Replacing a cup holder-DIY?
 

I have a replacement cup holder (front-passenger side; '08 X3 ), and hope to remove the old broken one and install the new one myself.

Are there any "tricks" to this DIY project? The unit has two tabs along the top edge (must slide under the dash trim?) and 3 or 4 snap-in posts on the back side...very Germanic design, I say.

Any DIY advice will be appreciated.

relinuca

Check out this link

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...up-holder.html

I wouldn't recommend using wd-40 to lube the plastic gears. I think white lithium grease is more 'plastic friendly'. To remove the plastic parts I picked up a set of trim tools from harbour freight. Pretty cheap and prevents marring the surfaces.

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece...set-67021.html

Thanks!
 

My thanks to rdc8118 in Ontario for the DIY link. I followed it exactly and saved myself about $300 over dealer estimated costs. I also picked up the Harbor Freight trim tools for $8-9, which made the job easier.

relinuca

PS: Kudos to the German engineers for designing the most absurdly complicated and fragile
cup holder imaginable. The darn thing looks like a high school science project gone wild.