How do you remove the phone cradle?

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Hi All, although i still think my decision yesterday was a total fail and retard, got it fixed today. Went in the dealership and hooked it to the computer , quite a list of fails.. But turned out that i blew a fuse...... got it replaced, deleted all the errors and re-ran the diagnose, no errors.... not even a mention of a missing TCU. (they could not program out the TCU on the spot, that would also mean losing my bluetooth..)... Happy camper now... thanks all !!

[bluetec]

As a followup and to benefit anyone reading this in the future, I was also able to split the phone cradle and remove the circuit board and chip just as Erik had done. If there is a way to split the cradle without destroying it, I couldn't find it. There are two small torx under rubber pads in the front of the cradle, but they are of little help. Once split, the wiring and board are easily removed and tucked behind the console. I have ordered the blank plate (see diagram above) from Tischer. Not an elegant solution, but quite satisfying to have the use of the entire console.

[apw2607]

That picture in the link is of the front section of the console area. Underneath the shifter and idrive controller. Not of the bucket.

Removing the shifter is very straightforward.

[Hammer]

Thanks for sharing the diagram.

I too am considering removing the phone cradle on my 2008 E70 as it doesn't support my current phone - Samsung Omnia 7. According to the dealer, the LC1 which supports my phone can't be retrofitted.

Can anyone confirm this?

[bluetec]

Originally Posted by Hammer

Thanks for sharing the diagram.

I too am considering removing the phone cradle on my 2008 E70 as it doesn't support my current phone - Samsung Omnia 7. According to the dealer, the LC1 which supports my phone can't be retrofitted.

Can anyone confirm this?

Can't confirm retrofit, but do you have BT? If not, it can be added easily. Once you have BT working, you can remove the cradle, and you will have full use of your console. There is a blind cover plate available from BMW that snaps right over the hole where the cradle was. I'm very happy with it now.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by bluetec

Can't confirm retrofit, but do you have BT? If not, it can be added easily. Once you have BT working, you can remove the cradle, and you will have full use of your console. There is a blind cover plate available from BMW that snaps right over the hole where the cradle was. I'm very happy with it now.

Yes, I do have blue tooth. It came with the Executive Packs (& Sports Pack) as it's called in Australia (not sure that's what it's called in the US).

It looks like I'll just need to get the blank cover plate from the dealer to cover the hole once the cradle is removed.

[apw2607]

If you're car is a 2008, then the cradle you have in your car shoul be the original retrofit option. Therefore it "should" be relatively straightforward to remove. Pop open the cover at the back of the rear cigarette lighters ... And see if the connector for the cradle is located. Once you can find that the rest should be easy.

Failing that go to your dealer and ask them
To printout the installation instructions for the accessory option

[LeftCoastErik]

NICE!

[Oaktree]

Just removed my cradle and what a stupid design. I got all happy when it looked like a plug on the bottom of the cradle but to no avail. I ended up breaking the cradle a stuffing the wires and circuit board in the open cuddy like everyone has talked about. I wish I would have left it but I started before I reached it here...

[m332is]

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.