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      09-05-2023, 12:36 PM   #1
JALS80
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Driver storage compartment DIY

Hi,

Has anyone tried to retrofit the small storage compartment located at the driver side?

If yes, did you use a template or something?
I'm planning doing it but I would like to be sure it's possible.
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      09-05-2023, 03:57 PM   #2
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Unless you install an older dashboard it’s not possible. They completely removed the compartment area on the newer cars, not possible to retrofit
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      09-05-2023, 04:19 PM   #3
JALS80
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Well, I was thinking to cut the dashboard, the area is well defined.
So pass from the 1st picture to the 2nd.

For the E90 there was a DIY guide to do that: DIY E90
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      09-06-2023, 12:02 AM   #4
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You could try to cut it manually, I would double check to make sure there are no wires or wiring harnesses in that area.

I hate that BMW removed it, I used to use it as an area to keep my wallet and sunglasses. I would have paid more for it even
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      09-06-2023, 01:28 AM   #5
JALS80
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Yes, I will try to cut it manually. My biggest concern is to do the cut where it should be to not have alignement issues after, is because of that I asked if someone have done it or if someone who have it factory installed can make a template of the hole and share it, will be highly appreciate 😊
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      09-06-2023, 02:20 PM   #6
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Drop the panel first to make sure you aren't cutting into a harness. It will also give you a better visual to see how much room you have.
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      09-06-2023, 03:08 PM   #7
JALS80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ryann View Post
Drop the panel first to make sure you aren't cutting into a harness. It will also give you a better visual to see how much room you have.
The panel is one piece, so I would have to dismantle the entire dashboard to have visual. Not an option.
I will start drilling a small hole and sewing with a mini saw very slowly.

Someone who have the compartment installed could make a template of the hole, please? 🙏🏽 Just to have the real dimensions of the picture attached.
I promise to do a DIY detailed of the process 😉
For the moment I have already bought the compartment, it should arrive next week.
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      09-22-2023, 04:20 PM   #8
JALS80
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First step done!!
Box received and seems to fit well at the place.

Now working in the template, any help will be appreciated 😊
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      09-22-2023, 11:54 PM   #9
Sierra055
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Look forward to seeing how you go with this as i'd love to do the same
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      09-23-2023, 02:11 AM   #10
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I finish it .
you also need
07147134265*2
07149323312*3
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      09-23-2023, 03:14 AM   #11
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Driver storage compartment DIY

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      09-23-2023, 03:29 AM   #12
JALS80
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Wow!! Nice work!!
Don't cut the holes at the bottom? My box has some clips.
Do you use a template to do the hole? Do you mind to share it, please?
The plastic is hard? Do you think I would be able to cut it with a small manual saw (no dremel)
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      09-23-2023, 03:40 AM   #13
Bmw340JP
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The new box does not have 2 clips , you can cut it
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      09-23-2023, 03:45 AM   #14
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no clips
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      10-12-2023, 08:16 AM   #15
phillyd2
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How does it stay attached without the clips?

To whoever needs a template, since you have the actual part in hand you should easily be able to make your own with a piece of cardboard.
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      10-13-2023, 07:06 AM   #16
JALS80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phillyd2 View Post
How does it stay attached without the clips?
I'm wondering the same.


Quote:
Originally Posted by phillyd2 View Post
To whoever needs a template, since you have the actual part in hand you should easily be able to make your own with a piece of cardboard.
It's what I'm trying to do, but not so easy as I would think 😬
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      10-14-2023, 01:29 AM   #17
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Any way you could write up a how to?? I want to do this on my G42 M240 which has the same exact panel since we both have idrive 8. I will buy you a beer if you ever come to Naperville IL!!
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      10-14-2023, 06:07 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JALS80 View Post
...
It's what I'm trying to do, but not so easy as I would think ��
I'm not inclined to dismount mine (G22 -21) but if the picture of the complete panel you posted is the correct panel that would fit your new part, this is what I would do:
1) copy the picture to a "good" graphics program (in my case ACDSee Photo Studio) to have a picture of the hole.
2) Correct the slight perspective distortion in the photo (because the photo is not capture totally straight on. Do that by measure distances between mounting holes on your real part. I don't think you need fancy algorithms to do this since the photo is take fairly straight on and the shape to cut out is also fairly simple. Just do linear adjustments so the mounting holes fit.
3) Scale it so you can print the shape on paper with the correct measurements.
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      10-16-2023, 01:09 AM   #19
Bmw340JP
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There is a screw to lock in the Driver storage compartment inside.
so you need 07149323312*3PCS
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      11-10-2023, 04:16 PM   #20
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I also started to do this upgrade myself, after seeing the posts here and on other forums.

The box itself I could buy on ebay for 49€.
I downloaded the cut-out pdf from another forum (I do not find the forum page now, so cannot link it in, sorry). And then cut the outline on the paper to check if indeed it fits my box (yes, it fits).

In the car, I removed the dashboard side cover, so that I can see if indeed there is an empty area inside the dash, and if I cut out the hole, I will not make any harm:
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In order to remove the side cover, you should remove the rubber door seal (just pull away from the frame):
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The side cover has 4 pins holding it in place, you need a plastic prier and some strength to disengage them. You can see the locations of the pins here:
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The side cover (on its top edge) is below the A-pillar cover, so you need to consider this when trying to remove the cover piece:
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Because on one forum I have seen that cutting out the dash was quite messy, with a lot of dust flying around, I realized that it is probably caused by the insulation material glued to the backside of the dash. So when I removed the side cover and checked the hole, I simply tear off the insulating piece, hopefully that will reduce the dust during cutting:
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After removal, this is how the hole looks like. On the left you see the metal "frame", onto which you will fasten the box with the screw at the bottom of the box:
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I will report back once I did the cut-out, if indeed there was less dust and mess. But first I need to get the 3 screws from BMW, which will fasted the box in place.
Watch this space...
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      12-13-2023, 06:00 PM   #21
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Following!
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Bimmercode best coding options (Basic and Advanced):
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...5#post29807925
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      02-26-2024, 06:24 PM   #22
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I promised to report back... so here it is, even if with some delay:

Unfortunately the work was still messy (or rather dusty)! So my idea mentioned in my previous post did not help....
Even if I covered the wheel, the headup-display, the seat and the middle-console, it was still dust on all other places left uncovered....

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Cutting out the hole with a Dremel was quite easy, except that I was not careful enough, and made some damage: not very nice, but after using some grey markers to get rid of the white spots, not so visible down below. So be careful how you hold the Dremel....

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But overall I am quite happy with the result, it works as is should, and gives a nice storage for my sunglasses and other smaller stuff.
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