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?

[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.

[Roadster]

what's up with that 3rd picture you posted? it seems like a coin floating in an aquarium?

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by ICX5

.....
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!).....

Now you've got me worried bro'. IIRC the plastic at the bottom of the console is the rear seat climate control ducts. Might make a great place for a cozy nest. Didn't happen to find any half eaten acorns did you?

How difficult was the dis assembly/reassembly? Were all the fasteners reusable?

BTW your pictures will make me even more careful not to spill liquids in the cup holder area. Not much in there that looks like it would enjoy getting wet.

Funf Dreisig

[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

[ICX5]

Originally Posted by Roadster

what's up with that 3rd picture you posted? it seems like a coin floating in an aquarium?

Third picture is of a borescope screen. The coin is actually 6 to 7 inches under (forward) the cup holder. It is barely visible by direct examination (in the second photo, I've already moved the coin back and can now see the coin and took the picture. The borescope (a cheap rendition of a borescope from Home Depot) helped me find the coin originally. Actually, when I downloaded the photo off the camera, it took me a minute to remember what it was (had the same thought as you Roadster, "where did this photo come from?". I wanted to include it to show how the coin was found in that slot.