http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...=735489&page=2
Originally Posted by Hen49
How safely remove phone cradle.
1. Move forward front seats to max. Easy 10min job. I use 2 flathead screwdriver mid & small.
2. Start right bottom of back panel center console (with cigarette lighter).
3. Release snap clips (vertical grove) there are 3 clips on both side.
4. Slide forward the center armrest.
5. Pull back panel center console upward.
6. From right side push axle-pin.
7. From left side pull pin like 4 inch don't remove it.
8. Open cubby and remove phone cradle.
9. Reverse process.
Done.
One more cover hole inside cubby use thin cardboard or plastic + super glue.
Maybe some made few pics and better description how remove back panel of center console.
It took me over an hour, but mainly because I struggled on disconnecting the wires. Removing the back cover was no problem using a flat screwdriver to start the process. I used a nail set and a mallet hammer to start pushing the axle pin toward the drivers seat.
Removing the blue/pink cable was no problem since the release lever was fairly obvious. Removing the pink/black cable was difficult until I found that I had to remove the pink cover in the photo below. I pried it out with a flat screwdriver. The release is under this cover.