Removed my center console Phone kit thing

FenixMike · 06-03-2018, 04:06 PM

in my 2014 X5, I couldn't see any purpose in keeping that phone assembly in the center console so I ordered the cover plate from BMW and removed it. I was going to do a write up, but its literally 4 screws, 3 plugs to unplug, and a plastic plug holder that transfers. I think I spent a combined 4 minutes doing it and I believe the trim piece was $30 from BMW, no new hardware or other parts are required.

Basically if you want to do it, heres the quick and dirty.
remove the 3 visible torx screws
using a screw driver or trim panel tool, remove the fan cover from next to the phone setup (it pops right off)
pull the fan out (its not attached, just sits in there) and there is another torx screw behind it
carefully lift and pull forward the entire assembly, it will snap right out
Unplug the 3 harnesses (two antenna and one electrical)
transfer the plastic plug tray from the phone unit to the BMW trim cover you are putting back in - it has identical snap in points
put the harnesses in their snap in points so they don't move around
starting with the bottom first, insert the trim piece into the console, then push back towards the rear of the vehicle so it snaps into place. Mine was very firm so I gave it a firm smack and it all snapped into place nice and tight.
Finished!

turboawd · 06-03-2018, 06:20 PM

Yeah there was a big thread on here about this.

FenixMike · 06-03-2018, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboawd

Yeah there was a big thread on here about this.

I found a thread for an X3 and didn't want to revive it from the dead

r33_RGSport · 06-03-2018, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenixMike

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboawd

Yeah there was a big thread on here about this.

I found a thread for an X3 and didn't want to revive it from the dead

Don't worry. You did good.

Welcome to the F15/F16 X5/X6 forum.

F15 X5 Telephone Cradle in Console DIY https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=963790

FenixMike · 06-03-2018, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

Don't worry. You did good.

Welcome to the F15/F16 X5/X6 forum.

F15 X5 Telephone Cradle in Console DIY https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=963790

Well hot dang! I didn't find that one when searching... Good work

DuSh · 06-03-2018, 10:49 PM

I may come as an idiot, but I recently discovered that center console is air conditioned via small vent - I put a water bottle and it was chill when I needed. Will this trim piece cover that vent essentially making it not air conditioned?

CatalinP · 06-04-2018, 12:08 AM

The original trim cover has the openings for the fan, and also the fan itself is mounted on the inside of this cover.
The replacement cover has no openings nor the bracket to mount the fan.

r33_RGSport · 06-04-2018, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuSh

I may come as an idiot, but I recently discovered that center console is air conditioned via small vent - I put a water bottle and it was chill when I needed. Will this trim piece cover that vent essentially making it not air conditioned?

The chilled air is not from the fan. But it is from the air ducting for rear vent.

FenixMike · 06-04-2018, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatalinP

The original trim cover has the openings for the fan, and also the fan itself is mounted on the inside of this cover.
The replacement cover has no openings nor the bracket to mount the fan.

well that sucks, I will have to go back to BMW and see if there is an alternate part number... I just had the parts guy get me the non phone console cover.

FenixMike · 06-04-2018, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

The chilled air is not from the fan. But it is from the air ducting for rear vent.

Pretty sure ive found my new subject matter expert when I have stupid questions that need answers I cant find anywhere else

Its very difficult coming from the domestic side and wanting to tinker with things and not have a lot of insight on what can be changed. After doing this, the next thing on my list is replace all the outer door seals since they are starting to crack, but ive seen a bunch of threads of new ones bulging out. Seems like they are just adhesive strips? Any downside to just removing them or do they substantially help with wind noise?

r33_RGSport · 06-04-2018, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenixMike

Pretty sure ive found my new subject matter expert when I have stupid questions that need answers I cant find anywhere else

Its very difficult coming from the domestic side and wanting to tinker with things and not have a lot of insight on what can be changed. After doing this, the next thing on my list is replace all the outer door seals since they are starting to crack, but ive seen a bunch of threads of new ones bulging out. Seems like they are just adhesive strips? Any downside to just removing them or do they substantially help with wind noise?

I personally don't have issue with it during 3 years of ownership.
And mine was the early production.
I don't think any aftermarket will be any better than the OEM.
Besides if you buy OEM, they have 2 years warranty on the parts.

FenixMike · 06-04-2018, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

I personally don't have issue with it during 3 years of ownership.
And mine was the early production.
I don't think any aftermarket will be any better than the OEM.
Besides if you buy OEM, they have 2 years warranty on the parts.

