Any Interest in a Cupholder Delete Mod?

rantarM3 · 02-24-2018, 01:34 PM

I've been considering and evaluating a cup holder delete mod for my E90. Essentially, the mod would consist of removing the decorative strip and cup holders, and replacing with a custom made decorative strip that does not have any cup holder cutouts.

The replacement strip could be covered in alcantara.

Would anyone be interested in something like this?

The project cost is relatively high as envisioned and would have to be spread out among a number of units to make it feasible.

shimmy23 · 02-24-2018, 11:27 PM

Nah

BimmerRookie · 02-24-2018, 11:38 PM

Never really thought of it to be an eyesore, or anything....what's the driver behind this project?

Hujan · 02-25-2018, 01:29 PM

Yes, 100%. A simple solid black plastic strip would be great. The cupholders are too short to use for most drinks and make too much rattling when in use anyway. Would love to delete them in clean up that dash a bit.

rantarM3 · 02-25-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

Never really thought of it to be an eyesore, or anything....what's the driver behind this project?

No driver other than just as a hobby project - just for fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hujan

Yes, 100%. A simple solid black plastic strip would be great. The cupholders are too short to use for most drinks and make too much rattling when in use anyway. Would love to delete them in clean up that dash a bit.

I got a quote to have the stock piece 3D laser scanned into CAD and then have the cutouts removed (in CAD). It was not cheap but could be doable if spread out among a few of us. The hole-delete piece would the have to be 3D printed, which might be a challenge because of the length of the piece.

inTgr8r · 02-25-2018, 02:11 PM

Not interested myself, but did anyone check if euro spec cars have cup holders?
There may already be an OE part number for this.

Cup holders tend to be a N.Amer. thing.

rantarM3 · 02-25-2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Not interested myself, but did anyone check if euro spec cars have cup holders?
There may already be an OE part number for this.

Cup holders tend to be a N.Amer. thing.

Good thinking but it looks like Euro-spec cars without cupholders have a completely different dash. They don’t have the indentation where the cupholders go, and thus, no decorative strip without holes.

The best option might be to just glue a semi flexible sheet of something on and then cover with Alcantara.

slicer · 02-26-2018, 11:51 AM

I would be interested if there is some weight reduction. I realize the reduction would be minimal.

I also think it would be cool to have a clean, removable mount integrated into the driver's side cup holder. Something that could accommodate a cell phone or lap timer.

GeorgeA · 02-26-2018, 02:39 PM

What is the point of making the car more inconvenient? If you don't use cupholders (not sure where you place your drinks?) but why not just let it be and not open them? Seems like the logical thing to do. Maybe if you can explain the reason behind it?

rantarM3 · 02-26-2018, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeA

What is the point of making the car more inconvenient? If you don't use cupholders (not sure where you place your drinks?) but why not just let it be and not open them? Seems like the logical thing to do. Maybe if you can explain the reason behind it?

In all the years I've owned this car I've used the cup holders maybe twice. I just don't have a need for them. But that's besides the point.

I was looking at this just for fun and because the stock trim piece has a rubberized finish that does not last. When doing some work on my car it got marred up just by accidentally (and very lightly) dragging my finger nail on it. Because I plan on keeping the car for a long time, I'd rather not install another OEM self-disintegrating trim piece.

Hujan · 02-26-2018, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantarM3

Good thinking but it looks like Euro-spec cars without cupholders have a completely different dash. They don’t have the indentation where the cupholders go, and thus, no decorative strip without holes.

The best option might be to just glue a semi flexible sheet of something on and then cover with Alcantara.

Do you have a PN for the Euro dash? I am curious to see what that looks like.

rantarM3 · 02-27-2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hujan

Do you have a PN for the Euro dash? I am curious to see what that looks like.

Take a look here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...36&postcount=8

Kenith · 02-28-2018, 12:32 AM

If the item will be covered, why not plastic weld it closed, sand, then wrapped?

rantarM3 · 02-28-2018, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenith

If the item will be covered, why not plastic weld it closed, sand, then wrapped?

I tried gluing some thin carbon fiber sheet with epoxy but had two problems. The first is that the epoxy did not hold (I sanded the rubberized finish off the OEM trim piece) and the second was that the carbon was too stiff to conform to the shape of the trim piece. The trim piece is a relatively complex shape (it's not just a flat piece) and would need something that's flexible enough to not change the shape. I'm looking at some thin StripStirene to see if that might work.

Kenith · 02-28-2018, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantarM3

I tried gluing some thin carbon fiber sheet with epoxy but had two problems. The first is that the epoxy did not hold (I sanded the rubberized finish off the OEM trim piece) and the second was that the carbon was too stiff to conform to the shape of the trim piece. The trim piece is a relatively complex shape (it's not just a flat piece) and would need something that's flexible enough to not change the shape. I'm looking at some thin StripStirene to see if that might work.

How thick was the carbon? Lay some cf yourself on a piece of glass about the right length and height. Let it set, peel it off, then adhere that to the oem piece. I wouldn’t make it very thick as it will need to countour properly.

Hujan · 03-19-2018, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantarM3

Take a look here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...36&postcount=8

Good stuff. Now I just need to find one for sale ...

xander_g · 03-19-2018, 12:23 PM

I'm not bothered by the current cupholder setup in the e92, but i'm sure others would be interested

rantarM3 · 10-23-2018, 11:57 AM

Update: This project is underway!

