Hello motorists,

The 2013 Countrymans get bigger cup holders in the front, so I decided to see if I could do a retrofit to my 2012. The retrofit was a success and the bigger cup holders are definitely a lot more convenient. There are 4 parts total that needs to be ordered. I had to wait a month for 2 of the parts and the other 2 I'm still waiting on. The parts you need to order are the center trim panel, the shifter trim ring and the 2 rubber inserts for the cup holders. The rubber inserts are what I'm still waiting on. Now the shifter trim ring, you could possibly just use your existing one, however, the new design has little indentions to accommodate the bigger cup holders. Below are the part numbers I have and what you can expect to pay for the parts. Please keep in mind though, the part numbers will depend on what options you have, such as MINI Connect, Chrome line interior, etc. The parts I ordered were for a Countryman WITHOUT MINI Connect and WITHOUT Chrome line interior. The swap is very simple, the hardest part is actually getting the cigarette lighter out of the old piece and putting it into the new piece. If anyone would like a write up, let me know and I'll try to get one posted as soon as possible.

Center Trim Panel (51-16-9-811-185) ~ $32
Shifter Trim Ring (51-16-9-810-002) ~ $17
2x Cup Holder Rubber Inserts (51-16-9-811-184) ~ $8 each

Happy Motoring!

Write up:
Disclaimer: Attempt at your own risk. I assume no responsibility for any damages. Please read all the instructions before attempting as it will make it easier to perform.

Step 1: Disconnect battery. You don't have to, but it's always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with disconnecting wires.

***For steps 2 & 3, you can look up armrest retrofit instructions for the Countryman on YouTube as a reference***
Step 2: Remove the following rubber inserts: 2 cup holders and center rail. For cup holders, start at middle between both and rub your finger towards desired cup holder until a little bit lifts and then grab and pull out. For center rail, start from the rear.



Step 3: Remove screws holding center trim panel with T-20 Torx bit. 3 screws total. 1 in each cup holder and 1 in front of USB/aux port.


Step 4: Lift center trim panel lightly, disconnect USB/aux ports. Squeeze connectors.



Step 5: Remove shifter trim ring by unclipping from underneath center trim panel with a small flat head screwdriver. There are 2 clips total, 1 in front and 1 in the rear. You can also try to unclip from top by squeezing the ends 1 at a time but I find it easier to do it from underneath.


Step 6: Carefully detach gear shift boot from center trim panel by slightly pushing towards shifter and in.

Step 7: Disconnect cigarette lighter. Carefully just pull straight out making sure not to pull the wire but the actual plug.

Step 8: Remove center trim panel by rotating around shifter. Now you should have the center trim panel completely off and free.

Step 9: Remove USB/aux port by squeezing ends and pushing out

Step 10: Remove cigarette lighter: Here's the tricky part. Pop it loose by squeezing 2 metal tabs towards the middle of the cigarette lighter. Once loose, you have to rotate and push lighter out at an angle. This can seem quite frustrating and possibly impossible but trust me, just use a little force and it'll come right out just fine.

Step 11: Insert cigarette lighter into new center trim panel. Again do it at an angle and with slight force.

Step 12: Reverse order of instructions to install new center trim panel/ shifter trim ring and enjoy your bigger cup holders!



**********************************Update 5/26/2013**********************************
Pictures posted!

******Thank you kerrys914 for the photos!******

 

Yeah, pics and write up would be great!!!

 

great find!

photos when done please

scott

 

Sounds good. But, I'll assume it does not solve the problem with the center console space intrusion? I haven't had the passenger window down in ages - not even sure the switch is still there.

 

Actually, IMO it doesn't seem to intrude as much. I think the cup holders are moved back themselves a little.

Oh and on a side note, the new cup holders have rubber pieces to hold the cups instead of the spring loaded prongs, which is also more convenient.

 

I was thinking about this the other day when I retro-fitted a center arm rest. Write and pics are greatly appreciated! Good work!

