Need a place to hold my sunglasses so decided to start taking the console apart to remove the phone cradle, open the cover by the gear shifter and found this, it looks like a key-hole ?

 

I think it could be to unlock the shifter when there is no power in the car. But not sure

 

Yes, that's what it's for, to get the car out of park if the battery is dead.

If you get a chance, take some pics of the phone cradle removal. That thing is getting on my nerves, only reason I haven't taken it out yet is I cannot figure out from realoem if there is a standard insert to replace it.

 

Cool, good to know.

Yeah, got a nice $200 pair of sunglasses as a gift and just about broke them twice by laying stuff on top of them while on the passenger seat. I'm ready to get rid of the stupid phone cradle so I have some usable storage space, I'll keep you posted of any surprises.

By the way, the white cable is actually just a string, it's not electrical, it's probably a backup to not having the key ??

 

My car is pre-LCI, but if I had to guess you have that string because your shifter is basically an electronic switch, you don't have a straightforward mechanic connection to the transmission shift selector located on the transmission itself.

You would probably need to pull the string (after inserting key) to get it out of park as moving your shifter won't do anything without battery power.

I don't have a string on mine because my shifter is a direct connection to the transmission, it doesn't need power to change gears.

 

How is this for a head start?.

Removing the phone cradle - E60/E61 2004-2010 - BMW 5 Series Owners Board

I have probably broken at least 37 forum rules by cross posting across 3 separate forums.

 

Why not use the driver door pocket? It's lined with carpet and its perfect for storing your glasses. I have a pair of Persols and some Ray Bans in their cases in mine with room to spare...

 

Found a video on how to set the car in neutral, apparently the string is just to hold the plastic piece after removing it with the key... thanks for all the info, I had no idea this was even an option.

 

I tested my car key on the key-hole and it worked.

Thanks for the link redtwin, the deed is done, below is the end-result

 

Did that pivoting plastic piece just snap out?. No need to actually lift the console?.