Yet another E39 BMW front cupholders replacement thread

Originally Posted by psa

wow...150.00 bucks....!!!

You can fix the cupholders for free.

Originally Posted by bluebee

You can fix the cupholders for free.

Well that may be true....unless they are severely broken beyond repair, like mine were. The cupholders (both front and rear) were the very first things I had to replace on my own BMW. They are in all reality the weakest link on this entire car. After I replaced them, I realized that they are pretty much just a cosmetic unit for looks only, useless actually. You really can't hold much with them and on the first use of them, they seem like they are about to just break again. So I replaced them just for peace of mind that everything on my BMW is like new and I don't use them EVER so they don't break again.

Replace the cup holder with a new factory original (to maintain the value of your car) and never use it again. Then fork over the cash for a TEC cup holder that replaces the console "Cubby". The is a great cup holder. You may have to get a new travel mug for a snug fit, but it fits the coffee shop cups great. As a plus, it sounds like a sword when opening and closing it.

JBono

Originally Posted by JBono333

Replace the cup holder with a new factory original (to maintain the value of your car) and never use it again. Then fork over the cash for a TEC cup holder that replaces the console "Cubby". The is a great cup holder. You may have to get a new travel mug for a snug fit, but it fits the coffee shop cups great. As a plus, it sounds like a sword when opening and closing it.

JBono

That's what I did...totally love the TEC....

mine were broken when I got the car and I had them replaced and havent touched them sense except to show friends not to f*ck with them.
So what does this one douche bag "friend" do? Starts messing around with the holding trying to figure out wth Im talking about. I could have punched him in the face, they looked like
they were 1nm away from breaking. THen the SOB changes all my radio presets. Im sick of this ricer f*cktard

Originally Posted by Waveho

They are NOT "cupholders." BMW refers to them specifically, and exclusively, as "can holders." They are designed to hold a can, and only a can, of, presumably, soda. No coffee, no Big Gulps, etc. Don't bother fixing them, just keep them closed, or replace them with the little tray strip thing. Useless too, but at least you won't try to put a cup there any more! Get a nice dual cupholder at www.bavauto.com

Hey...thanks for the bavauto.com tip --- she loves the spring-loaded stainless replacement except for that $90 pricetag...somewhere I know I can find one for $40.....

Originally Posted by bluebee

A bit OT, but, I never understood what item #18 is.

I asked way back here; but never got an answer.

Blue...this is your lucky day. Item #18 is a can holder adapter used for the Japanese market. The BMW part # is 51 16 8 218 787 and can be found on the EURO side of sites like Realoem.com.

Click this link and you'll go directly to all the models that have this adapter listed in their diagrams...again...its for the models sent to the Japanese market...apparently they must use a different can diameter standard than the rest of the world: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref....=on&series=E39

Do you guys all really drink that often in your car? My left hand steers, my right hand shifts, I have no extra hands for drinking, nor would I want to in my BMW

Originally Posted by GrahamDesigns

Do you guys all really drink that often in your car? My left hand steers, my right hand shifts, I have no extra hands for drinking, nor would I want to in my BMW

Depends on where you are driving. I drive 25 miles of interstate to work each way, every day. Not too much shifting going on for the majority of my ride. If I'm driving the Blue Ridge Parkway here in Virginia, sure, no way am I drinking anything, and nor would I want to, going up and down on winding curves--fun ride, but it's not the way I for one get to work each day!

Originally Posted by GrahamDesigns

Do you guys all really drink that often in your car? My left hand steers, my right hand shifts, I have no extra hands for drinking, nor would I want to in my BMW

They call them Ultimate Driving Machines for good reason.

Since I got mine, I won't even eat in it.

I guess an automatic would be much easier to quaff a tasty beverage whilst manuvering through traffic so maybe the autos can also double as the Ultimate Drinking Machine.

I got the one that attaches to the door pocket (BavAuto). It works good enough and will fit a little better after I do the cointrayectomy.

Originally Posted by Max_VQ

(BTW: At Tim Hortins a US Small is a Canadian Medium... more super-sizing!!)

1) Don't drink that sludge! :P and 2) They've consistently shrunk cup sizes in the last few years. I get more coffee out of a shot of espresso than a small these days. Cost per coffee (including the cup and labour) is under 15¢. Doesn't that make you happy?

