I have been frustrated by my ashtray door ever since I got my 528. It has always stayed open. I know that other E39ers have had this problem and there is no fix for this ailment. So I got creative. I followed the intructions from Bavsound's youtube Dice install video.

Removing the center console was fairly easy, a ten minute job (I'm a novice) and then I proceded to clean a wax the wood trim. I used P21s wax because it does not leave a nasty white residue on the black plastic parts.

I then removed the quarter that had gotten stuck thanks to a sugary drink under the ashtray. I *thought* that this was why it would not close, but I was wrong. I began to think what I could use to support the door in the closed position that would not rattle loose or make any noise at all. I foud exactly what I needed in my desk drawer, standard school erasers. They are maliable enough that they can be made to fit. Without any cutting I slid them in the 'nook' and positioned them so that the door looks properly closed. Even if they do fall out, there will be no harm done, the door will just open back up.

I have enclosed photos for your viewing pleasure.

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa145/AubergineBimmer/New%20album%202/Pictures215.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa145/AubergineBimmer/New%20album%202/Pictures216.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa145/AubergineBimmer/New%20album%202/Pictures220.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa145/AubergineBimmer/New%20album%202/Pictures219.jpg

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa145/AubergineBimmer/New%20album%202/Pictures218.jpg

Now I know that there is a non-ashtray insert available for our cars, but that compartment is just not well designed, considering that I found $1.37 in change in my center console (below the wood grain fascia).

Wade

P.S. My center console had a date of 4-19-1996, I think I have one of the earliest E39's in the US.:shifty