[p912guy]

Originally Posted by msej449

Re. the 12v socket in-between the cupholders. This is where I put my rechargeable torch. BMW do one, part number [63 310 432 670] 'LED torch, rechargeable' or you can get them from Amazon. Really useful when you need one and makes sure that you have a working torch available all the time.

Pet peeve is that in the 'old days' you used to get a rechargeable torch included with the car (special socket, in the glove box). Plus you also used to get a useful storage net by the front passenger transmission tunnel, now also a retro-fit accessory [51 470 429 466] 'Storage net in foot well' See both below

I like the Parcel Net. I had that on my MINI Cooper and it was perfect for my umbrella. Do you know, does that come with the attachment hardware too?

[Maynard]

Thanks for including the part numbers. Best I could see was about $25 for the flashlight, so I'll stick with the one I keep in the dash cubby - not the dominant fashion statement of a bespoke BMW piece, but who will know in the dark.

[ny176]

Originally Posted by kern417

i'm thinking he means they are usually hidden or more recessed like in the center console or something.

This. On my previous E92 E90 and F32 they are all hidden in the ashtray, not exposed Actually in my F32 their is no lighter. Just the cap

[ny176]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

'What's up with that' is the lidded compartment just behind the 12v outlet you call a 'cigarette lighter' is an ashtray. Makes total sense to me!

You should have the actual 'cigarette lighter' and that lidded compartment in your car; they are standard in the U.S. EU and Canadian cars get a plastic plug for the 12v outlet and a rubber mat for the space taken up by the ashtray/compartment.

If you don't have the lighter/compartment, you need to see your dealer.

Like I mentioned, in my previous vehicles the cigarette lighter or 12v cap were all hidden inside the ashtray compartment. Not exposed out in the open. I get that the 2 series is a smaller car but maybe the engineers at BMW could of found a better spot for it. I do like the rechargeable flashlight idea. Definitely more useful for me.

[p912guy]

My M235i came with the ashtray so I purchased the rubber tray and deleted that ashtray and then also purchased a lighted USB 12V plug to replace the lighter, which adds some additional interior lighting at night.

[msej449]

@p912guy - The net comes with the fixing clips: I just punched a hole in the carpet with a bradawl and screwed them into the carpet. Mine comes with another pocket behind the main net, which the accessories catalogue shows carrying a high-vis jacket.

I agree the BMW rechargeable torch is pricey, I got a cheap one from Amazon for my other car and ended-up using it in the BMW, as it seemed to keep the charge better.

The observant will notice the black - as opposed to silver - base to the shift gaiter. I was going to replace it with the carbon fibre version, but that is so excessively expensive, I had a go at removing and re-spraying it matt black, to match the leather. And I wasn't sure the CF looked right anyway. Trim is High Gloss Black.

This is UK spec' trim. My Ray-Bans fit neatly into the tray above the 12V socket. As does my iPhone 6.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by ny176

Like I mentioned, in my previous vehicles the cigarette lighter or 12v cap were all hidden inside the ashtray compartment. Not exposed out in the open. I get that the 2 series is a smaller car but maybe the engineers at BMW could of found a better spot for it. I do like the rechargeable flashlight idea. Definitely more useful for me.

For you -- but in this day and age, not necessarily for everyone because of the proliferation of accessories that can be either powered or recharged via a 12v outlet, including:
- smartphones
- DMPs (Digital Music Players)
- GPS units (not all 2 Series come with Nav standard)
- smartphones running OBDII-based apps such as Torque, Dash Command, etc.
- air ionizers
- flashlights (as mentioned)
- smartphones, again
- a myriad other things

To wit: The most popular alternate accessory for that 12v outlet is likely not the U.S.-standard cigarette lighter. It's a USB charging plug like this OEM one:


For many, it's actually more convenient to have a 12v plug that isn't covered up for this stuff -- and that the 2 Series already has one that is covered in the center console means a second would probably be most useful to the most people if it wasn't. And, so, it isn't!

[BEM-S4]

This thread is bad I just ordered 3 new things I don't really need for the car.

[ny176]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

For you -- but in this day and age, not necessarily for everyone because of the proliferation of accessories that can be either powered or recharged via a 12v outlet, including:
- smartphones
- DMPs (Digital Music Players)
- GPS units (not all 2 Series come with Nav standard)
- smartphones running OBDII-based apps such as Torque, Dash Command, etc.
- air ionizers
- flashlights (as mentioned)
- smartphones, again
- a myriad other things

To wit: The most popular alternate accessory for that 12v outlet is likely not the U.S.-standard cigarette lighter. It's a USB charging plug like this OEM one:


For many, it's actually more convenient to have a 12v plug that isn't covered up for this stuff -- and that the 2 Series already has one that is covered in the center console means a second would probably be most useful to the most people if it wasn't. And, so, it isn't!

I like that option as well.
Come to think of it, I'd rather have a cap. Don't want to attract unwanted attention if I have something in plain view.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

For many, it's actually more convenient to have a 12v plug that isn't covered up for this stuff -- and that the 2 Series already has one that is covered in the center console means a second would probably be most useful to the most people if it wasn't. And, so, it isn't!

personally i share his sentiments. i leave my charger cables coiled up in the center console and pull them out to charge my phone and tuck them away when not in use. otherwise i will hardwire my accessories (radar detector) and tuck the wiring so it looks more clean. it doesn't bother me having it exposed as much but would be nice if it had a cap with a lower profile.

now i understand the placement in the cabin but i have never understood how we are starting to see them in trunks. would love to hear an explanation or feedback from people that commonly use that one.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by kern417

personally i share his sentiments. i leave my charger cables coiled up in the center console and pull them out to charge my phone and tuck them away when not in use. otherwise i will hardwire my accessories (radar detector) and tuck the wiring so it looks more clean. it doesn't bother me having it exposed as much but would be nice if it had a cap with a lower profile.

now i understand the placement in the cabin but i have never understood how we are starting to see them in trunks. would love to hear an explanation or feedback from people that commonly use that one.

