The in dash cupholders should be a recalled, IMHO. I know there not an itergral part of the vehicle, but they are junk, wouldn't even expect them on a Kia! Sorry for the rant, it's just what I think............

Sure looks a heck of alot better than those two craters that were situated in the armrest of the earlier model.

My car doesn't arrive for three more weeks. The cupholders seemed fine during my test drive. What don't people like about them?

My car doesn't arrive for three more weeks. The cupholders seemed fine during my test drive. What don't people like about them?

Drinks fall over, they rattle all the time.

My car doesn't arrive for three more weeks. The cupholders seemed fine during my test drive. What don't people like about them?

Passengers keep drinking the wrong drink, and they rattle.

By German car standards they are ok. For cars made anyplace else they would indeed suck. Not sure about the current generation stuff, but the last Audi's I drove were even worse.

i agree with yj bill ...

they're horrible. not stable, don't look good, just not well designed. every time i have a drink in them i have to sort of hold them as i take a corner.

as for the two "craters" in the armrest - i miss them! they held the drinks, were unobstrustive (to me) and were w/in reach.

they may not be important to some people, but if you're gonna have them, they should work well. and these clearly suck.

I love the cupholders in my 328xi. I can reach the driver's cupholder nicely and my wife can reach the passengers with no trouble. Much better than the 2003 Mercedes C 240 4MATIC that I traded in.

If you have a cupholder that doesn't securely hold your drink, it may be defective. While I don't necessarily believe the placement of the cupholders (over the passengers knees and in the way of egress and entry) is ideal, they are increbibly effective at holding all of the drinks I tend to place in them during a morning commute. Red Bull cans, 20 oz soda bottles, Gatorade sport bottles, varying sized cups of coffee -- they all fit, they don't rattle, they don't crush their contents, and they don't spill.

I love them, except for their placement.

The problem is that Germans aren't used to the 44oz 'big gut' drinks we have in the states. On my '03 jetta they had similar cupholders that were simply springloaded arms. They looked flimsy and I had a habit of wanting to grab the drink on corners, but found that it was actually more than adequate for up to 32oz cups, even when cornering hard, after I loosened up and let them do their job.

I haven't actually used the BMW ones, but they looked better than my old jetta ones as they surround the cup with a solid piece of plastic rather than just a spring loaded arm that wraps around. Still, I imagine the paranoia and urge to hold on to them while driving hard is pretty common.

Look at it this way, it's motivation to not super-size. ;) Or better yet, motivation to not even eat/drink in your car.

The problem is that Germans aren't used to the 44oz 'big gut' drinks we have in the states. On my '03 jetta they had similar cupholders that were simply springloaded arms. They looked flimsy and I had a habit of wanting to grab the drink on corners, but found that it was actually more than adequate for up to 32oz cups, even when cornering hard, after I loosened up and let them do their job.

I haven't actually used the BMW ones, but they looked better than my old jetta ones as they surround the cup with a solid piece of plastic rather than just a spring loaded arm that wraps around. Still, I imagine the paranoia and urge to hold on to them while driving hard is pretty common.

Look at it this way, it's motivation to not super-size. ;) Or better yet, motivation to not even eat/drink in your car.

Hello "sor":

You mean some people actually even consider eating or drinking in a BMW!?

I'm not taking 44 oz big gulps, it wont even hold a 16 oz water bottle in place!!

The problem is that Germans aren't used to the 44oz 'big gut' drinks we have in the states. On my '03 jetta they had similar cupholders that were simply springloaded arms. They looked flimsy and I had a habit of wanting to grab the drink on corners, but found that it was actually more than adequate for up to 32oz cups, even when cornering hard, after I loosened up and let them do their job.

I haven't actually used the BMW ones, but they looked better than my old jetta ones as they surround the cup with a solid piece of plastic rather than just a spring loaded arm that wraps around. Still, I imagine the paranoia and urge to hold on to them while driving hard is pretty common.

Look at it this way, it's motivation to not super-size. ;) Or better yet, motivation to not even eat/drink in your car.

The passenger don't rattle, just the cupholder:D

Passengers keep drinking the wrong drink, and they rattle.

