IDrive and Cupholder

[adgrant]

Is there anyway to get a 1 series in the US with IDrive but without that stupid cup holder thing they stick on the right hand side of the console. It looks so cheap and nasty.

[RockyRoad]

Is there anyway to get a 1 series in the US with IDrive but without that stupid cup holder thing they stick on the right hand side of the console. It looks so cheap and nasty.
The spare cupholder comes straight out..
It'll take about 2 seconds of your time to delete it.

[adgrant]

The spare cupholder comes straight out..
It'll take about 2 seconds of your time to delete it.

Does it leave some sort of hole in the console or do they have some sort of plug.

[BJDrew]

On the passenger side of the center console, there is a clot that is attached to accomodate the cupholder. I believe that you can have this removed if you don't like the way it looks. I really didn't like it - but opted out of the NAV. Germans and cupholders still don't get along.

[adgrant]

On the passenger side of the center console, there is a clot that is attached to accomodate the cupholder. I believe that you can have this removed if you don't like the way it looks. I really didn't like it - but opted out of the NAV. Germans and cupholders still don't get along.

For me the NAV is a deal breaker, I wouldn't buy a car without one. The cupholder though is a problem.

[AzNMpower32]

That's wierd. The coupe/cabriolet must have different layouts from the E87 hatch.

The 118i we had in Germany had iDrive/Business sat nav, along with the Storage package, which included a centre armrest. The "penalty" of iDrive was that you lost one drink holder. So we were left with one drink holder underneath a swivelling centre armrest. Nothing odd sticking out from the dash.........:dunno:

[adgrant]

That's wierd. The coupe/cabriolet must have different layouts from the E87 hatch.

The 118i we had in Germany had iDrive/Business sat nav, along with the Storage package, which included a centre armrest. The "penalty" of iDrive was that you lost one drink holder. So we were left with one drink holder underneath a swivelling centre armrest. Nothing odd sticking out from the dash.........:dunno:

Unfortunately it seems that BMW NA has decided that one cupholder is not enough and has felt compelled to stick a big ugly cup holder next to the gear selector. It looks like something one might buy in the auto department at Walmart.

[AzNMpower32]

Unfortunately it seems that BMW NA has decided that one cupholder is not enough and has felt compelled to stick a big ugly cup holder next to the gear selector. It looks like something one might buy in the auto department at Walmart.
It's actually an option in Germany as well, but of course, nobody orders it.

I feel bad for all the 6er owners........I think some years had that as well. Imagine that on a $70k+ car. I saw it once, and thought it was aftermarket.

[Tom K.]

Unfortunately it seems that BMW NA has decided that one cupholder is not enough and has felt compelled to stick a big ugly cup holder next to the gear selector. It looks like something one might buy in the auto department at Walmart.
The one built-in cupholder with iDrive is unusable as it is under the armrest. So while you may object aesthetically to BMW's solution, it is a practical one. If you have no need of the cupholder, remove it, stow it in the trunk and fume about the small slot that remains in your console.
Tom

[adgrant]

The one built-in cupholder with iDrive is unusable as it is under the armrest. So while you may object aesthetically to BMW's solution, it is a practical one. If you have no need of the cupholder, remove it, stow it in the trunk and fume about the small slot that remains in your console.
Tom

So it does leave a hole in the console when you remove it?

[nobbyv]

So it does leave a hole in the console when you remove it?


It's got a spring-loaded cover that pops up to cover the slot when you pull the holder out. Mine's been in the trunk since Day 1 (in case of long road trips, etc where I might need it).

[Tom K.]

What looks like the exact same cupholder is also found in the $75k+ 6 series.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/BYO/ByoHome.aspx?namodelcode=0867&from=%2fStandard%2fContent%2fVehicles%2f2008%2f6%2 f650iCoupe%2fBYORD.aspx

(Navigate to Interior - Dashboard view)
Tom

[adgrant]

It's got a spring-loaded cover that pops up to cover the slot when you pull the holder out. Mine's been in the trunk since Day 1 (in case of long road trips, etc where I might need it).

Not too terrible. Thanks for the info.

[BJDrew]

Inside BMW - Transcript from 1-Series Design Session:

Designer: Herr supervisor. Ziss iDrive eliminates one cupholder
Heinrich: ACTUNG! Vee need no cupholders! Vee are GERMAN
Designer: Nien! Americans - they sip the coffee in the car
Heinrich: Nien! nien! They schtill have one left. That ist ENOUGH!
Designer: Doch! One is enough, but vee covered it wiss the ARMREST!
Heinrich: ACHTUNG! Who authorized ziss ARMREST? Rest is for girly man!
Designer: Herr supervisor... I have solution. Vee add iDrive, and install ugly American cupholder from ugly American company
Heinrich: VallMART?
Designer: Doch! It vill be done

[bdardashti]

LMAO. wow that was very nicely written!

[AzNMpower32]

No, I don't think that would occur in the design room. More like, a meeting between BMW NA and BMW AG, where the American marketing folks, in their usual incorrect perception of the US market, insisted that there be 2 cupholders. So, BMW AG relented and said "Ok, we will find a way to fit a second cupholder."

But they soon realised it was already 5pm, and instead of finding a clever solution, decided to write it off and just put a plastic add-on piece. They knew they would be busy designing the X6 the next day, and couldn't care less about spending more time for a stupid cupholder.

[Lovesound]

Can someone please upload a picture that shows the console /w the cupholder removed but the spring-cover in its place?

Thanks. :confused:

[AndyM]

Can someone please upload a picture that shows the console /w the cupholder removed but the spring-cover in its place?

Thanks. :confused:

From a thread over at 1addicts: (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7710&highlight=cupholder)

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6101&stc=1&d=1208801307

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6102&stc=1&d=1208801307

[Lovesound]

Thanks. The shutter looks ok in my eyes.

What's the deal with the different shades of gray on the AC vs stereo? Now THAT looks cheap. :thumbdwn:

edit: Probably the flash messed it up.

[adgrant]

Inside BMW - Transcript from 1-Series Design Session:

Designer: Herr supervisor. Ziss iDrive eliminates one cupholder
Heinrich: ACTUNG! Vee need no cupholders! Vee are GERMAN
Designer: Nien! Americans - they sip the coffee in the car
Heinrich: Nien! nien! They schtill have one left. That ist ENOUGH!
Designer: Doch! One is enough, but vee covered it wiss the ARMREST!
Heinrich: ACHTUNG! Who authorized ziss ARMREST? Rest is for girly man!
Designer: Herr supervisor... I have solution. Vee add iDrive, and install ugly American cupholder from ugly American company
Heinrich: VallMART?
Designer: Doch! It vill be done

Very funny