Alternative to Ashtray/Drink Holder idea

[shogun]

Ashtray replacement movie - YouTube
Made by our member SS2115
he mentions: My E34 Ashtray has the usual problem that it pulls out crooked and doesn't stop coming out all the way.
I don't smoke anyway, so decided to find another use for the ashtray cubbyhole. Its not perfect yet. The drink clamp doesn't allow an easy push open for larger bottles, but will soon with the next round of development. Thought it might be interesting and perhaps spark some other ideas.

[Russell]

Interesting. Look forward to the next version.

[genphreak]

I've been wanting to do this for some time, even though I have a drinks holder. Because the damned thing is an eye-sore and never gets used!

IMHO the perfect holder would have
- 2 USB sockets,
- space for 2 or 3 50mm gauges
- accommodate the ATS+C/EDC buttons on all e32 and e34 configurations (or allow the buttons to be located somehow)
- space for a 7" screen and a couple of custom warning lights
- a beer keg-holder (and connection)
... ok, that last one is a tad silly. But would help to make all the others possible..

Good work Symetec!

[Ferrett 1962]

I had a thought of shifting my stereo head unit to where the ashtray is and if thay are still available I once had a single din cup holder and small change drawer unit that slips into a stereo unit hole. Since I don't smoke in the car I was going to look at installing a lighter type powerpoint in the console below the ash tray. If /when I do it I will post pictures.

[genphreak]

Beware, dashes are notoriously hard to customise. The IHKA unit is directly behind the ashtray, in front of the heater core and evaporator. So there is simply no room :-(

Although it might be done if you angle the unit up towards the driver (and/or the sunlight) and making it very glary at night.

[bennyg]

One of the first things I did was take the chrome insert out of the ashtray to make space for the phone charging paraphernalia. Stage 2 is to perhaps cut a hole somewhere and have a simple sliding frame anchored (from the inside) to hold the phone out in a useable position. Yet another idea ...