My X5 has been for service for about a week chasing down a check engine light. I happened to mention to my SA that I was curious how much work it would be to remove the cradle and install the blank. My SA calls me today to say the truck is fixed and the cradle is out.

The cradle is in one piece and all wires and connections are all intact and the blank is on order. Better news is they pulled it for free as a thank you since they have had my truck for over a week and I haven't complained. Karma!

As for the console without it... Amazing amount of space was just freed up and even without the blank it looks fine. I'll pop in the blank when it arrives however for a totally factory look.