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      03-26-2014, 01:13 PM   #1
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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.

So, here are the pictures of my DIY. Apology on non focused picture.

The parts itself




Original Stock condition (What a waste of space!!!)


Step 1:
Remove the rubber mat on the bottom of the compartment, and you will see the 2 screw on the bottom. Lift up the cradle and you will see 1 screw behind the base.
The 4th screw is the tricky part, you have to remove the fan cover then pull the fan outward gently as there are wires connecting the fan to the power supply.

Screw position:
2 on the bottom


1 behind the cradle


1 behind the fan




Step 2:
Once you got all the screws out, pull the cover gently as there are some cables behind it.
Then unplug the cable 1 by 1. You might want to use small flat screwdriver to push the tab down.


Removed cover.


Step 3, which is the last step unfortunately.
Put the replacement cover to its position and it is all held down by clips, no screws needed.
Make sure the bottom 2 tab inserted to the position first.
Afterward, replace the rubber mat on the bottom of the compartment.

Yay!!! I got plenty of compartment space now.


Good luck and have fun with the small project.
Let me know if help needed in getting the parts.

~ Ben
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      03-26-2014, 09:49 PM   #2
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Very good info. A massive improvement over the e70 where the only way to disconnect the cradle is to diss-assemble the entire center console and disconnect the connectors at the very bottom. A royal PITA. This improves upon that by a magnitude.

Although trying to figure out the connectors. Power. USB control. External antenna

Don't know what the 4th connector is .... Perhaps the old iPod out (composite video) "plugin" capability ... Thought that was EOL.
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      03-27-2014, 07:40 AM   #3
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So by unplugging all those wires did you lose power to anything in that compartment like the USB or anything else?
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      03-27-2014, 02:49 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by apw2607 View Post
Very good info. A massive improvement over the e70 where the only way to disconnect the cradle is to diss-assemble the entire center console and disconnect the connectors at the very bottom. A royal PITA. This improves upon that by a magnitude.

Although trying to figure out the connectors. Power. USB control. External antenna

Don't know what the 4th connector is .... Perhaps the old iPod out (composite video) "plugin" capability ... Thought that was EOL.
I just looked on the take off. Here are the wires.

- Black Round connector is Coax, it is for the external antenna
- Blue Round connector is 4 pin, not sure what it is for
- Small Black connector is 2 pin, it is for the fan power
- Big Black connector is multiple pin, I think it is for the iPhone connector

Quote:
Originally Posted by bothfly View Post
So by unplugging all those wires did you lose power to anything in that compartment like the USB or anything else?
The USB and the AUX plug is independent, will not be interrupted by removing the phone cradle. The cigarette lighter plug also still working.
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      03-28-2014, 01:22 AM   #5
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Nice DIY. One question though (still waiting on my F15, so can't check myself): what was the fan used for in the first place? Does it cool the console or what?
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      03-28-2014, 07:33 AM   #6
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Where did you order the part from?
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      03-28-2014, 09:54 AM   #7
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Apparently there is another part that you can order and keep the fan in place.
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      03-28-2014, 03:43 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Armen383 View Post
Nice DIY. One question though (still waiting on my F15, so can't check myself): what was the fan used for in the first place? Does it cool the console or what?
Not really sure, I never see it ever run. Maybe it only run when you have the phone on the cradle to keep it cool.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bothfly View Post
Where did you order the part from?
You can get it from your local dealer or some BMW parts online store.
I have a few on order for the meets.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Genechen22 View Post
Apparently there is another part that you can order and keep the fan in place.
Gene, I have looked on the BMW parts catalog and there are no other part to delete the phone cradle while keeping the fan in place.
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      03-29-2014, 06:13 PM   #9
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It seems crazy you have to order parts to remove this. The UK standard spec gives you no cradle (I.e. useful storage space as standard). Although it would no doubt cost a fortune if you did want a cradle.
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      03-29-2014, 11:56 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Armen383 View Post
Nice DIY. One question though (still waiting on my F15, so can't check myself): what was the fan used for in the first place? Does it cool the console or what?
Not really sure, I never see it ever run. Maybe it only run when you have the phone on the cradle to keep it cool.
My phone in the cradle in my F30 gets pretty hot after not all that long (less than an hour). So it stands to reason that the fan is to cool the phone. Just my assumption though..
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      03-30-2014, 01:26 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MJF120 View Post
It seems crazy you have to order parts to remove this. The UK standard spec gives you no cradle (I.e. useful storage space as standard). Although it would no doubt cost a fortune if you did want a cradle.
Are you referring to the Enhanced Bluetooth and USB or the Snap In Adaptor which you put the phone into?
The former is £350 pre discount the latter is usually FOC thrown in as part of the deal from the dealer.
Both are well worth in IMO as much safer and easier to use when driving.
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      03-30-2014, 07:04 AM   #12
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I did this "mod" yesterday. The most challenging part is getting the wires to unplug. Probably the best advice that I can use is to look at the photos that are provided in this thread to see where to disconnect them and work from there. The smallest wire just pulls apart at the connection, the two middle ones had a lock to press to get them to release and the largest one had a plastic handle that had to be release and pulled over to get it to disconnect.

