You’re the man! Thank you thank you! I’ve hated that damn cradle for years. It’s always in the way and the dealership told me that “it can’t be removed”. F them. Love BMW, hate the dealership.
Great tips and very helpful. But this can be made much easier by simply unscrewing the phone holder and cutting the wires. One is only a small co-axial, so just put a bit of tape over the end. The other is small five core. Just peel back the outer sheath and keep each wire separate and again tape up. You could put a blob of silicone on of you wanted to seal it fully. I didn't. Then just tuck the wire back in to the recess before covering. I made a simple card cover with folds in the right places. Then covered it with sticky back plastic (you could use vinyl wrap). Cheap and easy. Looks ok.
Thanks so much for these instructions on removing that annoying phone cradle! It worked! Hard part for me was detaching the cords - was hard to do in such an awkward, small space. But it’s done!
Thank you for this video! Totally worked! Hard part for me was detaching the cords - hard to do in such an awkward, small space. But so glad the cradle is removed!
Thanks, i removed to. But why did you use that plastic cover? I used the original one without the phone modul. I would keep the fun. I cut i piece of rubber carpet to cover the hole. It is absolute nice looking.
Thanks for the video! Bedankt ☺️ I love having the fan though, because it cools my redbull can! Is there any way in keeping the fan but removing the top cell phone stuff???
This is great!! We just yesterday, bought a 2012 BMW x5 35D and it has this big thing in it and the dealership had no clue what it was. We assumed something for an old phone but it takes up SO much room. We were super bummed as we had to drive 10 hours to get it and they didn't show that so were hoping there was an easy/inexpensive fix :) thanks a bunch!! Edit....ok...so mine is a 2012...when I looked up the part it says not for mine...but it looks exactly the same as what you show here. Hopefully they have the same part for a 2012 🥺😭 already having buyers remorse
@jadedenthusiasms - congrats on the purchase. I would check with your local dealer, it might be the exact part but different part number or little different in dimensions
Is it possible to simply remove the phone cradle itself and then reuse the existing back panel? 'Coz I like the fan in the console, it helps keep the inside of the console cool when I have the A/C on.
Nice video that thing makes me crazy but just to forewarn anyone about the heat conditions in there. I have space gray and my 2014 X5 got so hot in the cabin that it melted a pair of my reading glasses. It was 140 degrees in NY and leave a lot of things in those compartment so by taking the fan out it is worth the trade off because that phone apparatus will be of no use: or will it can we tap into the power and put lights in there. I like the blue lights in the cabin I wish they were brighter. Thanks for the straight forward way of explaining the process.
@ Richie Morgan - thanks, if I'm not mistaken that fan only runs when phone is in the cradle otherwise it doesn't turn on. And if the car is parked it will never turn on.
On mine the carpet screw holder near the front is broken off. Not sure if there is a way to fix it. I have it jammed back in pretty tight.. something that just annoys me now 😃
Wish somebody made a video like this for the F01 7 series of this same generation. The cradle is attached differently so unfortunately this video is no help in my case.
Some of tabs are hard to get off. I ended up clipping the wires and taping as i nor anyone should have need to have this installed. I also would suggest putting a small towel over the back once yiu pry the cradle away as there are some sharp parts that wil cut your hand as you try to reach down t ok undo the wires. I also pickec up partition organizer that fits perfect, made for the X5. Thanks for the idea and video.
What did you do with the connectors ? Did plug any dumies ? Cos I red that when disconnected it result in no sound/no BT/ on USB !! Kindly clear that point
Same issue please help I’m going crazy. I asked my garage to remove the phone connector. Got the car back and the entire sound system is having “hiccups” even the warning sound for seatbelt on just “hiccups”. I asked them to connect it back and now strangely the problem is there when I turn the car on but takes a few minutes before it’s less frequent hiccups but doesn’t completely go away. What is the issue here I’m going mad can’t listen to anything in my car anymore
@@ibrahimsaleh3155 Unfortunately my situation too. "No Acoustic" only message. no radio bluetooth etc. I feel I know a little as a Engineer with old B class electrical licence. I took time to heat shrink every wire to ensure no shorting etc. Im about to ensure I havent done fuse (though all illuminated) and look to remove at actual plug instead of cutting. Let you know. For interest my cover plate is $50 and dealer wanted $290 per hour to look at. Im in Perth Australia.
