Low5

My 525 has a "phone holder" in the center console. A separate piece of hinged plastic that moves up and down. I've noticed other E60's don't have it. Is there an easy way to remove it? The manual only shows it being used to hold the phone, doesn't discuss whether it's removable.

Anyone know?

MacoBMW4life

Can you ask the previous owner how you put it in? and then just reverse the process.

Low5

It came stock on the car. I finally found the right term, BMW calls it the "eject box."

or_550i

I've wondered the same thing as it makes the space below it almost unusable for anything other than napkins and a red bull. If it's anything like the E39, the lid probably has to be unscrewed from the back seat area (where the vents are) before you're able to access any clips/screws.

ld00d

yeah, i've been wondering too. i hate that stupid cradle. i can fit altoids in it -- not much else.

zen

Do a search. There are numerous posts on the subject. Generally a lot of work unless you don't want to save the unit. In that case take a "hack saw" blade and cut through the hinge on the drivers side and then pry it out.

Rudy

As others have said, there are at least a few threads here about this. Here's one of the bigger ones:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=3809

ld00d

wow. how could something so apparently simple be so incredibly complicated?

545felix

I take it this is your first BMW?

billeul

Should be four torx screws on the underside that holds the eject box in place. If the eject box was ever hooked up, you must remove the two sections of the back of your console. The bottom section comes out first. Release the invisible clips on the right and left sides of the panel by inserting a putty knife along each side, between the panel and console and pulling the bottom of the panel towards you. With the borttom panel off you can disconnect the two cables. To feed the cables out of the console without cutting off a connector and destroying the cable you should remove the top panel which is held on with two silver clips along the bottom edge. Once the top panel is out, with a lot of patience you might be able to work the cables through the hole in the console. I was able to do it once. The second time, I gave up and slightly enlarged the hole in the bottom of the console since it doesn't show any way. You will need the compartment that replaces the eject box and frame. You can probably sell your eject box if you don't destroy it while removing it. BMW gets about $180 for the eject box and support frame. Good luck.

Bill