E53 Ashtray 51168402280 and Aux Input Port Installation

[X5M-ISH]

Hello all,


Long story short, I am in the process of installing the Aux port kit. Upon inspection of the ashtray this evening, I noticed that the previous owner had used black electrical tape to cover what looked to be a broken hole in the ashtray. Unbeknownst to me, I have never seen such a hole in an ashtray before and not thinking any further, I completely gutted the center console out of the car to relieve this poor, 'broken' ashtray from the center console.


Only after looking for the part number on realoem, I have unfortunately discovered that this 'broken' hole is in fact molded that way from the factory . WTF is its function?


On the plus side, I found about $15 in change and a peanut that had worked its way out of the ashtray and under the center console that the PO never bothered to fish out...and I get to clean everything and reassemble it. There's always a silver lining.


Anyhow, before I proceed further with re-assembly and my Aux install, can anyone tell me what this hole is for and how I can plug it? There looks to be a channel just left of it that permits something to slide into it.


Here's a link to the ashtray in question!
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/51168402280/