[alansbigplate]

Hi,
Very pleased with the 2014 F31 335d I've recently purchased.
One thing I'm considering is swapping out the centre console with an LCI one as would prefer the sliding cover cup holders and it would also mean I could add a wireless phone charger at the same time.
Has anyone done this? Got any tips / advice?
Thanks!

[Danj94]

Originally Posted by alansbigplate

Hi,
Very pleased with the 2014 F31 335d I've recently purchased.
One thing I'm considering is swapping out the centre console with an LCI one as would prefer the sliding cover cup holders and it would also mean I could add a wireless phone charger at the same time.
Has anyone done this? Got any tips / advice?
Thanks!

I already have an LCI but I have fitted the wireless charger and it is very handy to have in the car with no cables on show to charge the phone. The charge rate isnt bad either.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by alansbigplate

Hi,
Very pleased with the 2014 F31 335d I've recently purchased.
One thing I'm considering is swapping out the centre console with an LCI one as would prefer the sliding cover cup holders and it would also mean I could add a wireless phone charger at the same time.
Has anyone done this? Got any tips / advice?
Thanks!

Have you seen this? https://www.rennline.com/wireless-in...rger-sku-pm70/

[thatgarrett]

Following this, I did some research a few month ago and saw some custom fit applications for pre LCI, seemed a little pricey but cleaner than the style mount mentioned above and would make use of space that otherwise feels a little wasted. Still didn’t get one or the other yet but am interested to see what you do

https://induktivcharging.com/product...reless-charger

[eff32fl]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Have you seen this? https://www.rennline.com/wireless-in...rger-sku-pm70/

I highly recommend this option. Rennline also offers a phone mount that this charger would mount to.

https://www.rennline.com/exactfit-ma...t-sku-pm01-19/

If you have an Android phone just get a Magsafe style case or you can mount any other wireless charger to it if you already have a cradle style charger etc. You just have to run a USB cable through the dash and down to the passenger footwell 12v adapter for power if you want to hide the cable. Definitely a clean solution. Personally I like this style of charger because you can still easily control your phone while you're at a stop light while it's charging, great for changing tracks etc.

There is also a Chinese made replacement console that has a built-in wireless charger like the style you're asking about the link is below. It is available from US retailers as well this is the first link that I could find. The top middle part of the cup holders toward the front (near the charger) has a shoddy build (looks like it melted a bit) and doesn't look OEM in that area so that would bother me personally.

https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...706799246.html

[alansbigplate]

Originally Posted by Danj94

I already have an LCI but I have fitted the wireless charger and it is very handy to have in the car with no cables on show to charge the phone. The charge rate isnt bad either.

Thanks. Which charger did you go for? Was it easy to fit? I'm a bit nervous about taking the console apart, I'm not the most practical person!

[alansbigplate]

Originally Posted by thatgarrett

Following this, I did some research a few month ago and saw some custom fit applications for pre LCI, seemed a little pricey but cleaner than the style mount mentioned above and would make use of space that otherwise feels a little wasted. Still didn’t get one or the other yet but am interested to see what you do

https://induktivcharging.com/product...reless-charger

That's a really good option, as you say, a bit pricey though (got to add shipping to UK too). Also not sure if the cup holder cover would fit, not that that's a big issue. Just need to decide how much I'd prefer to have the sliding cover over the cup holders. Think I'll live with the car for a bit and see...

[Zheez]

You don't need to swap out the whole centre console to get the LCI cup holders. It can be done with a bit of cutting.

I've done this to both my previous F30 and my current F30 which are both pre-LCI. It makes it look a lot fresher.

Here's what needed cutting. Before:



And after:



You're probably not far away from me so happy to help if you wanted any assistance.

[alansbigplate]

Thanks, may take you up on that! Looks great. Was the part easy to source? Can't see many for sale online.

[Zheez]

Yeah I got mine from Ebay. Just took a quick look, there's a couple there for around £45. Just searched for "f30 lci cupholder" (or f31 if you prefer - parts are the same and listings do have both f30 and f31 in) - there's a few listings that are just the cup holder part and you don't want that but there's a few with the entire trim part as well.

Personally I think it's worth it - I hated the removable cup holder tray from the original part and the 12v socket is in a more convenient location now too. Better pic in some better light:



You'd never know the car didn't originally come with it

[jcortez75]

This is great. I took the next step of adding a wireless charger to that empty space above the cupholders. Check it out here:

https://amzn.to/3VKyoAA

The part comes with all the wiring required to daisy chain to the cigarette wiring.

[jcortez75]

To top it off, completing the LCI package, I also added the lighting to the top center console:

https://amzn.to/3VFoBeN

[Wires]

Originally Posted by jcortez75

This is great. I took the next step of adding a wireless charger to that empty space above the cupholders. Check it out here:

https://amzn.to/3VKyoAA

The part comes with all the wiring required to daisy chain to the cigarette wiring.

I did one almost the same (from Aliexpress), but it won't charge a Pixel 6 phone that is streaming Android Auto. Phone does some "overheat charging limit" which drops charge current so far the charger just errors out.

[SuperLomi]

Originally Posted by jcortez75

To top it off, completing the LCI package, I also added the lighting to the top center console:

https://amzn.to/3VFoBeN

Whenever you find stuff like this, always check aliexpress. You'll usually find it for at least half the price, if not more. It's the same product. You'll often just have to wait a bit longer for it to arrive, as they usually, but not always, ship from china.

Example: I just paid $40 for shift paddles that US vendors sell for $140.

[LRW70]

I purchased the BimmerTech wireless charger and I am stumped as to how to get the drivemode switches out. They make it look so easy in the video. I have large hands and I have found it difficult to access the tab that hold the switches in place. Has anyone had a problem removing those swiches, I would be grateful for any suggestions.

[Zheez]

It is tricky, I had to get the gear surround out and then put finger through in the top corner to reach the top of the switch panel. The tab to remove it is there.

Might be easier with a pry tool or something to push in there I guess but it is definitely tricky.

[toxik]

a hooked pick tool would be best if you can’t use your fingers

[LRW70]

Thanks for the tips, I ended up taking off the gear shift and my mother in law has small hands 🤣 Mission accomplished!

[Sanjayo1]

I purchased the below for my F36 - been fine - check fitment for your vehicle though

￡28.49 55%OFF | Center console QI phone holder charge wireless charger For BMW F30 F31 F32 F33 F36 F34 3 series interior trim tuning accessories

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGY7IVB

[paul65k]

Originally Posted by jcortez75

This is great. I took the next step of adding a wireless charger to that empty space above the cupholders. Check it out here:

https://amzn.to/3VKyoAA

The part comes with all the wiring required to daisy chain to the cigarette wiring.

Very cool. I bought the same kit on AliExpress for $29 delivered to the USA