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Thread: E67 Cupholder modified to fit in an E38, possible?

  1. #1
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    E67 Cupholder modified to fit in an E38, possible?

    Ok, so I have been thinking it over the last few weeks, I wonder if its possible to modify the E38 Ashtray area to accommodate the E67 cupholders.

    The cool retracting lids would probably have to be removed, BUT since I don't use the ashtray or coin tray as my mechanism is gummed with 20yrs of coffee spills its been on my mind. I couldn't find any examples, but it seems like with careful cutting and proper fitment, the area under the ashtray hollowed out would allow for the cupholders to fit.

    Possibly move the Hazard and Door Lock switch to where the old cupholder is? Just run some extension wires for that. More difficult could modify so the switches are to the RIGHT of the shifter. But that seems more fussy.

    I also ordered an E46 cupholder as the dimensions are very close to fitting directly over ashtray cover itself, any mods could be hidden by the top of the cupholder trim.

    Lastly I am looking into an E90 rear arm rest cupholder retrofit. Gonna go grab one in person tomorrow. Best thing about that is the storage pocket is useless and filling it with the cupholder would be simple plus whatever the front looks like would be obscured when the arm rest is retracted.

    I did look into the OEM rear cupholder that goes below the vents and seat heater controls, but it appears to be NLA and ebay wants $200 for a broken one.

    Any thoughts or examples someone has seen?
    Last edited by samsonevickis; 11-18-2018 at 07:02 PM.
    Present:
    '96 750iL (Project)
    '95 C1500 350 V8
    '03 540i M Sport AT
    '22 GMC Sierra 1500 DD
    '92 Olds Toronado Trofeo (Project)


    Past:
    '93 325is (Parted)
    '95 840Ci (Sold)
    '86 735i (Parted)
    '02 Z3 3.0i (Sold)
    '09 328i (Leased)
    '91 750iL (Parted)
    '00 Z3 2.5i (Sold)
    '86 944 NA AT (Sold)
    '84 633 CSi (Sold)
    '06 X3 3.0 (Sold)
    '20 M2:Competition 6spd (Sold)

  2. #2
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    I've got everything on the way, thinking the E46 cupholder will work best, based on some measurements of the E46 I was in today.
    Present:
    '96 750iL (Project)
    '95 C1500 350 V8
    '03 540i M Sport AT
    '22 GMC Sierra 1500 DD
    '92 Olds Toronado Trofeo (Project)


    Past:
    '93 325is (Parted)
    '95 840Ci (Sold)
    '86 735i (Parted)
    '02 Z3 3.0i (Sold)
    '09 328i (Leased)
    '91 750iL (Parted)
    '00 Z3 2.5i (Sold)
    '86 944 NA AT (Sold)
    '84 633 CSi (Sold)
    '06 X3 3.0 (Sold)
    '20 M2:Competition 6spd (Sold)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
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    1999 740iL
    I will be extremely interested to see how this works. Keep us posted!

  4. #4
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    Ok, good and bad news.

    The E6X cupholders are a no go, they are WAY too wide 8.25".

    Also the cheapest one on ebay came in complete trash condition, tossed it.

    The E46 cheapo replacement set however is doing good. it works well enough and cheaper plastic makes it easier to shave and shape.

    So far its looking like it will fit.

    I think if I cut the remaining trim on the left and right side of the ashtray it would fit in just snug. I may shave off a smidge of the foam on the sides of the lower console area, the upholstered part.

    The only issue is the whole thing would be compression fit, while it seems more than adequate I want to make it more permanent. I have a client eager to see how this goes and wanting me to do his next. I am waiting on a spare console to arrive, I dont want to cut mine up until I know how the wood and trim will react. I am hoping I dont get massive spider cracking in the poly coat.

    Also its seeming like the Hazard and Door Lock button will be able to stay in place no issue.

    More updates when I have the next part come in.
    Present:
    '96 750iL (Project)
    '95 C1500 350 V8
    '03 540i M Sport AT
    '22 GMC Sierra 1500 DD
    '92 Olds Toronado Trofeo (Project)


    Past:
    '93 325is (Parted)
    '95 840Ci (Sold)
    '86 735i (Parted)
    '02 Z3 3.0i (Sold)
    '09 328i (Leased)
    '91 750iL (Parted)
    '00 Z3 2.5i (Sold)
    '86 944 NA AT (Sold)
    '84 633 CSi (Sold)
    '06 X3 3.0 (Sold)
    '20 M2:Competition 6spd (Sold)

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    DUDMD Tune/DINAN CAI/19 in Style 95 Rims/Bilstein's Shocks/Eibach Lowering Springs/OEM Folding Mirrors/Custom Cupholder/Custom Wood Sunshade/Sport Steering Wheel/Euro Center Console/Leather Shifter/Rearview Camera /Luke Custom 10 in Sub Box/Cross Drilled Rotors/Rear view Camera/BMW OEM Monitors/BMW E38 Picnic Tables/Vanity Headrests/OEM Roof Rack/Strut Bar/Dinan MAF and Dinan Throttle Body and Dinan tunning /BM53 Radio upgrade /Custom Innovadrive NXG39 modify and Alpine ILX-W650 touch screen radio.

  6. #6
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    IMG_0628.jpgIMG_0626.jpgIMG_0625.jpg

    Here are some test fits. I have it sitting a little more flush now, I still need to carve out some of the sides of the center console so the little tabs fully retract better.

