BMW assist slot?

[Z4Mster]

Has anyone ever converted the little slot that the BMW assist buttons come in, to the oddments tray? I have no use for the two buttons that come under the ugly clear plastic cover. I would like to remove those two buttons and put a little coin tray in there and then put a black cover over it that does not have the lip on it like with the clear cover. I am always hitting my elbow on that clear lip, and I could use the extra coin slot.

[lo-tek]

Originally Posted by Z4Mster

Has anyone ever converted the little slot that the BMW assist buttons come in, to the oddments tray? I have no use for the two buttons that come under the ugly clear plastic cover. I would like to remove those two buttons and put a little coin tray in there and then put a black cover over it that does not have the lip on it like with the clear cover. I am always hitting my elbox on that clear lip, and I could use the extra coin slot.

FWIW my 2003 Z4 came with a little box there rather than BMW Assist stuff.

[nmulax]

That's actually a damn good idea. Especially considering our car really has nowhere for change. If you put it in the ashtray it can get jammed below the power outlet, so you're left with it rattling around the door pocket.

EDIT:
Found it on realoem.com. Part 17, it's the "oddments tray". Part # 51467073533, and has a price of $17. I just wonder if it'd fit in the existing cutout, or if you'd have to replace that entire column.

[Z4Mster]

Good find....I'm not sure how to figure out what exactly to order and if the current console will work without cutting or anything major. Honestly I just hate the way that clear cover looks....If they made a console matching cover that didn't have the lip on it that sticks up....I would be happy.

[Blind32]

Originally Posted by Z4Mster

I am always hitting my elbox on that clear lip, and I could use the extra coin slot.

Great idea! I am always hitting my elbow on there too!

[tiltmode43]

Bump from the grave, anyone ever swap out their SOS panel for the oddments tray?

I'll be giving this one a shot soon. After seeing this in another Z4, the little tray would be much more useful than the James Bond-esque protected assist buttons.

[Nate4641]

Let us know how it goes. I have one of the Leather Z armrest/storage compartments and the assist cover won't close with the armrest there. I don't even know if the assist buttons work or are active. I'd imagine the buttons can come out as a solid unit and disconnect from a simple harness, then just pop in the replacement oddments tray.

[mtnbkr]

I thought about replacing the SOS buttons with the tray too but I read somewhere that disconnecting the buttons would throw a code. If only I can remember where I read it...

[tiltmode43]

Originally Posted by Nate4641

Let us know how it goes. I have one of the Leather Z armrest/storage compartments and the assist cover won't close with the armrest there. I don't even know if the assist buttons work or are active. I'd imagine the buttons can come out as a solid unit and disconnect from a simple harness, then just pop in the replacement oddments tray.

Originally Posted by mtnbkr

I thought about replacing the SOS buttons with the tray too but I read somewhere that disconnecting the buttons would throw a code. If only I can remember where I read it...

Well, I think when you retrofit the factory alarm kit it has you remove the assist tray and replace it with the oddments tray (all the threads I could find regarding the oddments tray online involved alarm retrofit). So my thinking is there has got to be a way - if it requires coding that would be fine. Depending how the unit comes apart I'm considering just tucking the buttons underneath the oddments tray, though that's not the most elegant approach to a solution.

If all goes well I'll post up a DIY for the retrofit as I don't think we're the only ones who would prefer the storage space over the antiquated assist buttons.

[Dalecan]

Originally Posted by tiltmode43

Well, I think when you retrofit the factory alarm kit it has you remove the assist tray and replace it with the oddments tray (all the threads I could find regarding the oddments tray online involved alarm retrofit). So my thinking is there has got to be a way - if it requires coding that would be fine. Depending how the unit comes apart I'm considering just tucking the buttons underneath the oddments tray, though that's not the most elegant approach to a solution.

If all goes well I'll post up a DIY for the retrofit as I don't think we're the only ones who would prefer the storage space over the antiquated assist buttons.

I retrofitted the alarm and did not have to do anything to the SOS buttons.

[DaveZ]

Originally Posted by Dalecan

I retrofitted the alarm and did not have to do anything to the SOS buttons.

Same here

[tiltmode43]

Originally Posted by Dalecan

I retrofitted the alarm and did not have to do anything to the SOS buttons.

Originally Posted by DaveZ

Same here

Oh, I don't question that. Looks like quite a few report the tray being a part of the retrofit 'kit' at least. As you guys mentioned, doesn't seem to actually be required though

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-oddments-tray

[bucko521]

Originally Posted by tiltmode43

Oh, I don't question that. Looks like quite a few report the tray being a part of the retrofit 'kit' at least. As you guys mentioned, doesn't seem to actually be required though

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-oddments-tray

I believe this is if you use the 'tilt sensor' for the interior when doing the alarm upgrade. I did not use this one mine either.