Re: Console Valet & Cupholder

["Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bob,

I have the same "console valet and cupholder" in my '95 M3.  It's the one 
that has two cupholders toward the front of the car, and a large opening in 
the rear, where an ashtray is installed.  The front cupholder has a 
removeable ring.  Is this what you have?

When the E36 was first produced (1992), it had no cupholders.  The console 
had a single large slot in the console (similar to the console on the E30), 
and there was an ashtray mounted in the slot.  When they produced the 
"console valet and cupholder" (around 1994), it was made to mount in the 
large slot of the console, and the ashtray was removed and installed into 
the valet.

I removed the ashtray from the rear, and now have a large opening available 
for storage.  I don't remember how it was held into the console valet, but 
once you have it removed from the console you'll be able to see how it's 
installed.  The console valet in my car was installed with velcro, so it 
pulls right out.  I believe that there are provisions to screw it down, but 
it wasn't used on my car.  The whole process took about ten minutes.

- -rb

>Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 08:53:06 -0500
>From: rfg@domain.elided
>Subject: Console Valet & Cupholder
>
>	I just purchased a '96 325i.  It has, under the central front
>armrest, what is described in the BMW Accessories catalog as a "console
>valet and cupholder".  The one in my 323i is the one that has internally
>lit coin dispenser, two cupholders, and an ashtray.
>
>	I want to pull out the ashtray unit so I can use the space in which
>the ashtray unit sits for storage of a few small items.  I have removed the
>console and tried every which way to remove the ashtray unit but no dice.
>I am afraid to try to force it for fear of breaking it.  Can it be removed?
>How?
>
>	The catalog shows this "console unit" in three configurations:  all
>have the coin dispenser and two cupholder inserts.  What differs is the
>rear-most section.  It has either (a) a telephone, (b) an ashtray, or (c) a
>large storage well.  I want to remove the ashtray, thus giving me the large
>storage well.
>
>	Many thanks,
>	Bob G.
>

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