the console today I couldn't find the plug in there that I'd need to plug my lighter assembly to. So, if I have to hardwire it somewhere else now with t-taps/splicing... does anyone know where else would make sense to grab the power from? I guess I'd have to further disassemble the console since the powerport/usb are all in the armrest storage...
	Appreciate 0 Quote