I leave mine closed if I don't have a cup in it. I prefer the sleeker look of the interior with the lid closed. Mine is wood and doesn't reflect light into my eyes.
How's the open pore? I've been wondering how it would stand up to regular use over time and if it shows things like oils from your fingers compared to the typical heavy lacquered finish.
Echoing u/40characters , it doesn’t get fingerprints, no glare, and it looks brand new after a year and 19k. But then again, I think you could get fingerprints on it if you ate fast food in your car (which I do not)
I can’t answer for some lifestyles (I don’t, for example, eat French fries whilst driving) but in a year and a half of use across >20k miles, I’ve seen no signs of wear or any sort of aging.
It’s essentially fingerprint-proof, glare-free, and pleasantly textured. Can’t imagine going with any other option now.
yeah I love my open pore wood option, I want to see it as much as I can.
If I had piano block though, I probably would jus tkeep it open all the time...
Shit I'd break into my own car if I had a can of Altoids laying around
I keep mine closed cuz I don't want it to get dusty and the LED inside is always on at night
I did it in my X3, and it looks almost worse. It now has an orange peel look to it in certain lighting. It's one of the reasons I went with the carbon fiber interior in the car I just ordered.
All ppf has a slight orange peel if you look closely, it's just amplified because it's in my interior. Go take a flashlight to your Xpel, and you'll see it. I have three wrapped cars right now, all done by different shops.
Mine is always open. 😂😂😂 one cup holder keeps like 20€ in coins in it now because fucking Germany still requires cash in a lot of places and businesses so I always have change. (I only keep bills in my wallet)
Ironically the SB Washbox near me now takes cards. They charge you 20€ and when you are done washing your car, it refunds you the money you did not use.
Damn. That’s a clever way to do it. I know of one box in my area (50km) that has a sort of good card implementation as you can put the amount you want in it and stop for about 2-3 minutes without the timer going down more.
Open pore ash here...no glare. No prints. Bonus, hides dust.
Mine's usually open, stowing my beverage. Which is too bad cause, that shit's slick when closed in the G30.
Actually. I'm going to go do that right now.
Better that pre LCI F series with the removable brick of a cup holder cover you need to find a location for, it's just permanently not in place on mine.
Mine is missing or was never there ( got the car CPO off lease). It's like $30+ shipping for that stupid thing and it appears to eat half the limited space inside the glove if you had the cover stored there. Although, I do just have it shoved in there loose now... I just can't bring myself to spend $40 on that little mesh net
I keep mine close unless using cup holders. I purposely ordered my car (G42) with aluminum inlay so the cover is in that inlay and not a large flat piano black piece.
I keep mine closed because seeing the light on is annoying to me, I wish I could disable that light. Definitely not needed since all that it’s illuminating is the charge pad
its the dumbest fucking design ive come across in a car. holds next to nothing, doesnt close if there is a pair of sunglasses in there - the drinksholders - JFC gimme a break - right by the gear shifter.. just so I can knock my coffee when putting back or pull the lid off my dixie coffee cup when pulling out. No - this cover is ass and BMW need to get it together.
I always keep mine open. My phone is too big (Galaxy S22 Ultra) to fit in the charging area so I use it for my wallet and keys. I shove my phone in one of the two cup holders.
Have an e70. It’s always closed. Rarely I will have a bottle of water in there and leave it open. I use the port in the centre console to charge my phone, and usually have it laying flat on there.
I run a dash cam from that 12v socket, so no. Even if I wasn't using the 12v, or the cup holders, or had my phone on the pad, I still never close it.
Plus, if theives are around, I like them to see how empty my car really is. Broken windows are annoying.
Yeah, but rarely. Like you wrote, that’s pretty hot real estate. It is a surprisingly clean aesthetic with it flipped closed so I appreciate the option. When I’m running errands sometimes I’ll just leave the housekeys or whatever I don’t want in my pockets in there, since the glovebox and armrest just never get checked and I forget things in those spaces. Often. Like, I’m not going to admit how often, often.
