Armrest different for cars w/ and w/o Bluetooth?

BiscottiGelato · 05-14-2010, 01:55 PM

I was browsing around RealOEM and notice that there are 2 versions of the armrest? 1 have pre-shaped holes inside the armrest, greatly limiting what you can store there, while the other is just a big empty space so you can actually put stuff there? Is the other one for cars without bluetooth? I'd like that way more...

Here's what I'm talking about

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...69&hg=51&fg=95

Bimmer-Bob · 05-14-2010, 01:57 PM

I don't have Bluetooth and have the 1 big space in my armrest. Is the other armrest maybe for the smartphone integration? It looks like it might support the phone adapters the dealers sell.

perral1 · 05-14-2010, 01:59 PM

There's a retrofit for the one on the right here:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216944

Based on that thread, the one on the right is the European armrest, while the one on the left is the one we get in the US.

Bimmer-Bob · 05-14-2010, 02:22 PM

My car is US-spec and has the big bin.

BiscottiGelato · 05-14-2010, 02:25 PM

Perral1, thx for the link.

Just searched getbmwparts.com... it's $275 if I want to change to the Euro one.... expensive given that what I really want to change is just the inside of the armrest, which is all plastic...

rsjean · 05-14-2010, 02:41 PM

Mine has the 2 compartment bin.

jeremyc74 · 05-14-2010, 03:07 PM

Every US spec car I've seen had the two small bins. If there are cars in the US with the larger one, it's been a running change.

I'd like to have the larger one myself. Plugging the phone in would be nice, but I'm not going to buy an iPhone so it doesn't matter.

KingOfJericho · 05-14-2010, 03:14 PM

I really don't understand the shapes in the armrest. The cutout looks perfectly shaped for a cocktail shaker or something... Why not a hollow compartment?

bch92 · 05-14-2010, 04:29 PM

Does anyone know how to take the insert out of the armrest so I can install a phone adapter?

Elsabor67 · 05-14-2010, 04:36 PM

I'm asking the dealer on monday when I go. I prefer the big bin instead of the one with 2 slots like I have now.

Dackelone · 05-14-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Every US spec car I've seen had the two small bins. If there are cars in the US with the larger one, it's been a running change.

I'd like to have the larger one myself. Plugging the phone in would be nice, but I'm not going to buy an iPhone so it doesn't matter.

I am pretty sure my 2010 135i (Jan 2010 production) has the bigger/one tray bin. My car is US specs.

My car is kind of basic (but thats the way I wanted it!), only options are: Metalic paint, M-Sport pak, sold weather pak, USB/Ipod & of course 6MT.

JimD · 05-14-2010, 07:22 PM

My 2009 vert was built in early June 2009 and has the large compartment. I was under the impression the 2008 and early 2009s has the two bin arrangement and the later 2009 and beyond models have the one bin. But maybe it is more complicated than that.

The big bin is large enough to hold CDs.

Jim

BiscottiGelato · 05-14-2010, 07:31 PM

Man, makes me want the big bin even more... but the price is quite steep for what's essentially a change of a piece of plastic....

ianc · 05-14-2010, 07:44 PM

I'm probably wrong, but I was under the impression the two-compt. bin came with bluetooth, since it was assumed you'd want to purchase the dippy $$$ custom cell-phone charging tray to replace the receptacle on the right?

ianc

04Enthusiast · 05-14-2010, 10:28 PM

My 2008 128i had the two compartment and my new 2011 128i has the one compartment bin. Neither have Bluetooth.