Does the fan not cool the glove box when the air con is on acting as a cool box ? If so why remove the fan too? Could you not have left the fan and only remove the stupid charger ?
@dan Bryson - fan cooling only takes place when phone is plugged in, it doesn't provide the cooling or heating based on car ac/heat temperature settings.
I have also have this phone cradle in my John Cooper Works MIni , can an adaptor be bought to turn it in to a wireless charger for iphone 8 or maybe to turn it in to a USB to charge phones
man i noticed that on my f15 i have a fridge that makes this area very cold so once i remove the fan i will not have cold air in the fridge is there a cover that i can keep the fan so it will stay cold all the time regards
@rami587 - The built in fan is too cool down the area if phone plugged in and depending the ac temp, the center console can be cold as ac/heat lines(pipes) run under it. You cant buy a cover and keep the fan intact
Thx for this post. I have a 2014 f15 x5 w/ same cradle. What I’m considering: buying cover plate as in your video, but also buying plug adapters/ connectors to utilize cell phone wires to convert into extra usb charging. Of course, will have to modify plate a little. Anyone done this?
@bryan bair - there is one USB and cigarette charger that you can put in USB cables. Essentially what I did was used charging to add car charger which has dual port.
Please help me. I took my car to the garage to remove it. When I got it back the entire sound in the car is doing “hiccups” . I am going mad. Every few seconds the music just glitches. Even the sound when you first turn the car on to put the seat belt on is going interconnected like hiccups. I asked them to put it back the way it was, but the problem stays. At least for 10, mins after turning the car on. Then it becomes less frequent but doesn’t really completely go away. What’s happening here.
@ibtahimsaleh3155 - did they remove the cradle? Can u look if it was unplugged or wires were snipped and connected? There shouldn't be any worse snipping. I have my unplugged for over 7 years. Sound meaning sound system or all alert notifications like start/belts/door open? What you are driving sounds like someone snipped and connected wires. Take a look at the armrest.
All alert notifications such as seatbelt warning and the sound the car makes the moment you step inside all glitch. I know they didn’t snip because they had this device with the 3 wires connected to it in my trunk. Also I don’t have a fan like your video. The wire goes inside and behind I checked this morning. I’m just beyond frustrated at this stage. I don’t understand how cables for this phone charger can possibly impact the entire sound coming from my speakers for everything coming out from the speakers. Any other ideas?
@alexandra Franca - good question, it would be similar but not same and that is if e70 offered the phone integration piece.. Should be similar concept if one exist
Part number for E chassis will definitely be different even if part looks identical. I would recommend checking BMW parts catalog online or local dealer.
@@SheziMotorsport And they don't have adapters for near enough phones to make it worth taking up all that space. Good vid, thanks for posting! iirc the one for my E70 was way more difficult so I just left it in there & annoyed myself every other day with it. SInce they haven't updated the adapters the one in my F85 is def coming out
@@tonicrvnts I would agree with that statement, first you need a module for apple device and than the exact adapter depending on model.. don't think it supported Android device error
Just as I was thinking, "what about that big hole?" You mentioned the cover and posted a link, which is still active today. Awesome work my friend!
You’re the man! Thank you thank you! I’ve hated that damn cradle for years. It’s always in the way and the dealership told me that “it can’t be removed”. F them. Love BMW, hate the dealership.
@matt allen - u are welcome..
That thing has annoyed me for 5 years. Thanks for the video...free space at last!
@chris macdonald - you are welcome. Enjoy the extra space.. thank you.
I'm so happy I have done this. More room and thanks for the video and link to the trim.