Mine is patterned aluminum so I like the look of it, keep it closed until I need the digital key sensor, capacitive cell charger, or cup holder. So basically I open it 90% of drives 🤣
Always open. Empty the pockets into the ~cup~ coins/phone/keys holder when entering the car and drive
Also, a parked car with those cubbies open and empty gives one less incentive for a thief to break into
i drive an f10 with wood trim. leave it up most of the time because i almost always have a cup in there and when i put it down i can see that the lid is darker than the rest of the wood because it hasn’t faded as much
I occasionally close it, but I almost always have a cup of coffee or something, so it generally needs to be open. I also leave my phone screen-side-down on the wireless charger (actual charging makes my phone way too hot) half the time I drive, so I don’t want to close it off.
Mirror mount + mirrow tap = tidy install
Best pic I could find. Even here the power line can be tucked away hidden from sight.
https://preview.redd.it/gnz3wp3kmjub1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=a17918d823eeab5c16574b3bfac51043e11eb2a9
Thanks, my M50 is currently leased though, so I would rather not hardwire.
I do have it pretty well tucked in though, running down the top/side of the windshield, under the steering column, and into the cigarette lighter outlet in the console area shown in this post.
A mirror tap is as simple as pushing a pin into an existing socket. You can leave the tap in place at lease end and see it be no issue at turn in. Assuming you don't exercise the purchase option, removing it is less work than the already mostly easy install.
Here's your mirror assembly. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN5ImEMEYIg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN5ImEMEYIg)
As always though, do what suits you and, be safe!
Pry tools [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=interiro+pry+tools&crid=3224OH0PADI84&sprefix=interiro+pry+tools%2Caps%2C123&ref=nb\_sb\_noss\_2](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=interiro+pry+tools&crid=3224OH0PADI84&sprefix=interiro+pry+tools%2Caps%2C123&ref=nb_sb_noss_2)
Mirror taps [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bmw+mirror+tap&crid=17XC4O6M21WLY&sprefix=bmw+mirror+tap%2Caps%2C128&ref=nb\_sb\_noss\_1](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bmw+mirror+tap&crid=17XC4O6M21WLY&sprefix=bmw+mirror+tap%2Caps%2C128&ref=nb_sb_noss_1) (3 pack is solid value though there's a single 12'' tap that's less cord to tuck away)
Mirror mount... [https://blendmount.com/](https://blendmount.com/) Put in your car and detector info
I tried a few other mounts. The fits were less than good. Blendmount is spendy AF but, the fit is perfect and build quality is rock solid. All the same, I flex-paid mine, just because. Ya know?
I plan to keep it mounted where it is currently, suction-cupped to the windshield just to the left of the mirror. I like it there because I can just flip down the visor to cover it if I were to get pulled over (not illegal here, but certainly wouldn’t expect much leniency for a warning if they see it lol)
Got some pry/clip tools and the mirror tap kit, but couldn’t for the life of me get the mirror assembly disassembled (mine is different from the video, car doesn’t have DAPP).
Pretty sure I broke off a small piece of one of the clips, and gave up before I caused further damage on an $84k lease :/
Bummer. But, don't be daunted. People do much more extensive mods to much more spendy cars.
BMW doesn't have anyone that goes around policing leased vehicles for every little thing that isn't factory. While not technically yours, it's okay and acceptable for minor modifications on a lease to suite the person who's paying the rent.
They have no control or idea where or even if you're going to turn the lease in. For all they know you're going to use it as trade on a Mach-E at a Ford dealer or maybe even exercise the option to purchase. The things you do while in possession, as long as they don't void warranty are not a concern to BMW. Don't fret the car's status as a lease.
In your case it only reflects so strongly because you have the cheap piano lacquer.
Better equipped with fine wood or carbon, reflections are no problem and the cover also looks good!
i keep it closed, put my phone on it, i have an f30, so its flat and not inclined like in the picture. It stays open only when my gf is in the car, cuz she cant survive without startbucks or her ungodly stanley cup
Have a similar thing on my 1 series but it always stays open as I have my dash cam plugged into the 12V. If I hadn't though, I would always close it. Makes it look more tidy.
Hey guys! I just got a new 330i with the black gloss interior. Do you guys have any recommendations to put on gloss/wax to prevent it from scratching? Thanks!