Originally Posted by GrahamDesigns

Do you guys all really drink that often in your car? My left hand steers, my right hand shifts, I have no extra hands for drinking, nor would I want to in my BMW

Exactly. My grandfather's previous car was a '87 300D that didn't have cupholders. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, goddamnit! Eating is for the dining room!

Originally Posted by QSilver7

Item #18 is a can holder adapter used for the Japanese market. The BMW part # is 51 16 8 218 787

Hi Q,
I'm constantly amazed at your ability to find the answers that others (like me) can't seem to find!

I've been to Japan quite a few times and, yes, they do have thinner-diameter coke cans (I guess to go with those slim bodies of theirs).

I even have one in my garage somewhere (I remember packratting it during the recent move). If I can find it, I'll post a pic of it in my lame non-Nippon Germanic cupholders.

Thanks for resolving yet another BMW enigma!

Originally Posted by bluebee

Hi Q...I've been to Japan quite a few times and, yes, they do have thinner-diameter coke cans (I guess to go with those slim bodies of theirs).

I even have one in my garage somewhere (I remember packratting it during the recent move). If I can find it, I'll post a pic of it in my lame non-Nippon Germanic cupholders.

Thanks for resolving yet another BMW enigma!

Hey Blue...glad to give the assist...and if you find the can...please post it...I'd love to see what it looks like.

If you don't feel like posting it to the board...you can PM me with the image.

I heard that the little "rubber" insert for the cup holder is actually for the RedBulls that everyone drinks! no joke...

For the little U-Shaped "adapter" for strengthening the joint, does it still close once installed?

Originally Posted by irija

I heard that the little "rubber" insert for the cup holder is actually for the RedBulls that everyone drinks! no joke...

Hmm...that would be more believable IF the adapter appeared in the diagram and part nbr index for the USA models...but if you click on the link provided in post #57...you will see that none of the USA models appear in the list. Plus when you do click on any of the Euro models diagrams...it specifically says that the #18 (adapter) is for the JAPANESE market.

So...it appears the Red Bull analogy is... BULL! But ironically the Red Bull can has the same shape/size that is used as a standard in the Japanese market.

Originally Posted by QSilver7

if you find the [Japanese coca cola] can...please post it...I'd love to see what it looks like.

Hi QSilver7,
I love your added details always such as your many exquisite PDFs of the BMW reference material, so, I especially looked about today for you (while digging up tax records in the storage area) for that Japanese Coca Cola can.

Here it is!

The Japanese size definitely does NOT fit into the normal USA BMW cupholder as it is both slightly taller and much thinner than a normal USA soda can.

Thanks for solving the riddle! One more BMW enigma bites the dust!

They have a CNC machine at work and I was looking how to machine out of aluminum our cup holders, have them anodized black, then epoxy the black plastic to the face so when closed they look stock... insane?! Likely. Anyways, I bought the BMW e39 SS coffee cup at my local stealer, the ONLY coffee cup I've found that fits as it is squatty enough so the top does not rub on the dash just above the HVAC control module. You have to be careful even so putting the bottom of the cup in the holder and make sure to spread the "arm" away or surely it will snap... CRAZY Germans, I guess they dont want anybody drinking and driving in their cars. Good DIY, I'll need it at some point.

I heard there is a recall

The cupholders are indeed badly designed and it is possible for a cup's fluid to pour into the air vents. I do use mine with success however. On the replacement I cut off the 3 inner tabs that would stress the arm, also I never put in a wide cup. Used as this, it's still better than not having the arm out.

Originally Posted by Hooray!

CRAZY Germans, I guess they dont want anybody drinking and driving in their cars.

Yet those crazy Germans assume all Americans smoke, even the kids on both sides in the back (ash trays everywhere!).

What were they thinking?

Originally Posted by bluebee

Yet those crazy Germans assume all Americans smoke, even the kids on both sides in the back (ash trays everywhere!).

What were they thinking?

I never thought of it that way, but you are right, ashtrays ALL around... light if you got 'em!

Check the "Interior" for sale section - cheap!

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=443960

As a cross reference, other people have the same destruction problem removing the front cupholders.

Also, check out the simple replacements style cupholder (note the different diameters).

For xref, you can replace the FRONT cupholders with a plate (but it has issues as noted in this 530i thread).