XSeries-forum

Firstly, I copied this from A N other forum
I've just removed my phone cradle, the only difference to the below is, I separated the cradle mount with a torx 10 and used the back plate as a blanking plate

X5 E70 MY11: Useless Phone cradle removal.
What was BMW thinking ???
to put in a ridiculous phone cradle that takes up most of the centre console?
Also, most mobile devices are (at least) superseded within a short period of time, rendering the centre cradle useless.

Anyway, enough of the gripes.

Heres how i removed it in under 30 mins. (Took me circa 10 mins)
Note that it didn’t stop my BlueTooth phone working.

1. On RHS of vehicle (independent of Steering Wheel side),
Remove the centre, thin carpet strip running from front to back.
This is done by removing 1 torx screw from front end.
Put hand just left of centre, pull out, to clip out.
Put hand just right of centre, pull out.
Should now slide forward and away from centre hump.

2. Slide the rear carpet panel underneath the centre console by sliding forward.
This exposes the connectors.
Disconnect both.
Purple one, lift latch by putting screw driver underneath purple bit.
On the other connector, latch slides down to release plug..

3. Remove 2 torx screws holding cradle in console (underneath cradle).

Simply remove the damn thing.
Put back carpet strips.
Enjoy the space.
There is a cover available on the net to stop stuff falling down the hole, as above I separated the cradle and reinstalled the back plate

MMmm. Interesting. I might have to check this out...

Just out of interest on this A N other forum, did it mention how to remove the center console armrests, as I want to remove and re-pad them as they have very thin padding and ive found them uncomfy on long runs,
I had the same issues with my 35d that I had for 4 years and so far have not found anyway of removing the arm rests...
Cheers.

I think if you follow the instructions above for removing the two carpet pieces on the side of the transmission tunnel, then do the same on the other side, this gives access to the screws that hold the storage bin and arm rests in.