BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
      04-14-2019, 10:36 AM   #1
Sonny Crockett
Private
Sonny Crockett's Avatar
Sweden
45
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 640D X-drive M-sport
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Sweden

iTrader: (0)

USB in the armrest

Hello, the USB connection in my armrest is not functioning properly anymore. Is there anybody who can say how to remove it without dismantling the whole armrest and center console?

It doesn't matter if the current USB connection breaks in the process...

Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      04-14-2019, 11:14 AM   #2
Cincinnatus
First Lieutenant
United_States
123
Rep
396
Posts

Drives: 2013 M6
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Northeast PA

iTrader: (0)

You're going to have to remove the right panel of the center console (where the iDrive controller sits) to get to the USB port. These instructions from another member sent to me for installing a new display may help, Obviously, disregard the steps for the dash trim.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hugo_nz
Your install should go something like this:

1) disconnect battery negative terminal
2) move front seats all the way back and move backrests back as far as they can go
3) remove small carpet trim
4) remove side trim
5) remove dash centre trim/vents
6) remove idrive screen
7) remove climate panel
8) remove CIC unit
9) remove wood trim on centre console/gear surround
10) remove leather centre console cover
11) hook up wiring harness, route cables
12) install new screen
13) test
14) reassemble

Carpet trim: LINK

Side covers: LINK

Centre console wood trim (gear surround): LINK

Idrive controller trim: LINK

Dashboard centre trim (vents): LINK

Idrive Screen: LINK

Radio AC panel: LINK

CIC Unit: LINK

Challenges/Observations:
* Two of the T20 torx on the side trim can be a bit tough since you either have to peel back the plastic trim or remove it
* Routing cables under the center console carrier. Not so much a challenge as it is time consuming
* Cable management. While there is plenty of space behind the CIC you may still have to fiddle a bit to make everything fit. I found moving most of the cables to the glovebox side helped a great deal
* Cover all the leather surfaces. There are many sharp edges that may come in contact with them during this install and you don't want to ruin the leather.
* The original tape binding some of the cables together will have become sticky with age. Just wear gloves.
Appreciate 0
      04-14-2019, 12:03 PM   #3
Sonny Crockett
Private
Sonny Crockett's Avatar
Sweden
45
Rep
90
Posts

Drives: 640D X-drive M-sport
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Sweden

iTrader: (0)

Ok, thanks! That is very clear instructions...I hope do dare and try it myself..but thank you again!
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2019, 02:15 PM   #4
worthywow
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: 640D M Sport Conv. 2014 F12
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cincinnatus View Post
You're going to have to remove the right panel of the center console (where the iDrive controller sits) to get to the USB port. These instructions from another member sent to me for installing a new display may help, Obviously, disregard the steps for the dash trim.
Thanks for this info - really useful. I want to feed in a USB cable into the centre armrest so hopefully I can get away with just removing the trim - fingers crossed !
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2019, 02:55 PM   #5
hugo_nz
Lieutenant Colonel
hugo_nz's Avatar
3120
Rep
1,795
Posts

Drives: BMW iX Xdrive40 MSport
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2022 BMW IX  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by worthywow View Post
Thanks for this info - really useful. I want to feed in a USB cable into the centre armrest so hopefully I can get away with just removing the trim - fingers crossed !
What are you connecting the USB cable to on the car side? The wood trim around the gearshift is simple enough to remove. As per my instructions above you can remove the driver side carpet strip on the transmission tunnel and then the couple of screws holding the wood trim down. This will expose the centre console carrier can the connector for the USB and aux in the arm rest.
Appreciate 1
      07-20-2019, 03:54 PM   #6
worthywow
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: 640D M Sport Conv. 2014 F12
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I'll be connecting a phone holder to a mount on the front panel and then connecting the USB cable to the USB port.

https://www.brodit.co.uk/brodit/hold...e+9/721069.htm

Name:  1.jpg
Views: 1252
Size:  60.9 KB

I've used these Brodit holders for several years now - really expensive but they are precision engineered and well made so worth the investment.

Thanks for your tip - sounds like it might be easier than I thought !
Appreciate 0
      07-20-2019, 10:15 PM   #7
hugo_nz
Lieutenant Colonel
hugo_nz's Avatar
3120
Rep
1,795
Posts

Drives: BMW iX Xdrive40 MSport
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2022 BMW IX  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by worthywow View Post
I'll be connecting a phone holder to a mount on the front panel and then connecting the USB cable to the USB port.

https://www.brodit.co.uk/brodit/hold...e+9/721069.htm

Attachment 2103408

I've used these Brodit holders for several years now - really expensive but they are precision engineered and well made so worth the investment.