05-14-2010, 01:55 PM	#1
BiscottiGelato Captain 89 Rep 812 Posts Drives: 09 135i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: GVA iTrader: (2)	Armrest different for cars w/ and w/o Bluetooth? I was browsing around RealOEM and notice that there are 2 versions of the armrest? 1 have pre-shaped holes inside the armrest, greatly limiting what you can store there, while the other is just a big empty space so you can actually put stuff there? Is the other one for cars without bluetooth? I'd like that way more... Here's what I'm talking about http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...69&hg=51&fg=95
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05-14-2010, 01:57 PM	#2
Bimmer-Bob ! 701 Rep 3,268 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anacortes, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2024 Ford Bronco (U ... [0.00] 2010 BMW 128i (E82) [9.25]	I don't have Bluetooth and have the 1 big space in my armrest. Is the other armrest maybe for the smartphone integration? It looks like it might support the phone adapters the dealers sell. __________________ ____________________________ My Build Thread
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05-14-2010, 01:59 PM	#3
perral1 Private First Class 1 Rep 135 Posts Drives: '11 135i Vert DCT LMB/Blk Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: TX iTrader: (0)	There's a retrofit for the one on the right here: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216944 Based on that thread, the one on the right is the European armrest, while the one on the left is the one we get in the US.
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05-14-2010, 02:22 PM	#4
Bimmer-Bob ! 701 Rep 3,268 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anacortes, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2024 Ford Bronco (U ... [0.00] 2010 BMW 128i (E82) [9.25]	My car is US-spec and has the big bin. __________________ ____________________________ My Build Thread
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05-14-2010, 02:25 PM	#5
BiscottiGelato Captain 89 Rep 812 Posts Drives: 09 135i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: GVA iTrader: (2)	Perral1, thx for the link. Just searched getbmwparts.com... it's $275 if I want to change to the Euro one.... expensive given that what I really want to change is just the inside of the armrest, which is all plastic...
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05-14-2010, 02:41 PM	#6
rsjean satch 39 Rep 1,040 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sonoran Desert, Tucson AZ iTrader: (3)	Mine has the 2 compartment bin. __________________ "The Dingo ate your Mustang"
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05-14-2010, 03:07 PM	#7
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	Every US spec car I've seen had the two small bins. If there are cars in the US with the larger one, it's been a running change. I'd like to have the larger one myself. Plugging the phone in would be nice, but I'm not going to buy an iPhone so it doesn't matter.
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05-14-2010, 03:14 PM	#8
KingOfJericho Major General 2452 Rep 7,341 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [5.26]	I really don't understand the shapes in the armrest. The cutout looks perfectly shaped for a cocktail shaker or something... Why not a hollow compartment? __________________ The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi \| 2010 S4 Sold \| 2010 BMW 135i Retired \| 2006 Lotus Exige Sold
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05-14-2010, 04:29 PM	#9
bch92 Private 9 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 2008 128i, 2006 325xi, 2007 X3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Does anyone know how to take the insert out of the armrest so I can install a phone adapter?
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05-14-2010, 04:36 PM	#10
Elsabor67 aiming for 450..... 304 Rep 2,910 Posts Drives: Totaled :-( Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Louisiana iTrader: (28) Garage List 2009 135i [10.00]	I'm asking the dealer on monday when I go. I prefer the big bin instead of the one with 2 slots like I have now. __________________ Quote from Ezeedee regarding car mods: "you're only done when you sell the car "
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05-14-2010, 07:22 PM	#12
JimD Brigadier General 369 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	My 2009 vert was built in early June 2009 and has the large compartment. I was under the impression the 2008 and early 2009s has the two bin arrangement and the later 2009 and beyond models have the one bin. But maybe it is more complicated than that. The big bin is large enough to hold CDs. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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05-14-2010, 07:31 PM	#13
BiscottiGelato Captain 89 Rep 812 Posts Drives: 09 135i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: GVA iTrader: (2)	Man, makes me want the big bin even more... but the price is quite steep for what's essentially a change of a piece of plastic....
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05-14-2010, 07:44 PM	#14
ianc Ex '87 Carrera 248 Rep 1,259 Posts Drives: '10 TiAg 6MT 135i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Redwood Shores, California iTrader: (0)	I'm probably wrong, but I was under the impression the two-compt. bin came with bluetooth, since it was assumed you'd want to purchase the dippy $$$ custom cell-phone charging tray to replace the receptacle on the right? ianc __________________ "I will tell you there is a big difference between driving money and driving blood, sweat and tears." - PorscheGuy79 "I got 328 loaner and was impressed with performance. It feels much faster than my 135i." - MOCKBA
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05-14-2010, 10:28 PM	#15
04Enthusiast Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 216 Posts Drives: BMW 128i Cpe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Omaha Nebraska iTrader: (1)	My 2008 128i had the two compartment and my new 2011 128i has the one compartment bin. Neither have Bluetooth.
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