Cupholder LCI vs. Pre LCI FYI

Beast27 · 08-10-2018, 03:07 PM

I purchased my ’14 M5 a year and a half ago with a broken cupholder. I finally got around to purchase and install a new one but noticed the one I had bought was different than my broken one. Pre LCI is different with more moving parts and different cupholder sizes between the right and left holders with the right being a bit deeper. LCI cupholder is fixed and both holders are the same size. I ended up going with the new LCI version as I thought the fixed unit works well. Took a little while to install as you have to remove center console and remove and reinstall a few connections but a nice little afternoon project. This is for a DCT as I believe the manual has the cupholders in a different spot but don’t quote me on that. I did see some older threads but nothing comparing them side by side and posting this if anyone needs to replace theirs and wants to avoid the mistake I made.

Pre LCI part 51169241714 (left in Pics)
LCI part 51169277262 (right in Pics)

TLK · 08-10-2018, 04:32 PM

I've got one of each, since the '12 550i has the older one and the '14 M5 the newer one. I prefer the newer one because on the older one coins and crap can get stuck under the moving cupholder assembly and prevent the lid from latching closed or even stuck shut. The newer one cannot have this problem.

bquicksilver · 08-10-2018, 05:45 PM

Great post! Which one has deeper cups/wider openings? The cupholder is one of my (very few) gripes with my '14 M5. Mainly how you can't put wider drinks in without some odd angle due to those odd retention springs.

Beast27 · 08-10-2018, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bquicksilver

Great post! Which one has deeper cups/wider openings? The cupholder is one of my (very few) gripes with my '14 M5. Mainly how you can't put wider drinks in without some odd angle due to those odd retention springs.

Width wise, they appear similar. The Pre LCI one has more depth in the right holder... odd they did this.

TheHouseWon · 08-10-2018, 10:25 PM

These were an afterthought for BMW

technician117 · 08-11-2018, 08:22 AM

Cup holders are always an afterthought for BMW. At least these are stronger/better than the e39 abortion. I do like being able to bring my morning coffee on my commute to work if I'm running late, so I won't say "cup holders aren't needed in a car like this". But, I'm the type that limits any open containers in the car, especially by others who can't be trusted to protect from spilling as much as I do!

TLK · 08-11-2018, 07:29 PM

The older cup holder has a little more support higher up due to that funky moving plastic bar. Both take only the same size drinks, which is basically just a small water bottle, can or tapered drink/coffee cups.

08-10-2018, 03:07 PM	#1
Beast27 Lieutenant 358 Rep 428 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 Alpine White/Black CP Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (3)	Cupholder LCI vs. Pre LCI FYI I purchased my ’14 M5 a year and a half ago with a broken cupholder. I finally got around to purchase and install a new one but noticed the one I had bought was different than my broken one. Pre LCI is different with more moving parts and different cupholder sizes between the right and left holders with the right being a bit deeper. LCI cupholder is fixed and both holders are the same size. I ended up going with the new LCI version as I thought the fixed unit works well. Took a little while to install as you have to remove center console and remove and reinstall a few connections but a nice little afternoon project. This is for a DCT as I believe the manual has the cupholders in a different spot but don’t quote me on that. I did see some older threads but nothing comparing them side by side and posting this if anyone needs to replace theirs and wants to avoid the mistake I made. Pre LCI part 51169241714 (left in Pics) LCI part 51169277262 (right in Pics) Attached Images
	Appreciate 2 bquicksilver25.50 Darkshear154.00 Tweet Quote

08-10-2018, 04:32 PM	#2
TLK First Lieutenant 112 Rep 385 Posts Drives: '14 M5 CP, '12 550i, '04 545i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: SF Bay, CA iTrader: (0)	I've got one of each, since the '12 550i has the older one and the '14 M5 the newer one. I prefer the newer one because on the older one coins and crap can get stuck under the moving cupholder assembly and prevent the lid from latching closed or even stuck shut. The newer one cannot have this problem.
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08-10-2018, 05:45 PM	#3
bquicksilver Private First Class 26 Rep 125 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 - Alpine White CP Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Great post! Which one has deeper cups/wider openings? The cupholder is one of my (very few) gripes with my '14 M5. Mainly how you can't put wider drinks in without some odd angle due to those odd retention springs.
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08-10-2018, 10:25 PM	#5
TheHouseWon Colonel 644 Rep 2,039 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: SoCal iTrader: (10)	These were an afterthought for BMW
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08-11-2018, 08:22 AM	#6
technician117 Captain 251 Rep 606 Posts Drives: 2000 M5, 2001 M5, 2013 M5 6MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Buffalo iTrader: (1) Garage List 1990 BMW M5 [0.00] 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 2013 BMW M5 [0.00]	Cup holders are always an afterthought for BMW. At least these are stronger/better than the e39 abortion. I do like being able to bring my morning coffee on my commute to work if I'm running late, so I won't say "cup holders aren't needed in a car like this". But, I'm the type that limits any open containers in the car, especially by others who can't be trusted to protect from spilling as much as I do!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-11-2018, 07:29 PM	#7
TLK First Lieutenant 112 Rep 385 Posts Drives: '14 M5 CP, '12 550i, '04 545i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: SF Bay, CA iTrader: (0)	The older cup holder has a little more support higher up due to that funky moving plastic bar. Both take only the same size drinks, which is basically just a small water bottle, can or tapered drink/coffee cups.
	Appreciate 0 Quote