The instructions are in P/N 01 29 0 403 645. My scanner isn't working right now so I'm going to enter all of the steps here for E90/E91.
Parts information:
- Console Trim, P/N 51 16 7 118 054
- Eject Box, P/N 84 21 6 946 075
- Snap in Adapter, this is phone specific with different part number for each.
Installation:
- Disconnect battery prior to beginning installation
- Remove emergency brake boot
- Verify that eject box is P/N 84 21 6 946 075 and is marked with "TCU" lettering underneath coin tray and FAKRA antenna connector has a yellow band near connector. Note: eject box has a pair of cables with connectors, one large and flat, the other is the FAKRA connector.
Note: Correct eject box P/N 84 21 6 946 075 must be used to ensure proper functionality of snap-in adapters.
- Snap eject box into console trim piece 51 15 7 118 054, routing wiring through hole in trim piece
- Snap eject box and trim piece into center console. Route wiring from eject box [as shown]: cable through hole towards the front of the car and out through the emergency brake handle.
- Connect plug X4545 (large connector) to the plug and antenna plug X13322 on the plug for the eject box. These are underneath the console through the Emergency Brake hole and are held on with a plug connector holder. This holder can be seen and can be removed for ease of assembly.
- Clip the plug connectors into the plug connector holder
- Slide the plug connector holder into the odments box.
Steps 9-12 are only for E90 vehicles produced from 03/05-04/05:
- Remove left side trunk liner
- Locate wire bundle near left side wheel arch.
- Unwrap bundle. This reveals three cables. Two are coaxial.
- Locate coax cables. If cables are not connected together, connect them. It may be necessary to remove a grounding cap from one of the connector halves. Note: multi-pin connector is not used in this installation.
- Reconnect battery
No retrofit coding is required for this installation.
Broken1, the blank cradle you describe is the coin tray mentioned in step 3 above.
TrackJunkie, if you have the rubber tray you don't have the cradle/eject box and will need to do the above steps. The adapter costs about $130. The eject box and trim are probably another $150, judging from my invoice which is in Pounds Sterling.