Essing

So I've gotten the cup holder part out. Bmw has a service procedure for that, so success: nothing broken. Now to remove the cup holder cover, that looks like prying the 'arms' each inward direction, one at a time. I've tried that with a fair amount of force. I'm 99% sure that's what it takes. But like I've said, I've broken much BMW plastic in my day, trying to avoid it here.

Once I get the cupholder cover removed from the armrest, I'll need to split those 2 halves apart. I've looked at the pictures of the parts online, I've done some preliminary forceful work on that with the limited angles (that I can get while its still attached to the armrest). No luck so far. It's one of those things, once apart it will be apparent as to how to separate the two pieces.

The part number is 52207135887, ~25. That has the arms, springs and cupholder cover base. It's a kit. Kinda validates that you likely break it when you remove it/split it.

So I'm going in, even it means destruction......

donpb

With the cup holder out, you should have it made in the shade.

MaccB

has anyone had an issue with the armrest getting stuck in the closed position? even if i try using the handle and pulling to the point i think i might break it and it still is stuck? if so how do u think i can get it without breaking it if possible, if not then at least not damaging the back seat itself?

kd7iwp

I think this is somewhat common, at least on the E61. The linkage isn't working in my middle fold-down arm rest so I had to pull hard to remove the trim piece covering the leather so that I could reach in and unlatch. I've ordered the new parts and they've been sitting at my parents' house in Washington since February... Probably be another year before I can go pick them up though.