Mine holds what I need...travel coffee mug.

There are so many different sizes and shapes of bottles, can you really expect a cup holder to carry everything? I don't.

Mine holds what I need...travel coffee mug.

There are so many different sizes and shapes of bottles, can you really expect a cup holder to carry everything? I don't.

Just put things in closed water bottles, soda bottles etc.. so if they fall out, you are fine. The cup holders could be a bit deeper and wider, with springs the squeeze based on cup size. Mercedes has had some decent designs in older E-Class, but they go bad over time.. Stop drinking and driving anyways, it's illegal.

Eatin, drinkin, and pukin is not allowed in my car.

Yea I don't understand the eating and drinking in the car thing. Not to piss anyone off, but the reason that the cup holder are shit is because in germany they don't have cup holders, and they use their cars for driving and that is all. If they want a cup of coffee in the morning I'm sure they get up an extra 10 minutes early. But whatever, It's your car do what you want. It's kinda like the multiple compliants a day about the cigarette lighter fuse being blown. The cigarette lighter in BMW's are not designed to charge a phone or anything for that matter. They are designed to make the cigarette lighter hot to light your cigar/cigarette.
That's my rant sorry.

funny, you won't drink in the car, but you'll smoke in it?

nathan,

have you ever BEEN to germany? i have, and the people i met drank coffee in their cars. sorry to burst your bubble!
and i'm not trying to get the cupholders to fit a supersize or even a lot of sizes, just the basic, everyday 16 oz. travel mug.

my other 3 series had 'em, so please don't tell me it's not a BMW thing.
these are just poorly designed.

it's not my biggest complaint, but it is too bad that it wasn't well thought out.

That's odd, the cupholders I saw could easily fit a 20 oz soda, probably a 32oz.

they can fit a cup that size ... they just don't hold it securely. they do adjust, but the way they're designed the cups or travel mug move around a bit.
not good!

Have you ever had one fall out?

i've had liquid slosh around and spill out.
and i purposely didn't fill the cups up that high.
whether it's a sturdier travel mug, or a regular take out cup - there's just too much play and not enough support to keep cups steady.
i feel like i have to have one hand on them! kinda defeats the purpose of a cup holder .......

Bottom line: those cupholders are junk. Better than none but BMW could do better IMHO.

The guys over on the Kia forum are a lot nicer...................................J/K:drink3

yj bill,

love your little drunk happy face.
does your wife have the bling chrome? i'm confused about your info.
or does she have a driver? :)
lucky girl!

nathan,

have you ever BEEN to germany? i have, and the people i met drank coffee in their cars. sorry to burst your bubble!
and i'm not trying to get the cupholders to fit a supersize or even a lot of sizes, just the basic, everyday 16 oz. travel mug.

my other 3 series had 'em, so please don't tell me it's not a BMW thing.
these are just poorly designed.

it's not my biggest complaint, but it is too bad that it wasn't well thought out.

I know that the BMW's in Germany... (at least the 3's), don't even come with cupholders. And not to doubt people don't drink coffee (or whatever liquid) in their cars over there, you have to remember that to do so, they either hold the beverage with a free hand, or find another way to secure it. I'm sure they gripe about having none at all. Or maybe they are used to it and deal with it. At least we have something. Find a beverage container that fits. If the 16 oz is too small, get a bigger mug. Problem solved. BMW may not have thought out the cupholder very well (I've had my grumblings about them too...), but remember it's an afterthought. Take one look at a 6 Series for a perfect example...

Cupholders pretty much suck in most cars. I had a helluva time with my cupholders in my IS250 because they were right below my forearm. Made it tricky as hell to shift with a bottle in the way.

I just deal with it and don't drink anything in my car except for water. I had a buddy who spilled an entire 32oz Big Gulp on my floor right after I removed the floor mats to clean them. Helluva thing...haha...in the words of Forrest Gump, "it happens..."

jay,
it does happen, you're right ... and zimmy, i agree, it's an afterthought.
but, like i said, it's not that a cup doesn't FIT it's that they're not designed well, and don't keep ANY cups very stable.
and, hate to say it, but in my last three series - they were just fine.
oh well, it really is the least of my complaints - but someone else brought it up, so i thought i'd chime in...

