e39 540i question

[Jean]

On the center console, can the buttons be ordered on their own ?

Or does one have to order the whole console panel with buttons?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DN53&mospid=47588&btnr=51_2264&hg=51&fg=35

Also the cup holder(s) is it one assembly for both, or both cup holders are physically one unit?

[catchuk]

the cup holder is two holders in one peice and im not really sure about the buttons, sorry

[Dragowl]

On the center console, can the buttons be ordered on their own ?

Or does one have to order the whole console panel with buttons?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DN53&mospid=47588&btnr=51_2264&hg=51&fg=35

Also the cup holder(s) is it one assembly for both, or both cup holders are physically one unit?

The buttons can be ordered...Ben was selling them on BFc and on bimmerfest.

[netcsk]

Lame ass cup holders. Those things are so useless. I feel like the drink is going to tip over in them.
Hmm, I wonder if that #18 (which doesn't even show on the list) would help?

[TDE30]

Lame ass cup holders. Those things are so useless. I feel like the drink is going to tip over in them.

Truth. The things hold the bottom 1/4" of a cup and somehow they aren't supposed to tip over. Pathetic.

[Jean]

So two of these would be needed, not 1?

FRONT CUP HOLDER SCHWARZ 1 51168190205 $46.31

[netcsk]

It works for small Mickey D's cups and cans. Nothing more though. They blow.
I went to the dealer today and ask the guy if he knew of any coffee cup/mug that would work. No such luck.

[e30frosh]

So two of these would be needed, not 1?

FRONT CUP HOLDER SCHWARZ 1 51168190205 $46.31

Just one.

51 16 8 190 205

Genuine BMW Cupholder - mounts in front of gearshift


$44.95 , found that at bavauto

[Jean]

Thank you, I thought I only needed one :)

Any ideas on the buttons?

[Dave McLaren]

And they do tip over. I also hate that they don't fit many common coffee travel cups, like the OXO ones my wife buys (nice cups btw).

I used to worry about breaking those dainty arms off, but now I just take the screw-that approach and cram whatever in there and replace the POS cupholder rig every so often.

Cupholders aside, I love my 540 sport 6-speed. Not in the way I'm into my E30, but the 540 is just so nice in so many ways.

Lame ass cup holders. Those things are so useless. I feel like the drink is going to tip over in them.
Hmm, I wonder if that #18 (which doesn't even show on the list) would help?

[Dave McLaren]

Oh yeah, the original topic. The cupholders are one unit, replaced with just one easy-access screw iirc. Not like the E38 cupholders, where you have to remove half the universe to replace them.

The buttons, at least the red/blue temp buttons, can be ordered alone. I suspect the other buttons can be as well, perhaps in pairs where two are required (e.g. the temp buttons).

Since we're on buttons, iirc you can't order replacement buttons for the MID (the radio/OBC) as that's a pretty integrated piece. However, you can get a spare one off ebay and pull them apart and get good buttons. I did this for my E38.

On the center console, can the buttons be ordered on their own ?

Or does one have to order the whole console panel with buttons?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=DN53&mospid=47588&btnr=51_2264&hg=51&fg=35

Also the cup holder(s) is it one assembly for both, or both cup holders are physically one unit?

[Jean]

Thanks!

It's the "auto" botton that I am trying to find, I am going to look through realoem again or hit the dealer for it.

[reelizmpro]

The cupholders are a single unit. The buttons aren't sold individually so you have to get the entire panel w/buttons then pop them on. I was told, BMW even defaces the panel when they sell you the buttons.

[Dave McLaren]

That's odd. One of the colored triangles (arrows) on one of the temp buttons fell out, and CMW replaced just the pair of temp buttons. The blue on the replacement buttons was more vivid, better looking I thought.

If Ron had to order the whole panel, I think I'd have heard about it (and paid more moolah), and I'm pretty sure he said he'd just ordered the buttons.

The cupholders are a single unit. The buttons aren't sold individually so you have to get the entire panel w/buttons then pop them on. I was told, BMW even defaces the panel when they sell you the buttons.

[ZM Blue Devil]

Jean, I put in one of these on my e39, very happy with it. Never use the front cupholders, its an accident waiting to happen.

http://www.tecaccessories.com/products/image.php?image=http://www.tecaccessories.com/images/fullsize/CH001E39_fs.jpg&name=The+TEC+BMW+E39+5+Series+Cup+Holder

Also If you have a i phone or i pod I highly suggest one of these.

http://www.2point5.com/