Switches in the ash tray???

[topazbimma]

I want to put some switches in my ashtray on my e46. Anybody have any suggestions. I have what i need wired...with temporary switches... But i want something more permanent and better looking. Right now its just wires sticking out with switches. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Z's Bimmer]

Well, with my old car (2000 323Ci), I took apart the center console and ran the wires through the back. I also drill holes in order to hold switches that got connected to whatever I needed a switch for. The holes were drilled in the removable ashtray, so in case you messed up you can get that for pretty cheap. The switches were also located inside the ashtray and can only be seen if the ashtray door was open. No wires were showing anywhere, and everything looked factory.
Or, you can just replace the entire ashtray with a panel or something with built in switches. My friend replaced his "tray in the middle of the dash" with a panel of switches. It was pretty neat. They were hidden as well behind the tray door.