Jules, the 328 is my wifes Daily Driver, the vehicle she drives every day. We swapped the wheels out from the stock painted 16's to a set of "Bling Bling" chrome 17's. Overall it is a great car and we love it. Thanks for asking.

yj bill,


does your wife have the bling chrome?
or does she have a driver? :)
lucky girl!

The passenger don't rattle, just the cupholder:D

:biglaughb:biglaughb:biglaughb

I have been driving around a Z4 3.0si loaner for a couple days now (mine is in the shop to get the windshield replaced under warranty). I really like the cup holders in that car, the 335i should have been more like those with the adjustable arm and deep cup holder. I like the placement of the cup holders in the 335, but they just aren't deep enough to securely hold a 16oz cup. I am always holding the top just as an extra precaution around curves. But I doubt there will be a recall. I will just have to continue the water only rule for my car.

Sorry, but this is the lamest thread I have read. To gripe about cupholders in a magnificent driving machine just blows my mind. Are you that bored with your drive that you pay attention to a cupholder. I barely even noticed they were there on my car in over 10 years! And yeah, for me drinks are not allowed in a moving car period, so the cupholders are pretty redundant.

:sleepSorry guy, I get bored really quick in Socal traffic, in whatever I drive:sleep

Sorry, but this is the lamest thread I have read. To gripe about cupholders in a magnificent driving machine just blows my mind. Are you that bored with your drive that you pay attention to a cupholder. I barely even noticed they were there on my car in over 10 years! And yeah, for me drinks are not allowed in a moving car period, so the cupholders are pretty redundant.

i actually like my cup holders in my 5-series. Of course i only use 12 ounce traveler mugs. I love the way it extends toward me, but doesn't block any on the dash. I drive very hard, and have yet to have anything spill.

:sleepSorry guy, I get bored really quick in Socal traffic, in whatever I drive:sleep
lol, I feel bad for you man, I'd get an iPod if I were you to keep you entertained. I've been to so cal before and I guess I know what you mean. Worst traffic I ever seen anywhere.

P.S. Before cupholders became standard on cars, my cupholder was to squeeze the cup between the seat cushion and my thighs. Don't try that with a hot drink though, not worth the risk :nono.

We got the sat radio, it's nice

lol, I feel bad for you man, I'd get an iPod if I were you to keep you entertained. I've been to so cal before and I guess I know what you mean. Worst traffic I ever seen anywhere.

P.S. Before cupholders became standard on cars, my cupholder was to squeeze the cup between the seat cushion and my thighs. Don't try that with a hot drink though, not worth the risk :nono.

you're not going to get a recall on cupholders. if you don't use them, they don't break.

http://accessories.bmwusa.com/ItemView.aspx?modelId=16&categoryId=59&productCategoryId=&menuId=1&subItemId=1

sor,
thank you. had no idea they offered other options up as accessories!
see, that's what i call a helpful entry in the forum.

yippee.

I am not sure this is a big enough issue to start a class action suit..

:drink3I'm thinking of ordering one of these: http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/ :drink3 (http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/)

This thread makes me :rofl

I am on my second e9x and I have never had an issue with the cup holders. Okay, so they can't hold the 86oz cup from QuikTrip, but they hold everything else fine during "normal" driving conditions. Either you guys need to work on your smooth driving skills or stop using them during track days!

I agree, it's not a reliability or safety issue.

I am not sure this is a big enough issue to start a class action suit..

I asked, and they don't have them for the e92 yet.


:drink3I'm thinking of ordering one of these: http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/ :drink3 (http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/)

:drink3I'm thinking of ordering one of these: http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/ :drink3 (http://www.ultimatecupholders.com/)
I was just about to post that link. give the guy time, he'll have them available if he sees a market for them.

A friend has them in his e39, they work very well.

I shot him an e-mail

I was just about to post that link. give the guy time, he'll have them available if he sees a market for them.

A friend has them in his e39, they work very well.