[SpaceSilverX1]

my new dashcam arrived today.

although I have never worked on a BMW before, it was a relatively easy process to run the wire from the top of the windshield down to the cigarette lighter socket.(didn't want to tap into the existing wires for now) Much easier than Infiniti and Ford, but somewhat harder than Honda and Mercedes. I've installed maybe 8 or 9 dashcams on my own cars in the past.

These are just some pics that I took to show how I removed and reinstalled the A pillar cover and the cupholder assembly. Someone asked somewhere, but I couldn't remember which thread. They are NOT intended as instructions, just sharing of pictures and my experience. There will be plenty of typos and whatnot because I was trying to get it done within 10 minutes.(yes, I know.. very stupid of me) in the end, it took me over 20 minutes.

*** WARNING! The airbag is behind the A pillar cover. Absolutely do NOT attemp this if you don't know what you're doing. Serious injury or death very possible if you cut into the wrong wire or interfere with the operation of the airbag ***




starting with the removal of the cupholder because I have the USB cable plugged into the cigarette lighter socket... doesn't interfere with anything, since it' under the floating center armrest. when I have the time, I'll hardwire it into the cigarette lighter wires.

(1) pull the tab on the rubber mat at the bottom of the cupholders

(2) remove the two star head screws(indicated by the yellow arrow) and save them

(3) the cupholder assembly is held in place with two large metal clips. use a plastic pry tool to pry the cupholder straight up. make sure the adjacent trim pieces are not scratched

(4) the dashcam USB wire comes in from under the dash and carpet, then enged up just behind the cigarette lighter socket. there is a tiny corner at the bottom right allwoing the wire to enter

(5) push the cupholder straight back down, install thw two screws, put the rubber mat back

[SpaceSilverX1]

now for the A pillar removal

(6) use a small plastic pry tool and gently pop out the black plastic cap that says "AIRBAG" near the top of the A pillar

(7) unscrew the long star head screw behind that cap, don't lose it

(8) gently pull the A pillar cover towards the center of the dashboard, then lift up to take it out. (observe the two tabs at the bottom)

(9) there are two white plastic clips. They may remain on the A pillar cover. Remove and pop them into the back of the A pillar.(for reinstallation)

(10) run the wire and make sure not to route it as far away as possible from the airbag.

(11) push the cover back, screw the long screw back in gently, replace the AIRBAG plastic cap.

[Douggie]

Thank you for the write up and pics!

[SpaceSilverX1]

Originally Posted by Douggie

Thank you for the write up and pics!

my apologies for the incomplete photos and rushed texts...

I received my X1 three weeks ago. Didn't have a dashcam until yesterday. I only had half an hour to install it before heading out for a dinner party. I wanted to get it done last night because I started on a long road trip today.(a little over 1800 miles roundtrip).

The photos were taken while I was removing the car parts. I do that so when I put the parts back, I can see if they are back in the correct position.

When I come back, I will probably do it all over again because I intend to get a multi-camera dashcam system, which will involve taking apart many more interior pieces from the front to the back.

[srbs73]

Thanks for the detailed pics! I'm considering replacing the UK cup holders with the US ones if the BMW UK dealer can source them.

Out of interest, what plastic pry tool did you use and was it from the back of the cup holder?

[SpaceSilverX1]

Originally Posted by srbs73

Thanks for the detailed pics! I'm considering replacing the UK cup holders with the US ones if the BMW UK dealer can source them.

Out of interest, what plastic pry tool did you use and was it from the back of the cup holder?

if not, you can always take a trip to Germany and order it from a German BMW dealer?
https://www.x1forum.de/forum/thread/...5224#post35224 Quote: "Ein Deutscher BMW Haendler hat fuer seinen Kunden den US Cupholder geordert. Die Teilenummer lautet: 51 16 9496948...." (German BMW dealer ordered US-style cupholder for the customer, part number 51 16 9496948)

I grew up learning to drive from my old German teacher in her Volvo 240. First thing she taught me was "a good German driver never eats or drinks while driving" and somehow it stuck with me... as I have never tried to eat or drink while driving all my life. (which means I never use the cupholder, except for putting my sunglasses or key fobs there)

The pry tool that I used was just a free one that came inside the dashcam box.(like the one below, see red arrow) It was about 4 or 5 inches long, but any plastic tool should work.

I also used a guitar pick and inserted it into the gap between the cupholder and the USB/12V ports. It lifted up about 1mm, allowing the pry tool to be inserted. Pry straight up from one corner, then the other corner. Lift the cupholder straight up gently.(assuming both screws were removed first, of course)

[srbs73]

Thanks for this! I don't tend to drink (coffee) and drive either but do use them for when I buy a coffee to take home or to the office.

[Bodgeit1]

Originally Posted by srbs73

Thanks for the detailed pics! I'm considering replacing the UK cup holders with the US ones if the BMW UK dealer can source them.

Out of interest, what plastic pry tool did you use and was it from the back of the cup holder?

message i got From Sytner in Coventry when i asked about cup holder inserts

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by Bodgeit1

message i got From Sytner in Coventry when i asked about cup holder inserts

Not sure what that is for? Is that just the rubber bit at the bottom?? I think it's going to be £75'ish

[Bodgeit1]

Originally Posted by srbs73

Not sure what that is for? Is that just the rubber bit at the bottom?? I think it's going to be £75'ish

i didnt enquire any further to be honest

[SpaceSilverX1]

Originally Posted by srbs73

Not sure what that is for? Is that just the rubber bit at the bottom?? I think it's going to be £75'ish

no way that it's only £6.71, unless the Pound Sterling is now worth 10 times in value! but if that's the case, can anyone make an unofficial inquiry to see if His Majesty will consent to letting us American colonials to rejoin the Kingdom?

one of the replies on this German forum mentioned list price as 134 euros for the US cupholder, part# 51 16 9496948 (page in German only)

https://www.motor-talk.de/forum/arre...32.html?page=2

[articulatedsphinx]

Is this for a front and rear dashcam? I thought they come with dashcam software built in? Or do you want one for when it's parked.