    On build quality the crap E46 cupholder isn't the best, I think I would consider using an OEM one if I were to do it again. BUT overall its pretty good. The sides are exposed, but my idea is to smooth over some black silicone adhesive. Basically its strong enough to hold it firmly in place but not so that I couldn't remove it if I wanted to in the future.

    I have been busy with client BMWs but tomorrow is a day off I will spend with the E38. I am going to do the final cuts on my actual center console trim and carve out the sides a bit and then do a tape and silicone application.

    I would like to find a way to reroute the cig lighter wires first.

    Lastly, wouldn't it be great if an F series cupholder fit? Haha with the built in cig lighter. If only BMW was that good back in the 90s with cup holder implementation.
    Present:
    '96 750iL (Project)
    '95 C1500 350 V8
    '03 540i M Sport AT
    '22 GMC Sierra 1500 DD
    '92 Olds Toronado Trofeo (Project)


    Past:
    '93 325is (Parted)
    '95 840Ci (Sold)
    '86 735i (Parted)
    '02 Z3 3.0i (Sold)
    '09 328i (Leased)
    '91 750iL (Parted)
    '00 Z3 2.5i (Sold)
    '86 944 NA AT (Sold)
    '84 633 CSi (Sold)
    '06 X3 3.0 (Sold)
    '20 M2:Competition 6spd (Sold)

  7. #7
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    Update:

    Test fit went well. I didn't silicone it in place BUT wow, its snug, it will hold a standard 20oz water bottle and easily help the Medium from Chick Fil A and another local place I go.

    If only I could soften the edges and droop them down to meet the leather wrapped console, then it would be perfect. I may order another and give it another shot. But for now, the FM modulator, this cupholder and the repaired rear brake ABS sensors and calipers springs this car is running great with zero issues. Couldn't be happier, I will update with photos when I have some.
    Present:
    '96 750iL (Project)
    '95 C1500 350 V8
    '03 540i M Sport AT
    '22 GMC Sierra 1500 DD
    '92 Olds Toronado Trofeo (Project)


    Past:
    '93 325is (Parted)
    '95 840Ci (Sold)
    '86 735i (Parted)
    '02 Z3 3.0i (Sold)
    '09 328i (Leased)
    '91 750iL (Parted)
    '00 Z3 2.5i (Sold)
    '86 944 NA AT (Sold)
    '84 633 CSi (Sold)
    '06 X3 3.0 (Sold)
    '20 M2:Competition 6spd (Sold)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
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    IL
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    2000 740i sport
    Any updates? Have pics of the bottom of the cupholders and what you had to modify on them to get it to fit?

  9. #9
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    Sorry to leave it hanging, I only recently did an update in person.

    I have a cheap eBay cupholder, I want to get a BMW OEM one so the quality will be better.

    But I just permanently installed the front and rear center console wood trim days ago.

    It fits, the sides look awful and I have NOT glued it any point in time, 3 of the 4 tabs retract fully, but the bottom right and bottom left tabs hit the side of the center console.

    I think with a bit of massaging I could get it to look better, but overall it works, someone with some more heating or plastic skills could Easily make this a product.

    I never used the ash tray and this works and fits great, holds the things Ive needed to hold.

    I would strongly recommend anyone else in my situation to try it for themselves.

    IMG_3326.jpgIMG_3327.jpgIMG_3328.jpgIMG_3329.jpg
    Present:
    '96 750iL (Project)
    '95 C1500 350 V8
    '03 540i M Sport AT
    '22 GMC Sierra 1500 DD
    '92 Olds Toronado Trofeo (Project)


    Past:
    '93 325is (Parted)
    '95 840Ci (Sold)
    '86 735i (Parted)
    '02 Z3 3.0i (Sold)
    '09 328i (Leased)
    '91 750iL (Parted)
    '00 Z3 2.5i (Sold)
    '86 944 NA AT (Sold)
    '84 633 CSi (Sold)
    '06 X3 3.0 (Sold)
    '20 M2:Competition 6spd (Sold)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Dawsonville, GA
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2000 740il
    I made something pretty cool that will hold two small Yeti mugs... but I dont think I have enough posts here yet to upload pics.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Dawsonville, GA
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2000 740il
    20190906_215814_resized.jpg

    - - - Updated - - -

    Started out as some oddball Lexan I found at work. The finished product uses a few pieces of copper tube and some 3" stainless socket head bolts.
    I butchered the heck out of the original ashtray area... so there's no going back to stock now. lol

    20190905_105110_resized_jpg-1080223.jpg

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Dawsonville, GA
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    7
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    2000 740il

  13. #13
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    Nov 2006
    Location
    NYC
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    99 IL/13 SXT/04 Audi A4
    Here is Mine
    El Cid 1999 IL
    DUDMD Tune/DINAN CAI/19 in Style 95 Rims/Bilstein's Shocks/Eibach Lowering Springs/OEM Folding Mirrors/Custom Cupholder/Custom Wood Sunshade/Sport Steering Wheel/Euro Center Console/Leather Shifter/Rearview Camera /Luke Custom 10 in Sub Box/Cross Drilled Rotors/Rear view Camera/BMW OEM Monitors/BMW E38 Picnic Tables/Vanity Headrests/OEM Roof Rack/Strut Bar/Dinan MAF and Dinan Throttle Body and Dinan tunning /BM53 Radio upgrade /Custom Innovadrive NXG39 modify and Alpine ILX-W650 touch screen radio.

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