Touring Rear Door Ash Trays diff from Sedan?

[marsmann]

Hi all,

Haven't posted on here in quite some time. I'm primarily an E30 and 2002 guy but I work on E36s, E21s, E39s and E34s as well.

Are the ash trays different on the early E34 tourings than the sedans? I have a 92 525iT (4/92 build) which was missing the ash trays so I pulled a clean set I had from another 525i I had laying around but they don't seem to fit/work.

Part Number according to ETK is 51168137396 but it shows the same part for both sedan and touring models. Only problem is they clearly do not work on this car. Not sure what gives. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[Parker731]

No clue, I wouldn't think so becuase the panels are interchangeable from the touring and sedan.

[marsmann]

Thanks Parker731,

You are correct! The door cards for Tourings are interchangeable with the sedans. I wasn't aware of any differences either. And, the door cards in this Touring are not 95 or newer as they don't have the newer leather insert in the center of the cards so I know they are the proper 89 - 93 type. So it's not like the door panels in this car were changed from a newer model that 'could' have differences.

I don't have a sedan at the moment to compare with but I'm a bit perplexed.

thanks.

[kalevera]

There are two different types of ash trays used during E34 production. Depends on production date, nothing to do with touring vs sedan

[Parker731]

Originally Posted by kalevera

There are two different types of ash trays used during E34 production. Depends on production date, nothing to do with touring vs sedan

I had no clue they had different door models. I thought the only difference was the change from vinyl to leather? Anyone have pictures?

[jel]

kalevera is correct, I experienced this several years ago. I think the ashtrays are the same size but the tabs & grooves that hold it into the recess are slightly different. It can almost be crammed in but isn't flush or straight & won't latch closed or pivot. easily.

[marsmann]

Jel just described exactly what I am experiencing. The metal clip and side tabs don't match up. I could 'force' it in but it wouldn't be functional.

So, I'm not crazy then. Phew. Never knew this before. Goes to show you no matter how long you've been working with bimmers there is always something new to learn. Guess I'll have to source a set somewhere and put my nice pieces back in the pile.

If anyone has the right part number let me know. My BMW software only shows the one but I'll look again.

[RS4Drew]

Why Mars, didn't know you were a smoker! Just kidding bro. Happy Turkey day and I will see you tomorrow.

See you never know who is trolling around these forums nowadays...

[marsmann]

Mystery solved. There are differences indeed. See attached pic. The ash trays are identical in every way from front, top, bottom, etc. except for the sides.

The attached pic shows the differences in the sides. I found one, now I need one more. If anyone has one ash tray like the one pictured in the right email me.

thanks all.

[jel]

Is that a Touring under the ashtrays?

From Real.OEM Ashtray51168137396 $37.92is the correct P/N.

I can get a used one but don't think its worthwhile shipping.

[attack eagle]

is it a wood vs nonwood panel difference?

[marsmann]

Doesn't appear to be trim specific. Seems to be a build date issue. The car in question for me was non-wood trim.