[SpaceSilverX1]

Originally Posted by articulatedsphinx

Is this for a front and rear dashcam? I thought they come with dashcam software built in? Or do you want one for when it's parked.

The built-in BMW Drive Recorder only records when there's an impact. I want a dashcam that can record continuously while I drive.

didn't have time to do the rear one because I was in a rush....

[justdriving]

This thread has an interesting alternative for dashcam power. Tap into the light sensor instead of wiring from the 12v outlet.
Idk how well it works though.

https://u11.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=12

[SpaceSilverX1]

Originally Posted by learninboutbmw

This thread has an interesting alternative for dashcam power. Tap into the light sensor instead of wiring from the 12v outlet.
Idk how well it works though.

https://u11.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...7&postcount=12

I didn't really want to risk messing anything up. I'm familiar with many other car brands and their electrical systems. But this is my first time dealing with a BMW. Plugging into the cigarette adapter was quick and painless... especially since it's located in a weird location unlikely to affect anything else.

[jihong]

Does tapping the lighter socket allow for parking mode on your dashcam? Meaning, is there constant power even when car is shut off?

Thanks!

[MontyB1]

Be VERY careful doing things like that though a BMW does stop the current to the 12v lighter socket. BMW cars monitor electricity draw from the battery. If your battery fails prematurely BMW will tell you to go away as it was / is a current draw that killed it.

Not saying don’t just be careful, I wouldn’t wire a camera up like that in a modern BMW for that reason.

[SpaceSilverX1]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

Be VERY careful doing things like that though a BMW does stop the current to the 12v lighter socket. BMW cars monitor electricity draw from the battery. If your battery fails prematurely BMW will tell you to go away as it was / is a current draw that killed it.

Not saying don’t just be careful, I wouldn’t wire a camera up like that in a modern BMW for that reason.

do UK or Euro-spec X1 have different 12v sockets? on my US-spec X1, the 12v socket continue to provide power for 10 or 12 minutes after I lock the door. It actually worked great for me like this... it allows my dashcam to continue recording for an extra 10 minutes while I pop into the chemist or do a bit of shopping.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilverX1

do UK or Euro-spec X1 have different 12v sockets? on my US-spec X1, the 12v socket continue to provide power for 10 or 12 minutes after I lock the door. It actually worked great for me like this... it allows my dashcam to continue recording for an extra 10 minutes while I pop into the chemist or do a bit of shopping.

Pretty sure the original question was asking if it stayed on permanently.

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by MontyB1

Be VERY careful doing things like that though a BMW does stop the current to the 12v lighter socket. BMW cars monitor electricity draw from the battery. If your battery fails prematurely BMW will tell you to go away as it was / is a current draw that killed it.

Not saying don’t just be careful, I wouldn’t wire a camera up like that in a modern BMW for that reason.

I’ve been looking into a system with a backup battery that can be mounted underseat for this very reason. Most decent dash cams have a low voltage detection circuit built in though, so at the very least it won’t kill your battery enough for it to not start.

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilverX1

my new dashcam arrived today.

although I have never worked on a BMW before, it was a relatively easy process to run the wire from the top of the windshield down to the cigarette lighter socket.(didn't want to tap into the existing wires for now) Much easier than Infiniti and Ford, but somewhat harder than Honda and Mercedes. I've installed maybe 8 or 9 dashcams on my own cars in the past.

These are just some pics that I took to show how I removed and reinstalled the A pillar cover and the cupholder assembly. Someone asked somewhere, but I couldn't remember which thread. They are NOT intended as instructions, just sharing of pictures and my experience. There will be plenty of typos and whatnot because I was trying to get it done within 10 minutes.(yes, I know.. very stupid of me) in the end, it took me over 20 minutes.

*** WARNING! The airbag is behind the A pillar cover. Absolutely do NOT attemp this if you don't know what you're doing. Serious injury or death very possible if you cut into the wrong wire or interfere with the operation of the airbag ***




starting with the removal of the cupholder because I have the USB cable plugged into the cigarette lighter socket... doesn't interfere with anything, since it' under the floating center armrest. when I have the time, I'll hardwire it into the cigarette lighter wires.

(1) pull the tab on the rubber mat at the bottom of the cupholders

(2) remove the two star head screws(indicated by the yellow arrow) and save them

(3) the cupholder assembly is held in place [...]

Great photos to show the process. I just placed an order for the cup holder. Was it easy to take out with the pry tool without causing any damage to the other trim pieces?
Also, was the process straight forward or was there some fiddling around needed to get the cup holder out?

Thank you!!

[SpaceSilverX1]

Originally Posted by FZI89

Great photos to show the process. I just placed an order for the cup holder. Was it easy to take out with the pry tool without causing any damage to the other trim pieces?
Also, was the process straight forward or was there some fiddling around needed to get the cup holder out?

Thank you!!

after removing the screws, just use any plastic pry tool that you can find... as soon as you lift up a small gap, pull straight up gently but with some force. for me, the easiest was when going in via the gap between the USB-C connector panel and the cupholder.

if I have to do it again, I'll probably use masking tape and cover up any trim piece that I don't want scratched.

once you get the new cupholder, you can see where the clips are up close and that will help you in the removal process.

good luck!