I did post about this already but not so directly in a new topic so let me try to make it clear here...

is it possible to retrofit the factory in-dash cupholders?

My car does not have it and I terribly miss it. I spend a lot of time on the road -80 minute commute- so I'd like to have a coffee on the way. Currently I have to use the cupholders in the rear armrest but that sucks.

I asked my dealer and they said it's not only the dash panel but the whole arrangment behind it is different (wtf!?) so it's not possible. I just can't believe that.

thanks

 

Count yourself lucky. It is the worst thing in the interior and I am sure many here will agree. And I mean in terms of Design AND Quality.

They have improved it alot in the E90 though.

 

I have an E90.
They are as bad...

A lot of people on the E90 forums have reported problems with them.
They are breaking off, getting stuck in the dash, not extending down on their own, drinks topple over. Also they look MUCH cheaper than the ones in the E60 and don't blend into the dash as well.

BMW, didn't learn anything. I think they are just not 'committed' to cupholders.

 

On the limted occasions I have used cupholders I seem to have had a front seat passenger. The cupholders themselves seem to work just fine (for the largest [UK] cup sizes), but it appears to be quite easy for the passenger to make unintentional contact with the driver's cup/holder.

Does anyone know whether the RHD and LHD cupholder orientation is identical (another money-saving exercise just like the windscreen wiper orientation for RHD e60s)?

ABC

 

I kind of suspected they are crap but come on.... I don't have any so they would still be an improvement!
The question -whether it's possible- is still open...



(ps. world's best cupholders are in chevy tahoe (<2006))

 

They are the same ABC - as you say another money-saving exercise. BTW the same goes for the engine start button, it is on the right of the steering wheel whether it is a LHD or RHD. Lexus on the other hand relocate its start button to be on the left side of the steering wheel for the UK market.

 

For what it is worth...
On the E90, the start button is on the left of the steering wheel on RHD cars.
And the wipers are flipped for RHD...

Is it possible that BMW learned from their mistakes when designing the E90? Maybe.
It's a shame they didn't make more of an effort to address these shortcomings in the LCI...

 

I broke my cup holder when I was drunk. Trying to get from the driver side to the passenger side because I parrelled park on busy street. Kneed the sucker and broke off, need to get it fixed. I use the passenger cup holder and in the morning, when I'm drinking coffee, I reach ALL THE way across my car.


I remember watching a show of Top Gear where BMW was FORCED to put in cup holders just because USA consumers want it so badly. I think 35% of USA consumers base their purchases on cup holders. (ie. If the cup holder is put in a retarded position, ppl won't buy it.)


Maybe I should have bought a MCS.

 

You might want to check out the following website:
http://www.ultimatecupholders.com

They make a nice alternative cupholder that might fit the E60...

 

Agreed