 

Sweet. I have just made a request to my dealer for the parts.

 

That is pretty funny because that is how I got the idea too and went ahead to try it. I will get a write up soon with pics.

 

Sorry for the delay on the write. Haven't had time. I'm hoping to have it up sometime this week. Thanks for being patient.

 

Just ordered my parts, about 7-10 days for them to arrive and I can't wait for your write up and pics so I do it right!

 

bmrguy03, I can take some photos when my parts get in and I do the install. Send me a PM with your e-mail (if you need photos for your write-up) and I will send them to you as I swap out the parts.

Thanks for taking the leap on this.

 

Write up posted on original post! Enjoy!

 

can u post up a side by side pic of the old and new cup holder?

thank

 

This is the best I can do.

 

thanks

it does look bigger... time to order it b4 the dealer raise the prices on it... lol

 

Just updated my '12 to have the '13 cup holders

Very happy and was VERY easy (if you are okay with wrench'n).

I took a bunch of photos of my install and will try to get them posted to this thread.

 

I don't want to appear rude, but it looks like you Yanks have food in too large a quantity, super size me anyone! Think about it, maybe its not the car that needs changing.

The cup holders in the Euro version of the car fit a large shake / Soda (McDonald). Its a little tricky to get the bottom to drop in as its very snug, but it fits all the same.

Tab

 

Well, you do appear rude. You have now insulted Americans in two posts. Changing out the cupholders is not so much about the size as it is the design. The newer holders have rubber tabs, instead of hard plastic "fingers" that can puncture a cup.

 

Here you can see the size difference in the rubber pads ('12 and '13). The larger is 2013+

 

I'm with you. American fast food culture is pretty disgusting.

As someone else mentioned, the real problem with the old cupholders are the plastic tabs that don't like to depress and can punch a hole in your cup. My wife's Clubman has the rubber tabs and they work great. The spring loaded plastic tabs are over-engineered and don't work very well.

I'd like to switch to rubber tabs but keep the current cupholder size. I've never had a cup that didn't fit, aside from my Nalgene bottle, but I just lat that flat in the rail and it stays put.

 

I am not concerned with supersize cups. I enjoy my cup of coffee each morning with my morning commute. I have MANY travel cups, but only one fits in the car. And to be honest, it sucks at keeping the coffee hot. I just want a holder that can accept a good travel mug. (And a water bottle) I refuse to pay for Starbucks. I will be swapping mine out here in the near future. Funny thing is I actually found a camelback water bottle that fits a week or two back.

 

FYI, this mod cost me less then $60 and took 2 weeks to get the parts from Mini. Well worth the $60 and wait.

Best of luck

 

As mentioned before friend, you have us misunderstood. I too stay away from fast food and super sizes. However, the old design makes it hard to get a mug or Nalgene bottle to fit. Heck, even some water bottles were a hassle. Now with the new design, drinks fit a lot easier and are held in place just the same. Thanks for getting off the subject of this thread. Your input was not helpful in anyway, but all the more, happy motoring mate.

I too agree that this mod is worth the time and money.

Pictures posted on original thread!

 

I know that you may think of it as an I insult/rude, but its not meant to be that way, i'm trying to be objective. Looks like i touched a nerve.

Looking at the pictures is quite obvious there is the regular size cup holder & then there is the "super size me" cup holder! Tell me I'm wrong?

Mini really should look at this & design a holder that you can put various sizes of inserts to hold different objects, cups, flasks, flowers(vw beetle).

Yes the rubber holder works better in my opinion as I have them fitted as standard in my mini r56 cooper s, it just grips better. I don't ever see polystyrene beverage holders, only sturdy cardboard types. Here, Hot drinks tend to have a corrugated cardboard outer cover for insulation and its environmentally friendly.

Tab

 

There must be someone who sells tailored travel mugs specificity for car cup holders? Wonder if mini have them for sale at massively inflated prices that leave people feeling ripped off? Or maybe that's an opportunity waiting for someone to take up.