Cup or Cell Phone holder - E23....
 

Hi folks -

On my 728i, I have been driving it around more this year and it has been working out great.

One thing though that I would like is a bit more storage . Mainly for my cell phones and the like.
For my other cars, I have several of the ProCllip custom mounts installed. But the E23 is too old for a custom mount (either from ProClip or anyone else that I can see).

They make a generic console mount (here), but would like something a bit different....

The side of the console has a lip that stands proud of the shift platform that would/could hold something hanging off the edge - I think.
I have not been able to find one like that.

Anyone here have any ideas? I'd not like to have a permanent mount or even one that would clamp - as it would, over time, leave a mark I think.
I have enclosed a pic of the console in my car so you can see what I have to work with (yes, it is brown.. lol).

Thanks for your help....

I wonder if this would work?

https://www.patinahandle.com/product...HaLkmspHr7IwzI

We've ordered one for the 993.

Of course, the console might be too big to reach over in the E23. (Not officially listed as compatible, but they cover the E12/E24/E28.)

There are a bunch of threads on Rennlist regarding custom installs for cell phone holders. Most use a bent sheet metal part slotted between a couple of interior panels. That approach should work well with the e23 and be fully backwards compatible. Here are some good threads to check out if you want:
https://rennlist.com/forums/718-gts-...ne-holder.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-...arly-like.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-...ash-vents.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...nce-share.html

I don't have huge phones and have had good luck with Kenu. Phone never falls off, is nice and vertical. You do have to put it on and off carefully so you don't bend or damage the vents but it hasn't been a problem for me. It has fit every car we've had in the last four years, the 535i, the 340i, the Boxster, C's VW and the JGC.

Do you use the cigarette lighter port for anything other than giving the lighter a place to stay? There are plenty of mounts that plug into the port you could choose from

https://www.amazon.com/Amoner-Adjust...dp/B083SF9G5S/

Thanks for the links... I'll spend some time going through them.

For the cigarette lighter... The socket itself is not one that I would want to use for anything other the charger. The fit is loose and (I think) not very stable so don't want to put any kind of load there.

I was thinking of what would work and had an idea... (I get these ideas every so often - lol)
I have two friends who have additive manufacturing 'printers' - Might be able to have them make something for me. It could be a piece that sits on the edge of the console with provisions to mount something off the side that would hold my magnet mount that I use (from ProClip).

Will have to think about how that could work...

Again - thanks for the info...
(And I will have to do something with the E9 as well... I know... First world challenges... :) )

Depending on how/why the lighter fit is loose, it might be easy to reinforce or otherwise make it secure and stable, but maybe not. Thinking of some similar issues I had in older cars, could easily go either way.

If you have access to a 3d printer, it shouldn’t be too hard to make something.

Aren't the cigarette lighters in older BMW's a slightly different diameter than normal car lighter sockets?

In my 2002tii I could not plug in my Whistler radar detector. I had to cut an 12V extension cord and hard wire the female socket to power the detector.

your E9 should have the same issue

FWIW, we bought a 3D printer over the summer. So far, I haven’t designed anything, but have printed a few things, including a grocery bag hook for the Model 3.

I’ve seen a few things printed on commercial additive machines that 3D print in metal (on of my employer’s divisions makes these printers...). Amazing!