Thanks for posting the video! I've been wanting to remove that darn phone holder since the day I got my X5! Now I can do it, thanks to you!! :)
Great tips and very helpful. But this can be made much easier by simply unscrewing the phone holder and cutting the wires. One is only a small co-axial, so just put a bit of tape over the end. The other is small five core. Just peel back the outer sheath and keep each wire separate and again tape up. You could put a blob of silicone on of you wanted to seal it fully. I didn't. Then just tuck the wire back in to the recess before covering. I made a simple card cover with folds in the right places. Then covered it with sticky back plastic (you could use vinyl wrap). Cheap and easy. Looks ok.
Thank you for this video, worked perfectly!! The only hard part was detaching the cables. Looks way better now ;)
It would be nice if you can leave fan in place.
Thanks so much for these instructions on removing that annoying phone cradle! It worked! Hard part for me was detaching the cords - was hard to do in such an awkward, small space. But it’s done!
Thanks for posting the phone cradle removal!
I remember my 2013 X5 had the cradle. When I traded in for a 2017 X5 I was so happy that it didn't have a cradle.
Thank you for this video! Totally worked! Hard part for me was detaching the cords - hard to do in such an awkward, small space. But so glad the cradle is removed!
Thanks for the video! Been looking for something that covered this removal for awhile.
Thanks, i removed to.
But why did you use that plastic cover? I used the original one without the phone modul. I would keep the fun. I cut i piece of rubber carpet to cover the hole. It is absolute nice looking.
@Janos Janurik - I did it for clean look and part wasnt too expensive
Thanks for the video! Bedankt ☺️ I love having the fan though, because it cools my redbull can! Is there any way in keeping the fan but removing the top cell phone stuff???
Thnx man!
My 2016 f15 did not have a fan, all the rest was the same
Thanks for this video! This worked perfectly! So much better to have storage space.
Great video, thank you! Worked perfectly on a 2015 X5.
This is great!! We just yesterday, bought a 2012 BMW x5 35D and it has this big thing in it and the dealership had no clue what it was. We assumed something for an old phone but it takes up SO much room. We were super bummed as we had to drive 10 hours to get it and they didn't show that so were hoping there was an easy/inexpensive fix :) thanks a bunch!!
Edit....ok...so mine is a 2012...when I looked up the part it says not for mine...but it looks exactly the same as what you show here. Hopefully they have the same part for a 2012 🥺😭 already having buyers remorse
@jadedenthusiasms - congrats on the purchase. I would check with your local dealer, it might be the exact part but different part number or little different in dimensions
@@SheziMotorsport thanks so much!! It was low miles and can tow and a great deal so couldn't pass it up :) thanks for your help!!
Piece of cake! Thanks for the tutorial.
I did it after drawing some blood trying to remove the fan cable. Other cables are easier. Just press the tabs and pull!
Glad you got it done, enjoy the space
Is it possible to simply remove the phone cradle itself and then reuse the existing back panel? 'Coz I like the fan in the console, it helps keep the inside of the console cool when I have the A/C on.
@hammer rocks- you can't bc phone cradle and back are one piece, unless you saw it off and leave little gone or make a custom cover.
Nice video that thing makes me crazy but just to forewarn anyone about the heat conditions in there. I have space gray and my 2014 X5 got so hot in the cabin that it melted a pair of my reading glasses. It was 140 degrees in NY and leave a lot of things in those compartment so by taking the fan out it is worth the trade off because that phone apparatus will be of no use: or will it can we tap into the power and put lights in there. I like the blue lights in the cabin I wish they were brighter. Thanks for the straight forward way of explaining the process.
@ Richie Morgan - thanks, if I'm not mistaken that fan only runs when phone is in the cradle otherwise it doesn't turn on. And if the car is parked it will never turn on.
On mine the carpet screw holder near the front is broken off. Not sure if there is a way to fix it. I have it jammed back in pretty tight.. something that just annoys me now 😃
I want to buy the product in the video, can I know the source of the product?
