'98 318i Sedan Cup Holders....suck - BMW Forum

Cook_Enterprises · 06-24-2009, 04:17 PM

Hey, I just became a proud BMW owner last weekend. I bought a 1998 318i Sedan (E36). I love driving it, I love the look of it, the one thing I don't love...the cup holders. They don't hold a can of Diet Coke or a McDonald's sweet tea, which are my drinks of choice.
I searched this forum and googled and found some aftermarket options, but nothing really satifactory, as I don't want a drink holder down at my feet, I don't want lights in my cup holders

, and I don't want to hang anything from my window. Is there a replacement console with larger or more secure cup holders?

Thanks,
-Steve (Cook_Enterprises)

jmo69 · 06-26-2009, 08:55 PM

You're pretty much stuck with them, I had an idea to adapt a folding one like I had on my old boat. But couldn't find any locally. It was similar to an expensive one that Bavauto has. BMW Parts and BMW Accessories | Bavarian Autosport

Cook_Enterprises · 06-28-2009, 11:32 PM

I went to an RV Outlet store yesterday and they had cupholder inserts, that fit my 318i console perfectly! I will send pictures when I get back from vacation in two weeks. Bonus, they look like they look OEM to me.

84bmw318i · 06-29-2009, 01:05 AM

yeah i have a 91 318ic and have no cupholders.

fatathaland · 07-10-2009, 02:56 AM

I guess you didn't know this, but I will fill you in: BMW have engineers devoted to designing the most elaborately useless cup holders available on any car at the time of release.

Torque · 07-10-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatathaland

I guess you didn't know this, but I will fill you in: BMW have engineers devoted to designing the most elaborately useless cup holders available on any car at the time of release.

No, it's just that everywhere else in the world, people don't drive around with a huge jug of whatever ... so the cupholders are pretty much an afterthought just so they can say they exist.

The rest of the world, however, smokes while driving. That's why a BMW has, on average, about 4 ashtrays.

BimmerE39 · 07-10-2009, 05:24 PM

Copholders are an after thought to BMW. In fact, they don't really exist in Europe at all.

84bmw318i · 07-11-2009, 12:29 AM

Drink at home drive in your car.

bmwinsider · 07-13-2009, 07:44 AM

I know it sounds werid, but go to the hardware store and use a pvc pipe reducer you can shave it down or go as big as you want , put a bean (sand ) bag in the bottom to keep it there I know alot of people that do that. Other than that drive the bmw with spirit and drink afterwards.