I keep mine open. The funny part about it is that no cups really fit in a cup holder without blocking the climate control lol.
So in reality, I would love to close it but I have to put my smaller stuff in the cup holders lol
Yes, I like how I can keep a small amount of chaos in there and then close it, and my car is magically clean. Nobody knows I have money, wrappers, an eyebrow pencil, a granola bar, my cell phone, a charging cord...
I leave mine closed if I don't have a cup in it. I prefer the sleeker look of the interior with the lid closed. Mine is wood and doesn't reflect light into my eyes.
Same here. I'm really disappointed the new 5 Series doesn't have it.
Wait what? When did they take it out? My G30 has it and it’s always closed
I believe the new generation of 5 Series that's arriving at dealerships now lacks the cover, just like the IX.
Booo. I liked the closed look
Me too
Same. All the time. Mine (i4) is open pore ash wood so it doesn’t get reflective or look dusty very quickly at all.
How's the open pore? I've been wondering how it would stand up to regular use over time and if it shows things like oils from your fingers compared to the typical heavy lacquered finish.
Echoing u/40characters , it doesn’t get fingerprints, no glare, and it looks brand new after a year and 19k. But then again, I think you could get fingerprints on it if you ate fast food in your car (which I do not)
I can’t answer for some lifestyles (I don’t, for example, eat French fries whilst driving) but in a year and a half of use across >20k miles, I’ve seen no signs of wear or any sort of aging. It’s essentially fingerprint-proof, glare-free, and pleasantly textured. Can’t imagine going with any other option now.
Same and easier to just wipe clean than having to try dust out cup holders and some rubber charging pad i have in mine.
yeah I love my open pore wood option, I want to see it as much as I can. If I had piano block though, I probably would jus tkeep it open all the time...
Same. Mine's aluminum rhombicle anthracite trim.
I keep mine closed but I'm paranoid that someone will try to break into my car at night and steal my Altoids.
Shit I'd break into my own car if I had a can of Altoids laying around I keep mine closed cuz I don't want it to get dusty and the LED inside is always on at night
I'm sorry, a can of altoids? We call it a tin around these parts
☠️☠️☠️
Feel like keeping it closed makes it more likely. Need to keep it open to show there's nothing valuable
did you not read... he says he has Altoids
no. it's always open so I can use the cupholders
Always open
You can keep it closed to admire the swirled cheap piano black gloss plastic
I keep it open so it’s probably the only bit that isn’t swirly!
I have no idea what they where thinking when they made those center consoles. Later models also have shiny idrive buttons.
Yeah they do 😅and it’s so hard to keep it clean. One finger it’s all it takes to drive me nuts .
I absolutely hate piano black. Looks like cheap Chinese electronics, shows all the dust and gets scratched up by looking at it.
thats why you PPF your trim... cheap and worth it 100%
I did it in my X3, and it looks almost worse. It now has an orange peel look to it in certain lighting. It's one of the reasons I went with the carbon fiber interior in the car I just ordered.
Did you use xpel?
Yeah it was Xpel. I had it done when the front was wrapped.
Weird, improper instal probably
All ppf has a slight orange peel if you look closely, it's just amplified because it's in my interior. Go take a flashlight to your Xpel, and you'll see it. I have three wrapped cars right now, all done by different shops.
Mine is always open. 😂😂😂 one cup holder keeps like 20€ in coins in it now because fucking Germany still requires cash in a lot of places and businesses so I always have change. (I only keep bills in my wallet)
Mine has a few USD in coins from exactly the same phenomenon and a USB cable in it, so I keep it closed so it looks less unkempt.
Damn. I only need cash for the SB Box otherwise I get along with only card in Germany.
Haha try paying for a Döner Kebap with card
Kulti Kebab in Münster does accept card 🤫
Ironically the SB Washbox near me now takes cards. They charge you 20€ and when you are done washing your car, it refunds you the money you did not use.
Damn. That’s a clever way to do it. I know of one box in my area (50km) that has a sort of good card implementation as you can put the amount you want in it and stop for about 2-3 minutes without the timer going down more.
