F15 X5 Telephone Cradle in Console DIY

[gqgambler]

Originally Posted by LeopardM3

Yeah that's all fair, though I use a very low profile case because I really hate bulky ones, so wireless charging still works for me. I also just hate plugging the phone in all the time, I don't know what it is, I have an aversion to it now.

I'm still torn about this. But I do really love the organizing tray and actually bought it, it's sitting at home. So I'm ready to install it if I decide to pull out the phone cradle thing.

I hate bulky too and always look for a thin, but strong and protective case. 75% of the time I don't plug my phone it. On short drives its not worth it unless I'm super low on battery. My wife on the other hands loves to plug in at every opportunity. Either way, I think the phone cradle needs to go.

[LeopardM3]

Originally Posted by gqgambler

I hate bulky too and always look for a thin, but strong and protective case. 75% of the time I don't plug my phone it. On short drives its not worth it unless I'm super low on battery. My wife on the other hands loves to plug in at every opportunity. Either way, I think the phone cradle needs to go.

Maybe I'll just say F it and take that thing out this weekend.

[LeopardM3]

UPDATE: I ordered the trim piece part and I'm just going to go ahead and take the phone cradle out this weekend and replace it with that custom tray.

[LeopardM3]

Finally done! I'm so happy. So much more room, and it looks great now!

Here's the whole console, with the new closing trim piece in place:



Disconnecting the wires from that phone cradle was a bit of a PITA, good thing I generally know BMW clip design, so I was able to pick out what kind of clip each was, and then used a sharp flathead to push the right clips holding them in, but it still took me a good 10 min I think to disconnect all 4 wires.

Here is the console now with the new tray in place:


And a shot with the phone fitting nicely in there:

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by LeopardM3

Finally done! I'm so happy. So much more room, and it looks great now!

Here's the whole console, with the new closing trim piece in place:



Disconnecting the wires from that phone cradle was a bit of a PITA, good thing I generally know BMW clip design, so I was able to pick out what kind of clip each was, and then used a sharp flathead to push the right clips holding them in, but it still took me a good 10 min I think to disconnect all 4 wires.

Here is the console now with the new tray in place:


And a shot with the phone fitting nicely in there:

I really want to get one if these.. but I will most likely interfere with my wireless charger 🤣

[LeopardM3]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

I really want to get one if these.. but I will most likely interfere with my wireless charger 🤣

you're lucky to have a wireless charger. My car didn't have it, so easy decision.

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by daytonaviolet

I really want to get one if these.. but I will most likely interfere with my wireless charger ��

I’m wondering if the wireless charger can be retrofitted...

Or one of those trays that come with one.

[W37V]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

I finally received the part that I order a month ago.
It is not much, only $15.74.
The part# is 51 16 9 252 106

Very easy to do, took me 15~20 minutes, most time consuming is unplugging all the connector since they are very hard and tricky.

~ Ben

Thank you for this DIY. Just did the swap and thanks to your instructions, it was a breeze.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by alphaod

I'm wondering if the wireless charger can be retrofitted...

Or one of those trays that come with one.

It is, but it is easier and cheaper to just get that Phone holder with wireless charging capability.

[steamroller]

I'm considering this cradle delete set up, but is anyone here using an Android phone that's done it?

I'm hesitant because ConnectedDrive Apps for Android are only available via USB, not over Bluetooth. That means I have to have the phone plugged in anyway, and means that I'll be stuck with the super slow charging on the other USB port in there.

Has anyone tried removing the cradle but installing a new USB port using the cradle connector? I would be interested in trying something like that but not sure if anyone has tried, or if there is a way of doing so without it looking like a hack.

I saw someone on the F30 forums who did something similar and plugged his ipod in with some foam and put a new tray in over the top...

F.

[bmwx5_Syd]

Many thanks for this. Was putting this off for years but managed to do it over the weekend and its been so good to gain the extra room there.

[TheMane]

Anyone from this thread finding themselves with an old iPhone 5/5S snap-in adapter lying around that they'd be willing to part with?

I've got an old iPhone lying around that I wanted to try plugging in.

Happy to pay shipping + some extra for the trouble!

(It's this one: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...212289718~oeb/)

[raducris]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

I just got a few of the craddle delete in stock.
Let me know if you need them.

If you still have one cover available, please lmk, I'm in Toronto, Canada (postal code L6M 4P1). Thank you

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by raducris

If you still have one cover available, please lmk, I'm in Toronto, Canada (postal code L6M 4P1). Thank you

Always in stock.
You can go to my website make the purchase.
Forum policy doesn't allow me to post my own website link on discussion thread.

[Beest]

Did this today, very easy. I don't have the cover plate yet, so I removed the phone cradle from the plate and put the plate back without the cradle. It's not pretty but for the time being it's better than nothing.

I had to remove 1 small torx screw to push the cradle out and remove 1 clip to get the cables out.

[cello11]

Hi all

I just received my F15 purchased secondhand. it has this snap-in adaptor which takes a lot of space and is pretty useless for modern phones.
But then I found the wireless charging adapter which can be mounted on the snap in adapter (see my picture attached).
With this adapter the phone is nicely fixed and charges and also has the inductive antenna connection to the car outside antenna.

Does anyone has installed this adapter?
And what is your experience?
I read from good to very bad experience (overheating, slow charging, no benefits regarding antenna signal amplification.

Thanks in advance

[RED_Y_]

I considered this wireless charger but the cheapest I was able to find was around $250 and it doesn't fit bigger phones well, so I decided that is too expensive for the wireless charging option.

[cello11]

Thanks, here in Europe the part is available at around 120 EUR. And there is even a modified bracket retrofit available to allow larger phones (175mm length instead of 151mm). Picture shows modified bracket (left) and original bracket (right).