Wish somebody made a video like this for the F01 7 series of this same generation. The cradle is attached differently so unfortunately this video is no help in my case.
Thanks, going to tackle this one. question: did you experience any ongoing error codes displayed after you removed the phone hookup?
No, I didn't. Just make sure the car is off. And get all 4 screws out before you unplug wires.
Some of tabs are hard to get off. I ended up clipping the wires and taping as i nor anyone should have need to have this installed. I also would suggest putting a small towel over the back once yiu pry the cradle away as there are some sharp parts that wil cut your hand as you try to reach down t ok undo the wires. I also pickec up partition organizer that fits perfect, made for the X5. Thanks for the idea and video.
Once clipped, did any error codes result? I have mine out but I muscled it and just want to delete the wires.
@daniel muth - no error. No codes. All wired were removed from their respective clips.
The price on those plastic covers is absurd right now
@jaypers - sorry to hear, I think I paid around or Under $20
@@SheziMotorsport It's about $18 and $533 to ship to Australia lol
@ewmism861 - can you find from local BMW dealer? Or Amazon
What did you do with the connectors ?
Did plug any dumies ?
Cos I red that when disconnected it result in no sound/no BT/ on USB !!
Kindly clear that point
@Eslam sedky - for my 2014 connectors are left disconnected and BT and USB works. It might have changed in later years f15 that could be the case.
Same issue please help I’m going crazy. I asked my garage to remove the phone connector. Got the car back and the entire sound system is having “hiccups” even the warning sound for seatbelt on just “hiccups”. I asked them to connect it back and now strangely the problem is there when I turn the car on but takes a few minutes before it’s less frequent hiccups but doesn’t completely go away. What is the issue here I’m going mad can’t listen to anything in my car anymore
@@ibrahimsaleh3155 Unfortunately my situation too. "No Acoustic" only message. no radio bluetooth etc. I feel I know a little as a Engineer with old B class electrical licence. I took time to heat shrink every wire to ensure no shorting etc.
Im about to ensure I havent done fuse (though all illuminated) and look to remove at actual plug instead of cutting.
Let you know. For interest my cover plate is $50 and dealer wanted $290 per hour to look at. Im in Perth Australia.
Does the fan not cool the glove box when the air con is on acting as a cool box ? If so why remove the fan too? Could you not have left the fan and only remove the stupid charger ?
@dan Bryson - fan cooling only takes place when phone is plugged in, it doesn't provide the cooling or heating based on car ac/heat temperature settings.
@@SheziMotorsport ah fair enough 👍
Just did this, thanks so much! It was really easy following your video!
@juan pablo alarcon - you are welcome, glad you got it done...
Is there a chance that removing the phone cradle would trigger any error codes?
@dina baghari - none, mine has been removed for over 2 years and no lights or error code at all
@@SheziMotorsport Thank you! I will try this out then!
@sina bagheri good luck!!!
Very helpful
I have also have this phone cradle in my John Cooper Works MIni , can an adaptor be bought to turn it in to a wireless charger for iphone 8 or maybe to turn it in to a USB to charge phones
@john Hedley - the wireless adapter won't work in it..BMW over the counter adapter for wireless goes into cup holder...
man i noticed that on my f15 i have a fridge that makes this area very cold so once i remove the fan i will not have cold air in the fridge is there a cover that i can keep the fan so it will stay cold all the time regards
@rami587 - The built in fan is too cool down the area if phone plugged in and depending the ac temp, the center console can be cold as ac/heat lines(pipes) run under it. You cant buy a cover and keep the fan intact
Thx for this post. I have a 2014 f15 x5 w/ same cradle. What I’m considering: buying cover plate as in your video, but also buying plug adapters/ connectors to utilize cell phone wires to convert into extra usb charging. Of course, will have to modify plate a little. Anyone done this?
@bryan bair - there is one USB and cigarette charger that you can put in USB cables. Essentially what I did was used charging to add car charger which has dual port.