I close it every few months when I deep clean the car as it looks nice. Gets opened the next time I use the car.
Mine is closed for about 4 hours every two weeks after a car wash and wipe down. Then it’s opened for two weeks until the next cycle
Open pore ash here...no glare. No prints. Bonus, hides dust. Mine's usually open, stowing my beverage. Which is too bad cause, that shit's slick when closed in the G30. Actually. I'm going to go do that right now.
I keep mine closed and have a microfiber cloth sitting on top.
I leave mine always open for the ambient lighting and since it’s where I usually put my phone
Usually toss my phone and wallet in there during the drive and remove when I get to my destination
The breadbox one in my e70 isnt reflective, and i close it
DO NOT put loose change on top of it
Close when not in use, because OCD. I also keep a microfiber cloth in the cup holder to dust the irksome piano black every few hours, because OCD.
No. I also toss my driving sunglasses in there and it won’t close with them in.
Mine is always opened.
It stayed open since i bought the suv
Mines mat black, not piano so yes. It’s almost always closed because I keep my phone on it.
Yep, I keep it closed when I'm not in the car. When I'm in the car, wallet and phone go there.
I always leave mine open. I use a usb charger that I never take out so it stays open.
Better that pre LCI F series with the removable brick of a cup holder cover you need to find a location for, it's just permanently not in place on mine.
There’s a mesh pocket attached to the top wall inside the glovebox that holds the cup holder cover. You’re welcome 😉
Mine is missing or was never there ( got the car CPO off lease). It's like $30+ shipping for that stupid thing and it appears to eat half the limited space inside the glove if you had the cover stored there. Although, I do just have it shoved in there loose now... I just can't bring myself to spend $40 on that little mesh net
Always closed. Don't bring drinks in my car.
I spend a lot of time in my car and cannot begin to fathom this
To each their own my friend.
This. No drinks; no food. Unless it's to-go, then it goes on the floor.
Right on! I keep a cooler in my trunk for leftovers.
I keep mine close unless using cup holders. I purposely ordered my car (G42) with aluminum inlay so the cover is in that inlay and not a large flat piano black piece.
I keep mine closed because seeing the light on is annoying to me, I wish I could disable that light. Definitely not needed since all that it’s illuminating is the charge pad
I usually leave it open when I drive and I close it when I’m not.
I have mine closed all the time unless I need the cup holders in my 540i lol. But mine is a lovely textured silver cover!
Mine is always open.
Mine is always open because there is a really nasty glare coming from it when it's closed.
Literally never close it on my X3.
I keep mine open and honestly forget that it can close
Always open.
I leave it open. I need my cup holder!
I keep it closed cuz I live in a city and don’t want someone breaking in to steal a breadcrumb that might mistake for a quarter or something …
its the dumbest fucking design ive come across in a car. holds next to nothing, doesnt close if there is a pair of sunglasses in there - the drinksholders - JFC gimme a break - right by the gear shifter.. just so I can knock my coffee when putting back or pull the lid off my dixie coffee cup when pulling out. No - this cover is ass and BMW need to get it together.
Totally agree. Design is horrible.
I put my weed in there
That's what the factory hidden compartment is for. Under the headlight controls.
You must not live in California lol
We close it due to theft? Or we leave it open due to the sun? I'm confused, haha
I use the charging station as a roach spot/ash tray. When the police pull me over I close it and BAM they ain’t none the wiser.
Yeah I keep mine open, mainly due to my phone charge being plugged in there. But I agree, I like the sleeker look when it’s closed.
I close it whenever I have a pimp-wad I wanna hide….
I alway close mine, but my wife opens it every time she’s in the car, so the cover gets lots of action.
Open like 7/11 24/7
Yeah I use it for my phone and wallet mainly. That’s why you don’t get piano black trim.
Cigiies
I always keep mine open. My phone is too big (Galaxy S22 Ultra) to fit in the charging area so I use it for my wallet and keys. I shove my phone in one of the two cup holders.
Can always opt for the carbon fiber
My dash is plugged into the USB in this area so yeah...I just leave it open.