Thanks for your tip - sounds like it might be easier than I thought !
Ah ok. You'll need a long cable :-) for the cleanest install you could run the cable behind the climate panel and down along the centre console to the arm rest.

Which version of iDrive is fitted? CIC, NBT or EVO?
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2019, 01:27 AM   #8
worthywow
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: 640D M Sport Conv. 2014 F12
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I've got NBT. Just checked and the cable length is 143cm so should be enough :-)
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2019, 03:08 AM   #9
hugo_nz
Lieutenant Colonel
hugo_nz's Avatar
3120
Rep
1,795
Posts

Drives: BMW iX Xdrive40 MSport
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2022 BMW IX  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by worthywow View Post
I've got NBT. Just checked and the cable length is 143cm so should be enough :-)
Yes, BUT you can also connect a USB directly to the back of the NBT unit in the 2nd USB port :-)

I did this after I replaced my CIC unit with NBT. Both USB ports offer identical functionality.
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2019, 03:42 AM   #10
worthywow
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: 640D M Sport Conv. 2014 F12
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

That sounds like a very elegant solution Is it a standard Type A USB port ?

My only concern is there are a lot of steps to getting the NBT unit out - will just need to pluck up some courage !!
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2019, 03:47 AM   #11
worthywow
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: 640D M Sport Conv. 2014 F12
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

One question - I've done similar things on Volvo's and Merc's in the past and the clips were a big fragile when removing panels so had to replace a few clips (or live with a slightly wobbly panel !) How robust are the BMW ones ?
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2019, 04:10 AM   #12
hugo_nz
Lieutenant Colonel
hugo_nz's Avatar
3120
Rep
1,795
Posts

Drives: BMW iX Xdrive40 MSport
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2022 BMW IX  [0.00]
The side panels are a mix of screw, slide clip and tension clips and they are pretty durable. I'd say a bigger concern is frequent screwing/unscrewing of screws into the plastic carriers etc.
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2019, 04:13 AM   #13
hugo_nz
Lieutenant Colonel
hugo_nz's Avatar
3120
Rep
1,795
Posts

Drives: BMW iX Xdrive40 MSport
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2022 BMW IX  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by worthywow View Post
That sounds like a very elegant solution Is it a standard Type A USB port ?

My only concern is there are a lot of steps to getting the NBT unit out - will just need to pluck up some courage !!
You need something like this: https://emtronika.com/index.php/product/bmw-cic-nbt-glovebox-usb-cable-with-socket-100cm/

Removing the iDrive is actually really easy.
Pull off the wood trim on the dash (no screws)
4 screws on the climate panel
4 screws on the iDrive
Pull it out

Easy :-)
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2019, 04:33 AM   #14
worthywow
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: 640D M Sport Conv. 2014 F12
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by hugo_nz View Post
You need something like this: https://emtronika.com/index.php/prod...-socket-100cm/

Removing the iDrive is actually really easy.
Pull off the wood trim on the dash (no screws)
4 screws on the climate panel
4 screws on the iDrive
Pull it out

Easy :-)
You've talked me into it !

Looking where to buy the cable I saw this which looks like it should do the job and is a bit cheaper

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-CIC-N...-/162643258706

Will feedback once I've given it a go !
Appreciate 0
      07-21-2019, 05:31 AM   #15
hugo_nz
Lieutenant Colonel
hugo_nz's Avatar
3120
Rep
1,795
Posts

Drives: BMW iX Xdrive40 MSport
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2022 BMW IX  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by worthywow View Post
You've talked me into it !

Looking where to buy the cable I saw this which looks like it should do the job and is a bit cheaper

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-CIC-N...-/162643258706

Will feedback once I've given it a go !
Yup that cable should work fine. At worst you may need to shave off one of the ridges but that's not a biggie..

I salvaged the glovebox USB from the CIC system when I did the NBT retrofit and mounted it in the cupholder

Appreciate 0
      07-21-2019, 05:45 AM   #16
worthywow
New Member
0
Rep
10
Posts

Drives: 640D M Sport Conv. 2014 F12
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Neat ! I've not got a USB in the glovebox so have splashed out on the cable on ebay!
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:57 PM.




6post.com
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST