How to make your trunk organizer stop sucking

[jdoublehcubed]

If you have the BMW trunk organizer, you've probably noticed that it sucks. The plastic push in rivets that BMW gives you don't work well with the huge (3/4") holes at the top of the trunk that they go in. I got tired of mine falling out, and just finished reinstalling it using rivet nuts. These work a lot like normal rivets, except that once installed, they end up with a nut sort of floating in the hole, so you can bolt an item to it.

At the bottom I have a picture of one of the rivet nuts installed in a hole. The rivet nut outer diameter is only .05" larger than the hole outer diameter, so I have a washer underneath it to distribute the load.

The stackup works like this:

1/4" bolt
lock washer
Fender washer
Outer surface of rivet nut
Smaller washer
Inner surface of trunk lid
remainder of rivet nut

The purpose of the fender washer is to create a larger surface area to support the organizer and prevent the fabric from ripping.

I ordered everything from McMaster for about $35. These are the part numbers:

1/4" Rivet Nut: 90186A500
Smaller washer: 93852A104
1/4-20 Button-head socket cap screw: 92949A537
Fender washers: 91090A109
Plastic push in rivets: 90221A421 (for the bottom holes)

I actually ordered a different rivet nut, 90186A600, which has a PVC coating to reduce the chances of corrosion. But the PCV coating was way too thick, and I cut it off, so you're better off with the uncoated one above.

You end up with a lot more pieces than you need for the job, so if anyone wants to do this, I'll hook you up with 2 rivet nuts, 2 smaller washers, 2 1/4-20 button screws, 2 lock washers, 4 fender washers, 2 push in plastic rivets, and 1 longer screw to install the rivet nuts for $10. All you need is a flat piece of metal with a hole in it to hold the rivet nut while you install it (a flat wrench would work).

Edit - the left and right edges are still loose, because there are no fasteners there. Solution: stick some big neomyium magnets inside the outer pockets. I attached them to the plastic surface in the pouch with some contact cement.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=271150412708

[intoflatlines]

Very nice. Subscribed!

[Nate4641]

I like the magnet idea, I thought about using velcro for that.

[jdoublehcubed]

I tried using 3M trim tape (the red, permanent stick kind) on the outer edges before, and it doesn't stick well to the textured plastic backing of the organizer or the cold sheet metal. I think velcro would end up with the same problem.

I was kind of surprised, usually that 3M tape will hold anything.

[jdoublehcubed]

surprised there's so little interest in this thread. are there just that few people who ever bought this organizer, or does everyone else's just work in the factory configuration?

[Loogey Clapp]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

surprised there's so little interest in this thread. are there just that few people who ever bought this organizer, or does everyone else's just work in the factory configuration?

It's a great idea. I subscribed so that I can find this thread when I get around to doing it.

[ZeD4Mr]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

surprised there's so little interest in this thread. are there just that few people who ever bought this organizer, or does everyone else's just work in the factory configuration?

When I first got the car, I thought about getting an organizer for more room etc. After a few months, I don't really see that I need more room since I don't really carry anything in the car. Sunglasses and gloves are the only things I leave in the car.

Oh yeah, a standard size cart bag with all clubs including driver with the top down in the spring/summer. No boxter/slk/e89 can do it.

[jdoublehcubed]

Originally Posted by ZeD4Mr

Oh yeah, a standard size cart bag with all clubs including driver with the top down in the spring/summer. No boxter/slk/e89 can do it.

I love telling people that when they tell me the trunk looks small

[ZeD4Mr]

It's funny when I pull up to the gold course, the bag drop boys always tell me that the parking lot is straight ahead until I stop, pull out my cart bag. Their jaw dropped.

[sbtwister]

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

surprised there's so little interest in this thread. are there just that few people who ever bought this organizer, or does everyone else's just work in the factory configuration?

Mine seems to work fine in the factory configuration. I haven't had to touch it since installation 3+ years ago.

[pip_pill]

Finally a solution!! - thanks for providing...
I cant even put a quart of oil in the organiser without it falling off
Im off to mcmaster to order the parts....
I think some dealerships botched the installation and just used push fasteners -

Pic shows someone who was selling a used one - with more substantial clips!?

Also picture seems to show a more substantial bracket to hold the top of the organiser on to the trunk.

[StickMon]

I did something similar when I got mine.
Used some of these that I had left over from a previous project.