Cup holder tabs
 

Does anyone know if the tabs on the (front) cup holder can easily be replaced individually? Or do you have to replace the whole cup holder as a unit? These little thingy are so flimsy. Any DIY instructions? TIA

When I bought my 01' CPO, I noticed a few of tha tabs missing. The dealer told me that the whole unit needed to be replaced, which he did. I've been careful with removing certain types of containers as some shapes cause the tabs to be stressed.

I'm pretty sure you would need the entire cup holder piece. I think it's about $75 full list.

For instructions to install it, check the articles section for instructions on removing the center console.

You need to remove the whole center console just to replace the cup holder? That sounds like alot of work :( I wonder why they weren't design to snap in/out, especially when they designed the tabs so flimsy in the first place. In my Honda, the whole cup holder assembly can be popped in/out relatively easily (for cleaning spills, etc...). I guessed they don't spill things much on the autobaun :dunno:

I have some continual niggles with my '01 X...but, the cupholders, front and rear, have not broken, (yet!), and perform very well. Cupholder and window regs...those have not yet glitched, lol!
BR,md

Please advise me of the 2003 x5 cup holder part number and where this part can be purchased

It is part number 15 on the below diagram ... part number 51168408026

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/b/d/223.png

Purchased at any BMW dealer.

Well, i had this same issue on my e36 m3s and took out the cupholders to see what happened and its so obvious that they were poorly designed. Its very flimsy inside. Those tabs are really just connected to thin plastic "poles" which just snap. Prob not worth fixing for $75.

It's a confusing post so don't get confused. I think the original poster way back when was asking about the tabs, which have been redesigned to hold better and not fall out. The latest poster asked (I think) about the entire assembly.