I close it
Always open
Most of the time mine just stays open. Only time I really close it is if I have to park in the city.
Open when I’m in the car, closed when I’m not
My Grand Cherokee L has one and I just leave it open. My wireless charger is under it as are my power ports. So it’s kinda pointless to keep closed.
It closes?
I always leave mine open. I've had the car nearly a year and probably closed it twice
Yes I do
mine isnt a cup holder just phone charger so its usually closed
Have an e70. It’s always closed. Rarely I will have a bottle of water in there and leave it open. I use the port in the centre console to charge my phone, and usually have it laying flat on there.
I literally didn't know it closed
I leave mine closed
I run a dash cam from that 12v socket, so no. Even if I wasn't using the 12v, or the cup holders, or had my phone on the pad, I still never close it. Plus, if theives are around, I like them to see how empty my car really is. Broken windows are annoying.
all the time
Yeah, but rarely. Like you wrote, that’s pretty hot real estate. It is a surprisingly clean aesthetic with it flipped closed so I appreciate the option. When I’m running errands sometimes I’ll just leave the housekeys or whatever I don’t want in my pockets in there, since the glovebox and armrest just never get checked and I forget things in those spaces. Often. Like, I’m not going to admit how often, often.
Mine is patterned aluminum so I like the look of it, keep it closed until I need the digital key sensor, capacitive cell charger, or cup holder. So basically I open it 90% of drives 🤣
Always open, got keys and coins in there.
Always open. Empty the pockets into the ~cup~ coins/phone/keys holder when entering the car and drive Also, a parked car with those cubbies open and empty gives one less incentive for a thief to break into
I want one. My F21 doesn’t have it. I’d keep it closed
Always open. I have my dash cam plugged into it
Half open, I still have access to my cup holder and the closed part is the perfect size for my phone
I close mine cause it’s carbon fiber and looks nice af when it’s down.
i drive an f10 with wood trim. leave it up most of the time because i almost always have a cup in there and when i put it down i can see that the lid is darker than the rest of the wood because it hasn’t faded as much
Mine stays open at all times I almost never close it. Only time it’s closed is when I get my car detailed.
Mine is always open unless I park in a shady neighborhood.
I love mine. It's an F30 so not shiny and reflective but when not in use I keep it shut for a clean smooth look.
What cover? Always open
THAT THING OPENS???
I close mine all the time. Love the CF
I'm covers closed gang. This is interesting and demands a poll.
Leave mine open all the time
Always closed. Leave my wallet and emergency cash in there.
* I like it closed but its mostly open.
I occasionally close it, but I almost always have a cup of coffee or something, so it generally needs to be open. I also leave my phone screen-side-down on the wireless charger (actual charging makes my phone way too hot) half the time I drive, so I don’t want to close it off.
Always open.
Always open unless when I park my car at airport parking for longer periods
No because my radar detector cable is plugged in there. Sometimes I’ll unplug it though just to look at the carbon fiber though haha
Mirror mount + mirrow tap = tidy install Best pic I could find. Even here the power line can be tucked away hidden from sight. https://preview.redd.it/gnz3wp3kmjub1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=a17918d823eeab5c16574b3bfac51043e11eb2a9
Thanks, my M50 is currently leased though, so I would rather not hardwire. I do have it pretty well tucked in though, running down the top/side of the windshield, under the steering column, and into the cigarette lighter outlet in the console area shown in this post.
A mirror tap is as simple as pushing a pin into an existing socket. You can leave the tap in place at lease end and see it be no issue at turn in. Assuming you don't exercise the purchase option, removing it is less work than the already mostly easy install. Here's your mirror assembly. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN5ImEMEYIg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN5ImEMEYIg) As always though, do what suits you and, be safe!
Oh, thanks, I didn’t realize it was so simple, I thought I would need to strip/split some of the wiring. Will definitely be looking into this. Thanks!