After some experimentation I finally found a way to fill-in the cupholder cutouts while maintaining the curvature and twist of the OEM piece (and without adding thickness to the surface). I tried various ways to close them but none were to my liking.

The final piece will be covered in Alcantara, perhaps with a pattern stitched/embroidered on it. The stock cupholders will be removed and sacrificed to allow the finished trim piece to be mounted back onto the dash.

I'll post photos of the final product once it's all done (hoping to have it done by December).

M3 Number 86 · 11-15-2018, 06:33 PM

someone on a composites facebook group made cf covers for $60 each.

Richbot · 11-16-2018, 11:36 AM

If you're removing these and putting a trim strip over the hole instead of leaving nice lightweight air, you're not hardcore

A yeti fits perfectly I don't know what y'all are on about saying they're not useful, I use mine almost every day. The only thing that rattles is that annoying anti-tamper ring on water bottles

02-24-2018, 01:34 PM	#1
rantarM3 Captain 205 Rep 729 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (3)	Any Interest in a Cupholder Delete Mod? I've been considering and evaluating a cup holder delete mod for my E90. Essentially, the mod would consist of removing the decorative strip and cup holders, and replacing with a custom made decorative strip that does not have any cup holder cutouts. The replacement strip could be covered in alcantara. Would anyone be interested in something like this? The project cost is relatively high as envisioned and would have to be spread out among a number of units to make it feasible.
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02-24-2018, 11:27 PM	#2
shimmy23 F15 daddymobile 2341 Rep 3,507 Posts Drives: GS X5 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (3)	Nah
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02-24-2018, 11:38 PM	#3
BimmerRookie Major 469 Rep 1,320 Posts Drives: E93 Cavalier Z24 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Never really thought of it to be an eyesore, or anything....what's the driver behind this project?
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02-25-2018, 01:29 PM	#4
Hujan Brigadier General 569 Rep 3,742 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: . iTrader: (16)	Yes, 100%. A simple solid black plastic strip would be great. The cupholders are too short to use for most drinks and make too much rattling when in use anyway. Would love to delete them in clean up that dash a bit.
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02-25-2018, 02:11 PM	#6
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2426 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Not interested myself, but did anyone check if euro spec cars have cup holders? There may already be an OE part number for this. Cup holders tend to be a N.Amer. thing. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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02-26-2018, 11:51 AM	#8
slicer Major General 2738 Rep 6,734 Posts Drives: 'E46 M3 Race Car, '23 X7 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin - Instagram - @slicer_m iTrader: (39)	I would be interested if there is some weight reduction. I realize the reduction would be minimal. I also think it would be cool to have a clean, removable mount integrated into the driver's side cup holder. Something that could accommodate a cell phone or lap timer. __________________ '23 X7 '04 M3 - Fall Line Motorsports Built Race Car - S65 swap, Dry Sump, Bosch Stand-Alone ECU, Drenth Sequential Trans, MCS 3-Way, Flossmann Wide Body, Brembo Motorsports Brakes, Drexler LSD, BBS E88 Etc. INSTAGRAM - @Slicer_M Last edited by slicer; 02-26-2018 at 12:12 PM..
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02-26-2018, 02:39 PM	#9
GeorgeA Major 757 Rep 1,408 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	What is the point of making the car more inconvenient? If you don't use cupholders (not sure where you place your drinks?) but why not just let it be and not open them? Seems like the logical thing to do. Maybe if you can explain the reason behind it?
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02-28-2018, 12:32 AM	#13
Kenith Private First Class 32 Rep 133 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	If the item will be covered, why not plastic weld it closed, sand, then wrapped?
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03-19-2018, 12:23 PM	#17
xander_g Major 990 Rep 1,123 Posts Drives: G30 M550i Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2) Garage List 2018 BMW M550i Xdrive [0.00]	I'm not bothered by the current cupholder setup in the e92, but i'm sure others would be interested
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10-23-2018, 11:57 AM	#18
rantarM3 Captain 205 Rep 729 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (3)	Update: This project is underway! After some experimentation I finally found a way to fill-in the cupholder cutouts while maintaining the curvature and twist of the OEM piece (and without adding thickness to the surface). I tried various ways to close them but none were to my liking. The final piece will be covered in Alcantara, perhaps with a pattern stitched/embroidered on it. The stock cupholders will be removed and sacrificed to allow the finished trim piece to be mounted back onto the dash. I'll post photos of the final product once it's all done (hoping to have it done by December).
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11-15-2018, 06:33 PM	#19
M3 Number 86 Major General 3221 Rep 6,218 Posts Drives: black m3 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: pasadena iTrader: (1)	someone on a composites facebook group made cf covers for $60 each. __________________ dadmobile IG: @M3number86 youtube: track vids
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11-16-2018, 11:36 AM	#20
Richbot Major General 2759 Rep 5,484 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	If you're removing these and putting a trim strip over the hole instead of leaving nice lightweight air, you're not hardcore A yeti fits perfectly I don't know what y'all are on about saying they're not useful, I use mine almost every day. The only thing that rattles is that annoying anti-tamper ring on water bottles __________________
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