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.

Great to hear. Do you or does anyone else have the part number for the blank cover plate? I tried looking on Tischer but couldn't find a parts diagram that matched the one in this thread. My BMW dealer is an hour away so trying to save a trip. Thanks and Merry Christmas!!

James

my 2013 diesel is in the 4th check engine light in about 2 months and they are supposed to also pop in the blank. I'll give you the part number on the blank when I pick up the truck.

Great, thanks. Sorry about the CEL though, my buddy's RRS had the same issue. Those can be a pain to track down, and it's normally nothing.

Is Fairport in LI? I'm originally from N. Westchester but live in NC.

Part number is 51169115083. Cost me $18 shipped but I really like the console with all that extra room.

Fairport is in WNY by Rochester.

No need to cut or break any plastic. It all comes apart.(those Germans). Not sure why anyone would put a cell phone under your armrest(to forget).
I have a 2013 E70 3.5d

Key steps.
(not sure you need to do this but probably best so you don't scratch trim)
I removed the trim piece on top of rear climate control with nylon pry tool
Removed the 2 Torx screws on top of bucket under trim.

Lift up cradle and Removed the 2 Torx screws under cradle holding it to car.
Remove the 2 Torx screws under rubber feet at top of cradle
Remove the Torx screw on hinge that holds the Barrel the spring is around.
Remove Barrel and spring(you may need to pry a little)
the rest is just finding the right spot to pry parts apart.

Here are all the parts once taken apart:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...cket/parts.jpg

Torx screw in hinge
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...x-in-hinge.jpg

Hinge piece
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...ket/spring.jpg

Separate cradle from insert after you get hinge apart
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...ket/cradle.jpg

Take apart Insert:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...lit-cradle.jpg

Take out IC board after split in two:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...adle-split.jpg

Electric Tape wrap the IC circuit board and stuff below bucket
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...e-and-hide.jpg


Buy and snap in OEM Blind plate 51169115083 (I have a 2013 E70)

All done.. Lots of extra room
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...ucket-Done.jpg

After disassembling half of the interior of my car I'm pleased to report that you can actually disconnect the phone cradle wiring with a minimum of disassembly.

The connectors are behind the carpeted trim next to the passenger seat. Starting under the passenger dash remove the three screws from the trim panel and remove the panel. Remove the single screw at the front end of the carpeted trim under the passenger dash. Work your hand behind the carpeted panel near the front of the passenger seat and pop it loose from two pins. Slide it forward and out. Slide the second carpeted panel forward and out.

At this point you should be able to see the phone wiring come out of a hole near the back of the console, run through two metal clips (deroute it from them) and then go into a hole about where the passenger seat is. Fish the connectors out of that hole, disconnect all three, and then you can feed the cabling back and out.

By the way, regarding removing the bucket: There are a couple of screws on each side under the carpeted panels, and a pair of screws at the front under the trim around the iDrive controller. Once you remove all of those screws the bucket is loose but at least in my case still wouldn't come out. At that point I realized removing it wasn't necessary and stopped, but that seems to be farther than others have gotten so I thought I'd report it in case someone else really does need to get the bucket out.

jheiss, thanks. The plug location was just as you described. I was able to remove the phone cradle and harness without breaking or cutting anything on my 2009 E71.

Since I was also removing the rear seat DVD-screen/elbow-whacker I went ahead and pulled out the "bucket". The screw count is 2 front, 2 rear, and 2 on each side for 8 total. One additional trick: you have to pop out the front panel inside the bin that holds the AV connectors and 12v socket. Unplug the cables, and the bin lifts right out complete with the lids. HOWEVER, this will gain access to nothing but a couple of air ducts! To remove the phone cradle, it is only necessary to remove the right side trim panels. I have pics of the back of all of the panels to show where clips are located, if anybody is interested.

To get at the cables for the rear screen, I had to pop out the AC vents and the rear console trim piece. I also took out the player while I was at it. I found an antenna back there. Not sure what it was, so I put it back in with some Velcro tape. So far the BT works fine and the computer has not detected anything amiss. Now I have to figure out what to do with that hole in the rear of the console.

gerG