We're not 'starting' to see them at all; it's been done for at least a generation. I remember them in more utilitarian vehicles like SUVs (Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Grand Cherokee, etc.) way back in the late 1980s because people would use the rear hatch area to run 12v accessories like air inflators, heaters, lamps, and the like. It was much more convenient than to leave the cabin doors open. 12v plugs in the trunk is simply a convenience feature.

[Mr Carrots]

As a new owner, these things annoy me already

1 - Nowhere to put my phone! A tray would be nice, lol.

2 - No phone casting, a phone cast + touchscreen will be the first upgrade I do if it's possible.

3 - Rolls foward when the parking brake is engaged! My wife's old Z4 did this crap too, why haven't BMW fixed it??

4 - The doors are clunky as hell - when I swing them open they don't lock in place like a luxury car, they either fling fully open or even worse they bounce back. WTF?

These have probably all been covered already but damn, I expected better

[jpnh]

I really hate how I always want to drive it

[Beartato]

Originally Posted by Mr Carrots

3 - Rolls foward when the parking brake is engaged! My wife's old Z4 did this crap too, why haven't BMW fixed it??

This drives me nuts too, but you'll get use to it.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Mr Carrots

As a new owner, these things annoy me already

1 - Nowhere to put my phone! A tray would be nice, lol.

2 - No phone casting, a phone cast + touchscreen will be the first upgrade I do if it's possible.

3 - Rolls foward when the parking brake is engaged! My wife's old Z4 did this crap too, why haven't BMW fixed it??

4 - The doors are clunky as hell - when I swing them open they don't lock in place like a luxury car, they either fling fully open or even worse they bounce back. WTF?

These have probably all been covered already but damn, I expected better

You can order a tray to replace the ash tray it's like $7.

[Mr Carrots]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You can order a tray to replace the ash tray it's like $7.

I didn't even register that the useless little storage space was an ashtray. Lmao at bmw offering a freaking ashtray as standard on a car in 2017, no wonder there's a cigarette lighter there.

Would have been nice to be able to have deleted that, the OEM open tray looks a bit too shallow to fit a galaxy edge or iphone plus though?

[p912guy]

You can order a tray to replace the ash tray it's like $7.

Plus $12 shipping and handling. I did this as one of my first mods and even with the over priced shipping it was worth it.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by p912guy

Plus $12 shipping and handling. I did this as one of my first mods and even with the over priced shipping it was worth it.

Get it from your dealer instead

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by msej449

Re. the 12v socket in-between the cupholders. This is where I put my rechargeable torch. BMW do one, part number [63 310 432 670] 'LED torch, rechargeable' or you can get them from Amazon. Really useful when you need one and makes sure that you have a working torch available all the time.

Pet peeve is that in the 'old days' you used to get a rechargeable torch included with the car (special socket, in the glove box). Plus you also used to get a useful storage net by the front passenger transmission tunnel, now also a retro-fit accessory [51 470 429 466] 'Storage net in foot well' See both below

I got that same LED light, same part number, and it does not work in that socket between the cup holders on my 2015. It does work in the power outlet behind the armrest/storage bin, and it does work in the front power outlet of my '03 Mini.

My cup holder power outlet does work, but just not with that LED flashlight. So I have a BMW USB charger in that outlet instead. Edit: the same charger that Viffermike posted above.

I don't even remember, but what was in that front power outlet from the factory? If it was a cover, I can't find it anymore, so I always leave the USB charger in there.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

To wit: The most popular alternate accessory for that 12v outlet is likely not the U.S.-standard cigarette lighter. It's a USB charging plug like this OEM one:


For many, it's actually more convenient to have a 12v plug that isn't covered up for this stuff -- and that the 2 Series already has one that is covered in the center console means a second would probably be most useful to the most people if it wasn't. And, so, it isn't!

This reminds me of one thing I hate about my 2 Series: the USB outlet in the storage console is low-powered for some reason. When I plug my LG Android phone in there to charge it, the phone screen says it's charging at low power, and it takes forever to charge. I have that same USB charger shown here in the power outlet between the cup holders, and that one charges the phone at full power.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

We're not 'starting' to see them at all; it's been done for at least a generation. I remember them in more utilitarian vehicles like SUVs (Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Grand Cherokee, etc.) way back in the late 1980s because people would use the rear hatch area to run 12v accessories like air inflators, heaters, lamps, and the like. It was much more convenient than to leave the cabin doors open. 12v plugs in the trunk is simply a convenience feature.

i guess it's just me then. i had an '02 malibu and it didn't have one. neither did my '03 outback, and that's about as rugged as vehicles get short of getting an suv/truck. it wasn't until i got into '09+ cars that i started seeing them and it never made sense. but i don't use the trunk much personally, i always just drop stuff in the passenger footwell or behind the passenger seat.

[Maynard]

FWIW, the cupholder one (the true lighter socket) has a high power rating. Recently blew the breaker on my rescue-flat air pump while topping the tires and freaked myself out that I'd be needing to find the fuse, but it was the pump breaker, not the socket that had quit (luckily the pump reset itself). Impressive that it can put out enough juice to overload the pump, but not very reassuring if I were actually needing to refill a dead tire.

I joke with my fellow luddites that I was sold on this car when I realized it had no digital speedo, a no-cost manual option, a KNOB for stereo volume, and both a cig lighter and ashtray. I don't smoke or have a MT, but was thinking those had all disappeared from the modern car (should have added 'cd player' but I'm still in denial about those going away).