Please help me. I took my car to the garage to remove it. When I got it back the entire sound in the car is doing “hiccups” . I am going mad. Every few seconds the music just glitches. Even the sound when you first turn the car on to put the seat belt on is going interconnected like hiccups. I asked them to put it back the way it was, but the problem stays. At least for 10, mins after turning the car on. Then it becomes less frequent but doesn’t really completely go away. What’s happening here.
@ibtahimsaleh3155 - did they remove the cradle? Can u look if it was unplugged or wires were snipped and connected? There shouldn't be any worse snipping. I have my unplugged for over 7 years. Sound meaning sound system or all alert notifications like start/belts/door open?
What you are driving sounds like someone snipped and connected wires. Take a look at the armrest.
All alert notifications such as seatbelt warning and the sound the car makes the moment you step inside all glitch. I know they didn’t snip because they had this device with the 3 wires connected to it in my trunk. Also I don’t have a fan like your video. The wire goes inside and behind I checked this morning. I’m just beyond frustrated at this stage. I don’t understand how cables for this phone charger can possibly impact the entire sound coming from my speakers for everything coming out from the speakers. Any other ideas?
Thanks for the video! Just knocked mine out 👍🏼
Hi there, do you know if this will be the same for BMW X5 E70 ? Cheers
@alexandra Franca - good question, it would be similar but not same and that is if e70 offered the phone integration piece.. Should be similar concept if one exist
Outstanding
Perfect. Thank you.
Can you tell me the part number for X3 F25 2014 thanks
Dragonite dimitri - I'm sorry I don't know the part for x3..
Wood that part number the cover fit my X5 e70 2008
Part number for E chassis will definitely be different even if part looks identical. I would recommend checking BMW parts catalog online or local dealer.
do you know if this fit in X6 F16? thanks!!
Yes it should, but check the party number just incase if it's different..
Order the part from your local BMW dealer. You will save $20 of shipping.
I bought mine at local dealer and it was under $20.
Are u selling your phone unit? Thx
@winstwu - you can have mine if you can provide shipping and within 50 states. I took it off and been sitting.
@@SheziMotorsport Thank you, what's your email or can you email me at my username at gmail dot com. thx!
What is it for anyway?
@Antron Vaughn - it's a phone craddle, to plug in your iOS device.
@@SheziMotorsport lol it looks ugly like a souvenir from the 90's "portable" phones
@alexandar biemann- agreed
What kind of phone you supposed to be able to charge with that connection?! 🙄
You have to buy that adapter separate, you didn't think BMW will let you get that stuff this easily..lol
@@SheziMotorsport And they don't have adapters for near enough phones to make it worth taking up all that space. Good vid, thanks for posting! iirc the one for my E70 was way more difficult so I just left it in there & annoyed myself every other day with it. SInce they haven't updated the adapters the one in my F85 is def coming out
@that Kasper - I believe it was for iPhone only and I believe it supported upto iPhone 7, don't quote me I could be wrong..
@@SheziMotorsport I'm not sure but it seems to me like no matter what phone you have, you need an adapter to make it work 🙄
@@tonicrvnts I would agree with that statement, first you need a module for apple device and than the exact adapter depending on model.. don't think it supported Android device error
Hi Guys, anyone who wants to know how to remove the phone cradle safely without losing the small fan please let me know and I will explain.
Please let us know
Yeah please hook me up, doing this tomorrow
I got one in my 2013 F30 annoying thing lol
Can you send the link for that extra part ?
part no is 51 16 9 252 106, i have also uploaded a link in the video.
I always wondered what that crap is for
It's complete waste of space..
Not for E70
that's a different vehicle
$16.76 for the part
$358.43 for shipping 😅
I think I’ll pass
Yea but now theres no fan to cool my cologne:)
Seriously dude, I’ve been stuck in finding a way to unplug these cables for an hour now. You should have explained this better, its not easy at all.
@michael - sorry.
The stupid fan cable is the worse. Blue and black were easy.
The phone cradle is a fucking worthless piece of shit. Thanks for the video
No help at all