X5 Coinectomy and where not to place coins

[ICX5]

Placed some coins on top of the cup holder roll up top. When I picked up the coins, missed a penny. Once the cup holder cover was rolled back, the penny was able to slip behind the cup holder and fall underneath (within console).

It redefines irritation to hear that coin roll up to the front when you brake, and roll back when you accelerate. But not so much that I could pay dealership big $$$ to dig coin out.

Had a look on Realoem parts diagrams and went to work trying to remove coin (at this point, assumed it was coin, if not, would have expected loose part).

First task was to gain access to underneath cup holder, apparently, easier said than done, at least, seemed that way at first.

Removed iDrive knob and plastic trim piece around shifter and iDrive controller. Then removed five bolts and removed gear shift assembly.

Photo's show (if I attached them correctly):

1. Removed shifter
2. Coin sitting in slot
3. Photo of borescope screen once I found the coin (note the way the coin was in a track that help it upright and let it roll forward and back)

In the end, recovered the coin and buttoned everything up.

Lesson learned, don't put loose coins on top of cup holder, easy to miss coin in the dark and roll cup holder cover open/down, then you're on a "mouse hunt" (no offense Funf!).

I'll view the this once I post, if I failed to attach pictures correctly, I'll edit and try again.

[cmyX6go]

Why not just use the ashtray as a coin holder It works for me.

That must suck...The seat belt buckle on the passenger side is making me crazy. No matter where I position it, it rattles against the b pillar or the seat. My ears are bleeding. I never had a problem with either of my 2 E53s or my E70.

I feel your pain.

[vitaman]

Going to SC next week to pick up my 1st X5(M version) which will also be my first SUV.
Is there not a dedicated coin holder? Is the ashtray lined or will coins rattle around there? What about sunglasses? Is there a special sunglass holder? If not, will a pair fit in the center console storage area? Are there features that you have had in less expensive cars that you were surprised were not in your X5?

[ukwildcat]

Originally Posted by vitaman

Going to SC next week to pick up my 1st X5(M version) which will also be my first SUV.
Is there not a dedicated coin holder? Is the ashtray lined or will coins rattle around there? What about sunglasses? Is there a special sunglass holder? If not, will a pair fit in the center console storage area? Are there features that you have had in less expensive cars that you were surprised were not in your X5?

Well, there is a little "cup" in the center that LOOKS like it's meant for change - it even looks like you "stack" them (horizontally) and that would probably hold fine. I don't know that's what it's FOR, though, but that's what it LOOKS like it's for.

My GX470 didn't have a change holder either - I used the ashtray (worked well as it was very convenient). The new GX has a change holder thing in the center console, which is one of those stupid-but-indispensible-nice-things.

The GX also has a sunglass holder. The X5 does not. I seem to be cursed this way - my old sunglasses would not fit in the GX, and I bought new ones for the X5, only to find there isn't a "proper" place to put them.

These sorts of things ARE annoying, but certainly no reason to diss such an otherwise excellent auto.

I completely sympathize with you wondering who in their right (#$($# mind thought you could leave these out in a vehicle whose market is so US-focused, you built the plant there, but hey.

I will say the cup holders are EXCELLENT - they will grip right on to whatever you want to put there. I was surprised (and a bit impressed). The Lexus didn't have cupholders, it had plastic voids shaped as though drinks could fit there.

At least these little design quirks are not BMW (or X5) specific. I'm sure they have good reasons for what they do.. I just think it would help them to no small degree to SHARE these reasons with us ignorant plebes.

Don't even get me started on the GX's tailgate, as an example of an extremely poor design choice. Even when they gave a reason "it would ruin the weight distribution" it doesn't hold any water. The entire rest of the Lexus / Toyota lineup doesn't have this problem, not even the 4Runner on which the GX is based.

BMW makes 50/50 weight distribution a huge priority in this vehicle (if not also much of the rest of their product line) and they got it right (REALLY right, actually). AND.. It's even a bit HEAVIER than the GX. WTF?

My advice would be use the little cup thing or the ashtray for your change and get on with driving the beast.

[rh71]

Originally Posted by ukwildcat

Well, there is a little "cup" in the center that LOOKS like it's meant for change - it even looks like you "stack" them (horizontally) and that would probably hold fine. I don't know that's what it's FOR, though, but that's what it LOOKS like it's for.

I believe they intended that for a cellphone... although not many smartphones when protected with proper cases will fit in it.

[barbja]

Originally Posted by vitaman

Is there not a dedicated coin holder? Is the ashtray lined or will coins rattle around there? What about sunglasses? Is there a special sunglass holder? If not, will a pair fit in the center console storage area? Are there features that you have had in less expensive cars that you were surprised were not in your X5?

The E53 has a nice dedicated sunglasses holder in the headliner just behind the reading lights. I really miss that.

On my quest for the perfect E70 sunglasses holder location, I took out my ashtray to make a great receptical for my sunglasses. Easy access. Perfect fit. I did this just after picking my car up from the PC. I didn't want to drive 1800 miles home without a good place for my sunglasses .

I haven't covered up the two holes to the 'great beyond' yet though. I have imagined both pens and coins going down there.

[ICX5]

I don't keep coins in the car, I got careless while at the takeout window. Paid for order, got change (couple of bills and few coins). Time to pull up to next window, so set change on top of closed cup holder. At next window, picked up change to open the cup holder top, just missed that damn penny!

I feel for you too cmyX6go! That coin rolling around was driving me crazy, soooo much better with it out now. What have you tried to date to eliminate the rattle?

vitaman: No dedicated coin holder, ashtray is not lined, but I have seen some posts on this site where folks modified the ashtray (lined it) for use as coin holder (a quick search on coin holder should reveal a couple of mods). I do keep sunglasses (in their case) in the center console.

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by ICX5

I feel for you too cmyX6go! That coin rolling around was driving me crazy, soooo much better with it out now. What have you tried to date to eliminate the rattle?

I haven't done anything other than moving the buckle to different positions so far. I'm thinking it may have more to do with the tension on the belt than the movement of the buckle itself. I'll play around with it today.

[X5rolls]

Originally Posted by cmyX6go

I haven't done anything other than moving the buckle to different positions so far. I'm thinking it may have more to do with the tension on the belt than the movement of the buckle itself. I'll play around with it today.

Not sure if this will work but if all else fails maybe get a piece of Velcro (same color as pillar) and tape the fuzzy not the hook side to the pillar where the buckle hits. It should be nearly invisible and give it a cushion to hit so it doesn't bang. You could probably cut a square about the size of a 50 cent piece and that would do it.

[cmyX6go]

Originally Posted by X5rolls

Not sure if this will work but if all else fails maybe get a piece of Velcro (same color as pillar) and tape the fuzzy not the hook side to the pillar where the buckle hits. It should be nearly invisible and give it a cushion to hit so it doesn't bang. You could probably cut a square about the size of a 50 cent piece and that would do it.

Thanks