What was the glove box niche designed for?

In my 2012 X3, there is a little niche in the glove box door which was clearly designed to hold something like a small flashlight. There is an indentation about 3.75 inches long with little catches.

It's probably for some European item. Any know for sure?

It is for a flashlight. They used to provide one with the previous generation X3's, but stopped doing so.

As Want the Thrill said, it's for a flashlight. A flashlight with a 14mm diameter will fit nicely in the slot. Somewhere, there's probably a part number from another BMW model that will fit. I have a Coast 7830, purchased from Amazon, in mine. Some say that a Coast G10 will also fit. YMMV.

Yeah, that's what I thought. I was hoping the free Harbor Freight one would fit, but it is too big in diameter.

The older X3's actually had contacts at the base of the indentation for a rechargable flashlight which was furnished. It was/is a POS and also very hard to get out of the slot as well as not providing much light. You are better off without it.

If I remember right, I got an LED Lenser P2 and it fits in that slot perfectly. Super bright.

I have a drawer full of lousy LED flashlights. My favorite for the money is $21, from energizer. It says it's only 50 lumens but compared to other lights I have with much higher ratings, either it is way unrated or they're way overrated. The next best thing after its brightness, it only takes 1 AA.

http://amzn.com/B0018OUWQO