One by one, I'm fixing the minor flaws in my (new to me) 2002 BMW E39 525i. Saving the least for last, it's time to fix the two broken front cupholders.
However, I'm wired to start from the beginning; so, I may as well add to the wealth of knowledge for BMW E39 cupholder repairs, specifically with part numbers, and a step-by-step R&R procedure that I hope to post to this thread once I buy the parts.
I'm pretty sure the part is "Front Cup Holder" part no. 51168190205, and a quantity of 1 would get me both cupholders, right?
I like your detailed writeups and all, but really, wouldn't it be easier to call the dealer and ask them if a quantity of one of that PN equals both holders? Seems like you greatly overcomplicated this.
BTW, since you don't like SC BMW, try BMW of Fremont. I've only used them for parts (and that is all I will ever use the dealer for), but their parts dept is very helpful and courteous. I've only had great experiences with it. If you call in and ask that, they'll answer.
Or of course, another great resource I'm surprised you aren't familiar with is RealOEM.com. This shows exploded views of the parts, and their respective numbers. Searching there shows that it is one unit that contains both holders. You can also enter the part number into the site and it will show what cars it fits and where.
The rest of it seems pretty straightforward, but have fun. And, really, you should try some things sometimes without asking every tiny little detail. Just get an idea of what needs to be done, and then go from there. It should add a little more enjoyment to these mundane things if you're working on figuring it out rather than just going through a drab step by step someone else has given you. Just MHO.
The rest of it seems pretty straightforward, but have fun. And, really, you should try some things sometimes without asking every tiny little detail. Just get an idea of what needs to be done, and then go from there. It should add a little more enjoyment to these mundane things if you're working on figuring it out rather than just going through a drab step by step someone else has given you. Just MHO.
Like Phantom says, "...you should try some things sometimes without asking every tiny little detail. Just get an idea of what needs to be done, and then go from there."
The really experienced guys just blindfold themselves and do it all by touch.
1) Don't drink that sludge! 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?
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!
Yeah those ****ty cup holders ill fix them once im done fixing everything else and once there fixed ill just leave them in place.....untill im drunk with some broad at my side who asks where the cups holders are and breaks it again!!!!!!
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
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!
Useless maybe, but I find the strip to be an enormous aesthetic improvement over the cupholders, even closed. It's also about half the cost of the replacement cupholder mechanism. :thumbup:
Oooooh. Kinky! I'm not that adventurous to break out the purple fur-lined handcuffs and the soft silky leather blindfold from my www.collarme.com toybag (given I'm so timid, you can probably guess what my nickname is) ... but I do know about realoem and I did go to them first (see below). Note they call the BMW E39 P/N 52.10.7.058.009 a "cupholder" (not a canholder).
The thing this family of owners is good for is enabling MORE information than the obvious (to a bound and blindfolded repairperson anyway). For example, I was hoping we'd get a look at AUF 0017969 and EBA 9789813.
Does anyone have the Einbauanleitung "Options Installation Manual" or the AUF TIS handy? I'd be interested in what's in them referenced in the realoem photo below ...
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.
I basically don't drink nor allow others to drink in my car; tried to be generous by offering the library rules in my car though, the liquid in bottle w/ cap only.
hmmm. Might be a cigar ashtray but I wouldn't know what one looks like. Maybe someone who has one can tell us what they use it for.
BTW, I returned to California after a trip to Munchen and ordered the parts which should arrive this week I hope. Here to benefit others is the inevitable pricing survey, shipped and taxed.
Fremont BMW 866-561-1968 51168190205 $56.68 + 8.25% tax
Bavauto BMW 800-535-2002 51168190205 $39.95 + $11.95 shipping
Pelican BMW 888-280-7799 51168190205 $45.75 + 8.25% tax
Circle BMW 732-440-1238 51168190205 $41.21 + $9.00 shipping
AllEuro BMW 866-286-2051 51168190205 $44.00 (no shipping, no tax)
Unfortunately, trying to access the BMW Einbauanleitung using the WinXP Remote Desktop Connection failed me. WinXP:Start->Run->mstsc(computer=client.bmwe38.org, login=bmw, password=<blank>, log-on-to=NTS)</blank>
But, digging a bit more in an attempt to advance our knowledge of even things so simple as a BMW E39 cupholder, I found this site was active http://www.bmwe38.org/default.asp
My first exciting long trip to chicago started with a large starbucks coffee spilling all over the passenger seat, floor mat as well as the center console and the heater controls and the door lock and caution buttons! needless to say during my five hour trip my doors locked and unlocked a few times and the caution lights came on and off a couple dozen times! both buttons didnt work for weeks. When i started to think to replace them... they now both work again?... they must have dried out.... It must be an american thing to have over sized drinks and eat in your vehicle; thus the germans under engineered the end american consumer consuming in the E39.... After the coffee spilled its self. a day or so later on the trip i had a fresh coffee yet again, i got on the car leaving the coffee shop, the second the to third gear shift ended in me punching the damn coffee!.. I still drink coffee in my E39 but exclusively I only hold it in my hand.... its hard with a stick.
BTW. the reason for the multiple-view pics is that I read all the threads on cupholders and I found that to be the one detail lacking in almost all, if not all of them. They clearly stated, for example, where the screw holes were, but they never clearly showed where they were. Likewise with the weak points on the arms and the overall shape and mechanics of the cupholder. For example, I don't know of any threads which actually showed the screws! I plan on rectifying that when I get back from my trip to Sao Paulo this weekend!
I am a total klutz at DYI stuff but even I was able to replace my busted cupholder. Know that the old one will break when you remove it. Don't worry, the new one slides in slicker than owl poop. Once you have fixed it, close it and never use it again. Pick one of the many available aftermarket cupholders. I favor this one which will hold a big bottle of water easily. http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/
Yummy! My kitchen is where I work and it always has some kind of fresh fruit readily available to prop up components!
BTW, I noticed a dab of grease on each of the brand new cupholder mechanisms; is that something that we're supposed to grease periodically as part of normal cupholder maintenance?
Wow. You're omnipotent! Nobody else mentioned this but there was just no way to get the old cupholder out without destroying it and breaking it into multiple pieces.
Be advised: This is a ONE-WAY-ONLY installation! The only way the E39 cupholder is coming out is in pieces!
Wow. You're omnipotent! Nobody else mentioned this but there was just no way to get the old cupholder out without destroying it and breaking it into multiple pieces.
Be advised: This is a ONE-WAY-ONLY installation! The only way the E39 cupholder is coming out is in pieces!
My girlfriend said that when removing the cupholders on an E39 in for warranty work at the dealership, she would automatically order a replacement for them, knowing that the ones in there were going to be destroyed upon removal.
Warning to the next person who replaces their BMW E39 broken front cupholders!
MAGNETIZE YOUR SCREWDRIVER!
I didn't and I lost the screw somewhere here inside the compartment (I wonder if anything bad will happen with that sharp screw floating around in there???)
Even with a magnet on a stick, I couldn't find the missing screw
Even with a newly bought magnet on a stick, I couldn't find the missing screw!
So be advised, magnetize your screwdriver BEFORE removing broken BMW E39 front cupholders.
BTW, do you think the screw inside that slot will do any damage?
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