Heat under ashtray

["Bill McCarthy" <billmac@xxxxxxxx>]

I have a 1987 528e, 155k miles. At times, I've noticed the metal ashtray
becomes hot(no, no one's smoking). By pulling out the ashtray, I've discovered
two elliptical holes cut into the body below the ashtray and hot air rising
through them. The holes appear to be machine cut, so I think this was how
the car was built. 

Has anyone else run across this and if so, what did you do to fix it? 

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