[RalphyBMW]

I have also posted this in the main "Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications (exterior & interior)" forum, but I know most of us brits hang out in the UK forum.

I'm in the process of trying to retrofit the LCI cupholder to my 4/14 car.
It isn't going entirely to plan, just doesn't seem to engage quite the same, and as a consequence I'm struggling to get the holes / clips to line up.

Has anyone else tried this, am I missing something?

The centre console / armrest are the same between pre- and post-LCI, the dash is the same, so I can't really see why it "shouldn't" work, I'm just having issues!

Any ideas?

Thanks,

[RalphyBMW]

Just did this mod, this post was very helpful in terms of showing what needs to be trimmed.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...&postcount=128

I bought the part for £35 new and unused from an eBay seller in Germany;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/331801731062

Tried cheating and bought a spare centre console & armrest - which, once I'd cleaned it up turned out to be utterly useless to me as it is from a manual - d'oh!

So, having given the spare armrest/console a good course of looking at, I then set about dismantling the interior of my car.

This was relatively straightforward, other than the wiring for the glovebox illumination which I managed to damage. New part is on order.

Gear lever surround just pulls up, I got my nails under the silver trim.
Drive mode / PDC / ESP panel unclips from the front, there is a clip at the rear too, but it's tricky to get to, a bit of wiggling and it came out.

Long aluminium trip housing the iDrive controller just lifts out with a good tug.

Carefully unclip loom to iDrive and to drive control button panel.

2 torx to remove cup holder, gentle tug up, unscrew retaining torx for key sensor, disconnect outlet power connector, put cup holder panel aside.

Remove four torx holding the gear shifter in place, disconnect connector, set aside.

Remove 3 x 10mm bolts, 3 x torx.

Loom for iDrive is clipped in place in front of the shifter, remove this clip.

Move to the rear, sharp tug removed the rear vent surround, careful not to pull too much as this has an electrical connector.

Disconnect electrical connector, unbolt torx retaining Bluetooth antenna(?), disconnect loom for armrest illumination (if fitted), this is a crap thing, I managed to break the plug on mine.

Remove the air vent duct, takes a bit of wiggling to get by the retaining clips, but will pull straight out.

Disconnect USB and line in - you access these through the rear of the armrest, using the space I vacated by the duct.

Unbolt two 10mm nuts holding armrest in place at the rear.

Remove hand brake gaitor - this isn't as easy as it sounds, unclip from inside, pull inside out and cut the cable tie securing it around the handle.

I also dropped the upper footwell trims, two 10mm bolts each, just helps removal and reinstallation.

I took a number of photos while I was doing it to ensure I remembered wiring routing.

Trim the front part per the link above; on the manual I don't think you need to trim the part just in f not of the shifter, but on the auto you do.

The front part of the armrest needs quite a lot cutting out to make room for the sliding cover.

The dash also needs a small amount trimming just under the mounting bolts for the new assembly.

It took a few hours, looks good though, I had to fiddle to get the cup holder bottoms out of my current setup, but this wasn't too bad.

Reassembly is pretty much the reverse, just make sure you have everything lined up before you start screwing things together, and do make sure you have trimmed enough off for the cover to slide unimpeded.

Hope this is of some use, any questions please ask.

[ukbeemerboy]

Was it really worth the hassle?

[RalphyBMW]

It's not a big difference, but I prefer the aesthetic.

Will see he I feel absolutely it it when I've used it a few times; car hasn't left the garage yet.

[ukbeemerboy]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

It's not a big difference, but I prefer the aesthetic.

Will see he I feel absolutely it it when I've used it a few times; car hasn't left the garage yet.

I agree it looks nice and makes it more useable

[SkyJawa]

Considering there was a thread recently where lci owners were slating it, doesn't seem worth the hassle......

[RalphyBMW]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Considering there was a thread recently where lci owners were slating it, doesn't seem worth the hassle......

Really?
I missed that.
5 min job to switch back if I don't like it

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Having tried the LCI setup for a few minutes, I'm no fan of where the power socket is located. On my pre-LCI I have a dual USB socket and I can perch my phone my phone there too. Shame they moved the socket to the front now, I like the roller top (mind you, I'd likely leave it open anyway!).

[Wills2]

Well done looks a tidy job and you now know your car that little bit more.

I did some DIY on my M5 fitting the gloss black grills front and side and the carbon trim inside, feels good when you succeed! But scary when you're half way through and lots of wires and bits are on show.

[B58_Touring]

Looks good, I was interested in swapping this out too. It annoys me having to remove the cup holder cover and stash it somewhere. I never use the compartment in front or the power socket located there either. Any Idea how much these parts are from the dealer?

[RalphyBMW]

I seem to recall that the main cup holder assembly is around £80 from a dealer, but the German seller in the eBay link above is selling new RHD parts for £40 or best offer. I got mine for £35.

[Kal101]

That's some serious work there Ralphy. Was tempted but the trimming bits off scares me

Good luck OP with the mod and don't forget to post some pics

[RalphyBMW]

Taking a jigsaw to your centre console isn't for the faint hearted!

[RalphyBMW]

Photos of the tray with the lid open
The cable tie securing the handbrake gaitor, and where the console needs trimming just ahead of the auto shifter.

[cesare87]

I was tempted to do this myself but then saw everyone saying the new lci cup holders suck so that put me off.

Nice DIY though.

[gotomoto]

Actually the early production Lci cup holders have flimsy sliding mechanism. They are the ones that suck. But if you can get a newer manufactured cup holder, it is very very nice BMW like good quality. I think BWM realised the item was bad quality so they fixed it.

Originally Posted by cesare87

I was tempted to do this myself but then saw everyone saying the new lci cup holders suck so that put me off.

Nice DIY though.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

Photos of the tray with the lid open
The cable tie securing the handbrake gaitor, and where the console needs trimming just ahead of the auto shifter.

Just curious, if i want to revert back to the pre lci holder, since there are trimming, would the pre lci holder fit in just fine and do not wobble or create unnecessary noise due to trimming (less part)?

Thanks.

[RalphyBMW]

Originally Posted by gameson

Just curious, if i want to revert back to the pre lci holder, since there are trimming, would the pre lci holder fit in just fine and do not wobble or create unnecessary noise due to trimming (less part)?

Thanks.

It'll be fine

[Zheez]

Yep it fits fine. I did this to my previous F30. I got involved in an accident and the car was written off but before I handed it over I put the original cup holders back in. Everything was fine, you’d never even know anything was cut out.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

It'll be fine

That’s a quick reply, thanks. One more question, is it possible to just buy the cup holder and not the whole trim? Please see pictures.

From this post, it looks similar, the mounting point and holes are the same

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&postcount=126