I was going to use OEM as I get pretty good pricing from BMW parts, but I just didn't know if people removed them when they started to crack or fail, or if they bought new ones and reinstalled them.

fosterelli · 06-04-2018, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenixMike

well that sucks, I will have to go back to BMW and see if there is an alternate part number... I just had the parts guy get me the non phone console cover.

There are two options, you have the phone version (which has the slots for the fan) and the non-phone version (no slots).

So by removing the phone mount and replacing the trim to the non-fan, you've done exactly what you should.

The fan is useless unless you have a phone in there...it's just to keep your phone cool while charging, and I believe it only works if the phone is docked.

CatalinP · 06-04-2018, 01:49 PM

It works even without the phone docked.

On a side note, it is really strange that there is no chilled glovebox compartment on center console, as in much cheaper cars.

fosterelli · 06-04-2018, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatalinP

It works even without the phone docked.

Still useless. But are you certain? So what activates the fan then? Internal temp of the compartment? As far as I know it is only a cooling fan (like on a PC) for the phone/charger. Seems strange to run without a phone. Especially since without the phone dock the fan is not part of the vehicle build. I think we've all unplugged our fans while changing out the circa 1985 dock anyway.

CatalinP · 06-05-2018, 01:45 AM

Well, I removed the phone cradle within weeks after buying the car, so I don't recall exactly whether the fan was always working, or only sometimes, but I never put my phone in the cradle as I don't have the proper adapter for my model.
Still, I could definitely feel the air flow coming from the fan.

06-03-2018, 04:06 PM	#1
FenixMike Captain 452 Rep 844 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW M5 Competition Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Tulsa, OK iTrader: (1)	Removed my center console Phone kit thing in my 2014 X5, I couldn't see any purpose in keeping that phone assembly in the center console so I ordered the cover plate from BMW and removed it. I was going to do a write up, but its literally 4 screws, 3 plugs to unplug, and a plastic plug holder that transfers. I think I spent a combined 4 minutes doing it and I believe the trim piece was $30 from BMW, no new hardware or other parts are required. Basically if you want to do it, heres the quick and dirty. remove the 3 visible torx screws using a screw driver or trim panel tool, remove the fan cover from next to the phone setup (it pops right off) pull the fan out (its not attached, just sits in there) and there is another torx screw behind it carefully lift and pull forward the entire assembly, it will snap right out Unplug the 3 harnesses (two antenna and one electrical) transfer the plastic plug tray from the phone unit to the BMW trim cover you are putting back in - it has identical snap in points put the harnesses in their snap in points so they don't move around starting with the bottom first, insert the trim piece into the console, then push back towards the rear of the vehicle so it snaps into place. Mine was very firm so I gave it a firm smack and it all snapped into place nice and tight. Finished! __________________ 2014 M5 Competition with ESS Tuning Flash Gone but never forgotten...2015 X5 50i M Sport, 2015 550i M-Sport, 2015 M3, 2014 X5 50i M Sport, 2015 435i M Sport, 2011 550i, 2011 535i
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06-03-2018, 06:20 PM	#2
turboawd Banned 1642 Rep 2,995 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 35i Join Date: May 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Yeah there was a big thread on here about this.
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06-03-2018, 10:49 PM	#6
DuSh Colonel 2114 Rep 2,388 Posts Drives: F15 X5 50i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I may come as an idiot, but I recently discovered that center console is air conditioned via small vent - I put a water bottle and it was chill when I needed. Will this trim piece cover that vent essentially making it not air conditioned?
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06-04-2018, 12:08 AM	#7
CatalinP Major 591 Rep 1,270 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 2014 3.0xd Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: RO iTrader: (0)	The original trim cover has the openings for the fan, and also the fan itself is mounted on the inside of this cover. The replacement cover has no openings nor the bracket to mount the fan.
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06-04-2018, 01:49 PM	#14
CatalinP Major 591 Rep 1,270 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 2014 3.0xd Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: RO iTrader: (0)	It works even without the phone docked. On a side note, it is really strange that there is no chilled glovebox compartment on center console, as in much cheaper cars.
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Removed my center console Phone kit thing

06-05-2018, 01:45 AM	#16
CatalinP Major 591 Rep 1,270 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15 2014 3.0xd Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: RO iTrader: (0)	Well, I removed the phone cradle within weeks after buying the car, so I don't recall exactly whether the fan was always working, or only sometimes, but I never put my phone in the cradle as I don't have the proper adapter for my model. Still, I could definitely feel the air flow coming from the fan.
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