thank you for your help. I now have a useful center console. Much appreciated.
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      04-25-2014, 03:28 PM   #13
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What about the power cable that powers the fan? I can't find the part where it connects in to unhook. Did you just cut those wires?
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      04-25-2014, 03:32 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dliu123 View Post
What about the power cable that powers the fan? I can't find the part where it connects in to unhook. Did you just cut those wires?
No, I didn't cut it. It is also a plug that you can just pull it apart.
On my picture is the small black plug with white and brown cable.
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      04-25-2014, 04:11 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33 View Post
No, I didn't cut it. It is also a plug that you can just pull it apart.
On my picture is the small black plug with white and brown cable.
Ben, in the previous console, there is a vent for the fan that keeps the compartment cool. Did you leave the connection to that fan disconnected since there is no vent for it to allow air through? Otherwise, won't it just be blowing cool air into the wall of the closed compartment?

I actually want to order this and do this setup myself because I use such compartments in all my vehicles for important things like leaving my phone or placing a box of tissues, etc. I'm just curious about the vent/fan. Do they make compartments with a vent included? Let me know buddy, thank you!
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      04-25-2014, 04:14 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opasha View Post
Ben, in the previous console, there is a vent for the fan that keeps the compartment cool. Did you leave the connection to that fan disconnected since there is no vent for it to allow air through? Otherwise, won't it just be blowing cool air into the wall of the closed compartment?

I actually want to order this and do this setup myself because I use such compartments in all my vehicles for important things like leaving my phone or placing a box of tissues, etc. I'm just curious about the vent/fan. Do they make compartments with a vent included? Let me know buddy, thank you!
The fan is totally unplugged, because on the replacement cover, there is no mounting or holes to mount it or let the air passes through.
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      04-25-2014, 05:49 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33 View Post
The fan is totally unplugged, because on the replacement cover, there is no mounting or holes to mount it or let the air passes through.
Gotcha, thanks for the info! Are you happy/satisfied with it? Also, what tool did you use to remove the screws? From your pictures it's tough to tell if that's a hex or something more complex (polydrive?). Thanks .

Last edited by opasha; 04-25-2014 at 06:17 PM..
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      04-25-2014, 08:51 PM   #18
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Opasha, I am very satisfied and happy with it
I am not willing to spend a cradle since iPhone coming up with new version every year (hint: iPhone 6 is around the corner), while Android phone are too many variant.
Even if I decided to get the cradle, it is totally useless since it still can't read email and text, and can't even play the video from it. Just same basic functional which you can do with bluetooth already.
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      04-25-2014, 09:12 PM   #19
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I believe the screws are T20 torx screws. I did the mod today. The previous posts were invaluable, especially the post covering how to unclip the cables - that was the toughest part. Total time about 15 minutes.
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      04-25-2014, 09:12 PM   #20
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Great job! I want to remove mine as soon as I get my car. What a waste of space.
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      04-25-2014, 09:17 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by r33 View Post
Opasha, I am very satisfied and happy with it
I am not willing to spend a cradle since iPhone coming up with new version every year (hint: iPhone 6 is around the corner), while Android phone are too many variant.
Even if I decided to get the cradle, it is totally useless since it still can't read email and text, and can't even play the video from it. Just same basic functional which you can do with bluetooth already.
Agreed. Bluetooth serves all the functions at the moment for the phone setup. I have a Galaxy Note 3 - it can't even fit in the cradle area, so that alone makes it pointless, lol.
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      04-25-2014, 09:56 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by USAusi
I believe the screws are T20 torx screws. I did the mod today. The previous posts were invaluable, especially the post covering how to unclip the cables - that was the toughest part. Total time about 15 minutes.
I am sorry about that.
I thought that steps doesn't need explanation since unplugging is pretty straight forward.
Just find the pressable end of the plug and pull it apart.
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