<e30> Cup Holder Ideas

[Larry Schwarcz <lrs@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I also have an E-30 and wanted a cup holder.  I found three so far.
Here they are in ranked order:

   1)  Don't know the exact name but, it's the wire one that attaches
       to the ashtray screws.  It was originally sold by Prefered 
       Automotive (1-800-427-4711 - Dan something).  Dan now works at
       Bavarian Automotive (X1246).  It's $39.95.  It's a simple design
       and holds one cup.  But, it's held in place with the two screws
       that secure the ashtray.  So, don't put a lot of weight on it.
       It'll hold your drink with no trouble, but, people seem to like
       to push down on it like it's a support or something.  I have to
       quickly tell them NO!!!

       Of all the cup holders, this is the best I've found so far.

   2)  TracTop arm rest.  This has two cup holders that slide out from
       the bottom of the arm rest.  If you like this one, then you'll
       kill two birds with one purchase.  It's not actually made by BMW,
       but, it's sold via the dealers or straight from the company:

          Husco Engineering Company, Inc.
          17 Calvin Rd
          Wilton, CT  06897
          1-203-762-3181
          1-800-752-3181
          1-203-762-3427 (fax)
          http://www.husco.com/

       I bought and installed one in my '90 325iC (E-30).  My overall feelings
       are that I don't like it.  It sits too high and too far forward.
       But, if you are shorter (I'm 6' 4") and have an automatic tranny, then
       it might not be so bad.  The top of the armrest is at the same height
       as the top of the shift knob.  To shift, I have to grasp the shift
       knob and have my forearm at an angle to keep my elbow above the armrest
       to not hit it.

       The top of the armrest slides fore and aft (hence the "Trac" part of the
       name).  There're two cup holders that slide out as one unit from under
       the armrest.

       The cup holders extend over the parking brake handle and therefore,
       make access to it harder.

       Installation requires drilling 4 holes in the center console and cutting
       a small amount of carpet.  The bracket on the right side (passenger)
       bolts to the side of the center console and the left side (driver) slips
       under the parking brake mounting bolt (you need to cut away a bit of
       carpet for this side).

   3)  The last one I found is so bad that I don't even use it.  It 
       was obviously designed for the E-36 and they stuffed some foam
       under it to have it fit the E-30.  Take a cup holder square and
       put a "U" shaped bottom to fit over the center console to the right
       of the parking brake.  But, the "U" part is too wide and you'll hit
       it when you use the brake.  If you're interested, the last address
       and phone number I had was:

          A.F. Enterprises
          San Diego, CA

          Andrew (Andy) Farnham

          Business address (he works in the parts dept):

             Brecht BMW
             1555 Auto Park Way N
             Escondido, CA 92029-2003
             (619) 745-3000 x 105 (parts)
             (800) 544-4269 Parts

   Good luck!
       Larry Schwarcz
       lrs@domain.elided

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