[iconoclast]

Regarding vehicles with Captain's chairs; is it possible to swap the second row HVAC trim & floor cup holders with the trim found on the bench seat equipped vehicles?

[kdesign7]

I am 99% positive that can't be done. the cup holders are in the middle section of the bench seat, Not on the floor as with captains chairs. That was a factor for me as well. The cup holders on the floor I didn't like.

[iconoclast]

I do not want or need the cup holders. I just want to delete the tray on the floor. It looks cheap and have no use for it.

[jmciver]

Looks like a straight forward swap. Although, you may have some holes in the carpet where the cup holders were originally installed by the factory. But it looks like you could take everything apart pretty easily before purchasing any new parts to see what the carpet will look like without the cup holders though.

Parts: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=51_A292

Remove/Install Procedure: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...les/1VndigeYl1

RealOEM.com (for researching parts & part numbers) and newts.info (for factory BMW repair procedures) will be your best sources of info for projects like this .

[iconoclast]

Thanks for the assist on this one. I was concerned about mounting points because the holder itself does not feel like it is simply laying on top of the carpet but mounted into it. If it involves swapping carpets then this "mod" falls to the bottom of the "to-do" list unless the carpet has enough nap/shag to cover the mounting points.

[Bogey4me]

It's one of the reasons we went with the bench seat. I thought that cup holder looked cheap.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Thanks for the assist on this one. I was concerned about mounting points because the holder itself does not feel like it is simply laying on top of the carpet but mounted into it. If it involves swapping carpets then this "mod" falls to the bottom of the "to-do" list unless the carpet has enough nap/shag to cover the mounting points.

No problem with the assist ....

Looking a bit deeper in the parts catalog, I think there may actually be a metal bracket as well. The bracket mounts to the floor and center console. The cup holders then mount to the metal bracket. Taking a peak under the cup holders should tell you the carpet situation.

If there are any carpet holes or gaps due to the factory cup holder option, one viable option could be to get a good 2nd row floor mat. I believe both OEM and aftermarket options use a single piece mat design for the bench configuration. As long as the holes/gaps are not too big, they will covered by the floor mat.

[760Lifan]

Originally Posted by Bogey4me

It's one of the reasons we went with the bench seat. I thought that cup holder looked cheap.

+1

I also did not like the plastic on the back of the captain's chairs...

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Bogey4me

It's one of the reasons we went with the bench seat. I thought that cup holder looked cheap.

Selling point: Snowboards & Surfboards down the center without roof box or rack. The Captain's chair appear to go further down to the floor than the bench but nothing is as flat as the LR4. Best cargo layout and capacity of all the vehicles I have owned.

Originally Posted by jmciver

I believe both OEM and aftermarket options use a single piece mat design for the bench configuration. As long as the holes/gaps are not too big, they will covered by the floor mat.

Good call... if there is one piece carpet solution it would hide any imperfections. Ideally I would want an OEM finish without holes or traces of modification but unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world when it comes to cars and our idiosyncrasies.

[Wild Blue]

I'm very curious if someone ends up trying this. I too think the captain's chairs floor piece looks a little bit cheap. I'd prefer if a upgraded piece got fabricated, instead of deleting the thing, but am open.

[iconoclast]

I was contemplating a second option of having it wrapped in matching leather or something other than the textured plastic it is.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

I was contemplating a second option of having it wrapped in matching leather or something other than the textured plastic it is.

You might not want to have it wrapped in real leather as that cup holder will most likely get hit/scuffed by feet - especially if you have kids (or clumsy adults ). However, getting it wrapped with a vinyl material that is more cosmetically pleasing sounds like a good and cost effective way to change up the look (and protect the factory part from scuffs). The number and color of wrapping materials available on the market now is ridiculous which means you should be able to find one to match your tastes - and it will be completely removable if/when you decide to trade in/sell the vehicle....

Color matching could be a challenge depending on your interior if you desire something other than black.... https://www.metrorestyling.com/Leath...m-s/144182.htm

[iconoclast]

I have a yard of textured leather that matches the L320 Range Rover Sport SC door card leather from custom door panels I did on my RRS-SC back in the day. It has been skived and ready for install. I was contemplating using that or matching to seat leather but you may have a point. This leather seems like it would hold up well but perhaps a few kicks, road salt/sand and other factors may make it worse than the original piece. Perhaps that is why it is plastic to begin with.

[iconoclast]

It appears Vilner and I had similar train of thought.



https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/01/28/v...ded-by-vilner/

[Jefflikescars]

Still sorta regret not getting the bench, but Tartufo....

[iconoclast]

I don't have any regrets but if I were to do it again I think I would go with the bench for the extra leg room even though I lose the cut-out for snowboards or surfboards without having to put a portion of the seat down.

[Specularius]

I have seen a picture, not sure where, but there is a large cutout of the carpet under the captain's chair cup holder that has the support bracket. Would have to do something to cover that large cut out.

[iconoclast]

That is the information I was looking for. Looks wrapping may be the way to go. Thank you!

[Wild Blue]

Yeah, I posted that Vilner mod in a separate thread. If we can get them to offer it as a mod that can be shipped and self-installed, or installed by a shop that does interior work, I think many of us would go for it. Think that would look good in black.

[OtisX7]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

I don't have any regrets but if I were to do it again I think I would go with the bench for the extra leg room even though I lose the cut-out for snowboards or surfboards without having to put a portion of the seat down.

Agreed 100%. Really wish I’d gone bench. It’s one of the few reasons I’d consider an upgrade to my X7 fairly soon. Otherwise love the car. Waiting for a better excuse — if they release a true M version, I’d probably be in; or if they release the M60i with the V12, I’d be in for that too. And a bench seat. But I’d probably go with the very same color (carbon black) and shadow line trim etc. for the same look. Otherwise just love the car.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

Think that would look good in black.

Same here. Match it to the same color as the dashboard and do the alcantara the same color as the headliner.

Originally Posted by OtisX7

It’s one of the few reasons I’d consider an upgrade to my X7 fairly soon.

I may trade it in for a new X5M but not making any decision until I see it in person and drive it.

[Crimsonboz]

I’m having a local guy cover the cup holder part in Leather.

It will be a bit, but once it’s done I’ll post up. Should be straight forward he didn’t seem concerned.