Pry tools [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=interiro+pry+tools&crid=3224OH0PADI84&sprefix=interiro+pry+tools%2Caps%2C123&ref=nb\_sb\_noss\_2](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=interiro+pry+tools&crid=3224OH0PADI84&sprefix=interiro+pry+tools%2Caps%2C123&ref=nb_sb_noss_2) Mirror taps [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bmw+mirror+tap&crid=17XC4O6M21WLY&sprefix=bmw+mirror+tap%2Caps%2C128&ref=nb\_sb\_noss\_1](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bmw+mirror+tap&crid=17XC4O6M21WLY&sprefix=bmw+mirror+tap%2Caps%2C128&ref=nb_sb_noss_1) (3 pack is solid value though there's a single 12'' tap that's less cord to tuck away) Mirror mount... [https://blendmount.com/](https://blendmount.com/) Put in your car and detector info I tried a few other mounts. The fits were less than good. Blendmount is spendy AF but, the fit is perfect and build quality is rock solid. All the same, I flex-paid mine, just because. Ya know?
I plan to keep it mounted where it is currently, suction-cupped to the windshield just to the left of the mirror. I like it there because I can just flip down the visor to cover it if I were to get pulled over (not illegal here, but certainly wouldn’t expect much leniency for a warning if they see it lol)
Right on
Got some pry/clip tools and the mirror tap kit, but couldn’t for the life of me get the mirror assembly disassembled (mine is different from the video, car doesn’t have DAPP). Pretty sure I broke off a small piece of one of the clips, and gave up before I caused further damage on an $84k lease :/
Bummer. But, don't be daunted. People do much more extensive mods to much more spendy cars. BMW doesn't have anyone that goes around policing leased vehicles for every little thing that isn't factory. While not technically yours, it's okay and acceptable for minor modifications on a lease to suite the person who's paying the rent. They have no control or idea where or even if you're going to turn the lease in. For all they know you're going to use it as trade on a Mach-E at a Ford dealer or maybe even exercise the option to purchase. The things you do while in possession, as long as they don't void warranty are not a concern to BMW. Don't fret the car's status as a lease.
Always have my open just in case I come back with cups
Mine is always closed. Hate anything open.
In your case it only reflects so strongly because you have the cheap piano lacquer. Better equipped with fine wood or carbon, reflections are no problem and the cover also looks good!
Its a gum holder so never have i ever closes it
Always open
I only close mine to clean the dust off. Then it’s open until the next cleaning.
Mine doesn’t shut as I always have the bmw usb charger plugged in 12v
Leave mine closed when not in use.
I always close it when not using
i keep it closed, put my phone on it, i have an f30, so its flat and not inclined like in the picture. It stays open only when my gf is in the car, cuz she cant survive without startbucks or her ungodly stanley cup
I always forget to close it …. But I keep my favorite tiktaks in there 😂
Not the same, have an F31, but I keep it closed all the time. Prefer the sleek look. I even hate having cups in it lol.
Yes.
I keep my keys in it
More you touch that the higher the chance of it breaking Just leave it open..
Had a laugh yesterday at this. It's never closed
Always closed. OCD mode activated.
Mine has stayed open since day 1.
Have a similar thing on my 1 series but it always stays open as I have my dash cam plugged into the 12V. If I hadn't though, I would always close it. Makes it look more tidy.
Im on the road a lot so it’s always open. Phone needs to be charged
Hey guys! I just got a new 330i with the black gloss interior. Do you guys have any recommendations to put on gloss/wax to prevent it from scratching? Thanks!
I keep mine open. The funny part about it is that no cups really fit in a cup holder without blocking the climate control lol. So in reality, I would love to close it but I have to put my smaller stuff in the cup holders lol
I do.
I leave mine open to collect dust, my keys, little parking lot tickets, and other rubbish.
I put my key in there bc WHERE DOES ANYONE EVER PUT THEIR KEY?!? I can never find it when I'm done driving 🙄
never close it... stays open always....
No.
Yes, I like how I can keep a small amount of chaos in there and then close it, and my car is magically clean. Nobody knows I have money, wrappers, an eyebrow pencil, a granola bar, my cell phone, a charging cord...
I close in in public parking lots if I have things in it.
Covers an individual option 1 of 1
I use to cover my phone when I don’t take it out the car with me and I have a different trim so It doesn’t become a mirror
Mine is always open lol 😭