F30 GPS / Phone mount

I am looking at the RAM mount parts I received today from gpscity and here's my concern. The widest opening of the clamp that I am intending to mount in F30 is about 1.3 inches. Could you guys do me a favor and measure the "arm" inside your F30 that extends from the dashboard down to the center part where iDrive controls are placed? I am indicating both in the photos below. I am simply afraid the clamp is not going to be wide enough to mount it where I would like it to go.

Chiba - sorry for "borrowing" one of your pics. I have no car to photograph at the moment's notice yet

No problem, I'll go to the garage and measure now. I do wish the arrows properly matched the red Sport trim but I'll let it slide :P

I don't think it's going to work but you never know..

towards the base it's 1.5 and it narrows a but not quite enough for your clamp it seems
the middle is around 1.4 inches and the top dosen't seem to have enough lip for anything to grab on to. It was hard to photograph because I had to use my phone's direct flash..



Perhaps you can try it out at your dealership on a demo car?
Did you get the Ram a can or suction cup end?

Chiba

Thanks so much for doing this, the pic is perfect! I didn't get the ram a can as I want to try the clamp first. I want the cup holders available. Lots of long trips - I like coffee I found another little piece of hardware that came with the clamp. It allows the clamp to open about 1.5 inches so we might be right there. It's going to be a tight fit but it should work. I may be able to stop at my local dealership tomorrow and test it out. If it doesn't work at least I have plenty of time to return it and get the ram a can or think about a different solution! Thanks so much for all your help!!

My pleasure,

Remember - if you do end up ram-a-canning it, you have a cup holder for one coffee and if you have someone else with you there are 2 more in the centre arm rest of the back seats. I can reach mine over there..
Today the back seat arm rest wasn't down so I told my wife to hold her Tim Hortons! hah

Chiba

Originally Posted by DavidM1975

Thanks so much for doing this, the pic is perfect! I didn't get the ram a can as I want to try the clamp first. I want the cup holders available. Lots of long trips - I like coffee I found another little piece of hardware that came with the clamp. It allows the clamp to open about 1.5 inches so we might be right there. It's going to be a tight fit but it should work. I may be able to stop at my local dealership tomorrow and test it out. If it doesn't work at least I have plenty of time to return it and get the ram a can or think about a different solution! Thanks so much for all your help!!

Originally Posted by DavidM1975

Thanks so much for doing this, the pic is perfect! I didn't get the ram a can as I want to try the clamp first. I want the cup holders available. Lots of long trips - I like coffee I found another little piece of hardware that came with the clamp. It allows the clamp to open about 1.5 inches so we might be right there. It's going to be a tight fit but it should work. I may be able to stop at my local dealership tomorrow and test it out. If it doesn't work at least I have plenty of time to return it and get the ram a can or think about a different solution! Thanks so much for all your help!!

I have ordered the same product and should be receiving it in the next 2 days or so. I'll install that in my F30 and take some pictures of it installed. You should get a better idea by that.
I was concerned about the width as well, but decided to try it out first before going with the other option which was posted by SamS.

Originally Posted by chiba

My pleasure,

Remember - if you do end up ram-a-canning it, you have a cup holder for one coffee and if you have someone else with you there are 2 more in the centre arm rest of the back seats. I can reach mine over there..
Today the back seat arm rest wasn't down so I told my wife to hold her Tim Hortons! hah

Chiba

Chiba, I have a quick question.. On the mount you have, what is the part # between the suction cup and the x-grip? I had different options and picked the following:

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-sho...-b-201u-a.html

Not sure if there was any connector that's shorter than this.

Originally Posted by notfound

Chiba, I have a quick question.. On the mount you have, what is the part # between the suction cup and the x-grip? I had different options and picked the following:

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-sho...-b-201u-a.html

Not sure if there was any connector that's shorter than this.

This one

RAM Mount Medium Arm B-Socket RAM-B-201U

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-med...am-b-201u.html

It's the perfect length for the F30 cup holder mount. I picked up the long one as well but don't like the phone that close to me..

Chiba

great write up!

i just ordered my parts as well, i went for the round plate w/screws over the suction cup (just for peace of mind)

Originally Posted by SamS

I used the following part numbers from ProclipUSA.com: 830530, 215421, 514422.

Thanks for this!!! One question, how secure is the console mount? Can you take a pic of the upper arm as it comes over the console near the shifter? Thanks!

Originally Posted by jmg703

Thanks for this!!! One question, how secure is the console mount? Can you take a pic of the upper arm as it comes over the console near the shifter? Thanks!

The mount is secure, but did require some careful initial installation.

Do my pics in post #4 show what you're looking for?

Originally Posted by SamS

The mount is secure, but did require some careful initial installation.

Do my pics in post #4 show what you're looking for?

Is the inside of the mount padded so that it doesn't ruin the iDrive plate underneith? I have piano black and it seems vulnerable.

I wanted to see the other side of the mount as it comes over the iDrive plate on the other side of this pic:



THANKS!!!

I had the same problem when test driving my car. I prefer to use my smartphone because of the maps updates, real-time traffic and of course the cost. But thank you for the advice. The location looks like a really good alternative vs. the windshield with the screen in the middle.

Originally Posted by SamS

I used the following part numbers from ProclipUSA.com: 830530, 215421, 514422.

Just ordered a similar setup for my AH3. According to the website the mount only works with the original lightning cable. I bought a black aftermarket lightning cable that I am hoping might fit by chance. If not, what are your thoughts with butting the plastic housing on the end of the cable in order to try to make it fit into the mount? Does that look like something that might be possible to you? Thanks in advnace, Sam.

Tim

Originally Posted by jmg703

Is the inside of the mount padded so that it doesn't ruin the iDrive plate underneith? I have piano black and it seems vulnerable.

I used some mounting tape on the bottom of the mount. This helps add some extra adhesion, and prevents damage to the console underneath.

Originally Posted by jmg703

I wanted to see the other side of the mount as it comes over the iDrive plate on the other side of this pic:

Sure, see attached pic.

Originally Posted by Avpilot

Just ordered a similar setup for my AH3. According to the website the mount only works with the original lightning cable. I bought a black aftermarket lightning cable that I am hoping might fit by chance. If not, what are your thoughts with butting the plastic housing on the end of the cable in order to try to make it fit into the mount? Does that look like something that might be possible to you? Thanks in advnace, Sam.

Tim

You definitely will have to use an original Lightning cable. The tolerances for the housing/cable end are so tight, only the OEM Apple cable will work. I'm sure you could use a dremel or similar and increase the opening enough for the (Monoprice?) cable to fit, but it's never going to be as secure as using the original cable as designed.

Originally Posted by SamS

I used some mounting tape on the bottom of the mount. This helps add some extra adhesion, and prevents damage to the console underneath.



Sure, see attached pic.

Perfect! Exactly what I wanted to see and confirm! Thanks so much!