Is there an aftermarket "solution" to the problem of the ridiculous cup holder that is sticking out of the center console in my new 2005 MC Cabrio? I would like to remove it and put something else there before one of my passengers accidentally rips it out with their leg (and half of the center console with it).

Ideally there would be some kind of replacement that would basically make it look like the cupholder was never there.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

I started a way too long thread on this subject about a month ago.

In summary, remove two screws and it's gone with out a trace. Put existing screws back in (they will fit.)

You will find the other cup holders are useless. For long trips I might get something like this:

http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NM.../InvDetail.cfm

edit to add: Oh, BTW, welcome to NAM....:smile:

 

You know the funny thing is I have a 04 & 05 cupholder in my 04 MC and neither one is very good. I just think the last item the designers of the MINI decided needed to be there for America was the cupholder. So it doesn't really seem to fit or function very well.

 

Do you have this Moss cup holder? I was wondering how stable it really was once slipped onto the floor mat.

I have a friend who was asking about cupholders and I don't know of anybody w/ actual experience w/ this particular product.

 

I'm quite fond of this one

http://www.mini-stuff.com/Merchant2/...egory_Code=NEW

easy to pop off if it get's in the way...look good. the brushed metal matches a brushed Whalen really well - and costs almost as much!

Oh yes - I readily admit, this will not hold a 55 gal drum of coffee or bubbles, but does fine with a can or 12/16 oz bottle

 

After weighting the pros and the cons, consulting with my engineering budies, running computer models and a few visits to a psychic, I decided to remove the infamous cupholder from my Cabrio. No regrets. Not even for a second. Plus I prefer to leave my drinking in the hands of proffesionals. My friendly neighborhood bar tender.

 

Well, I actually like the 2004 add-on cup holder. . .

 

LOL Mine came off before I left the lot, sold it here for $50 shipped. Put an ad up and you will do the same in afew minutes.

 

My solution:

I (...or my passengers) never, ever eat or drink in my MINI (...too busy shifting, steering, and hanging on!), but I can see where a cup holder would come in handy on a road trip.

 

I like the look of this one too, but I haven't broken down and bought it yet. Dow does it attach in the existing cupholder?

 

I'm still amazed how many people don't Adventure in their MINI's. Getting out of the car every time you want to eat, drink, pee, whatever...must be spending more time out of the car than in it.

I especially like the functionality of the goofy cupholder, and the rubber "sphincter" that conforms to the size of your wallet, cellphone, or big gulp during your adventures!

Yes, it is SUPPOSED to look freakishly out of place. I'm sure Mercedes are great sedans, and they're very "nice" but how bland!!! You can make your MINI interior look just like that by quickly removing that cupholder!!!

 

I've already emailed my MA letting him know that when my MINI gets there, to make sure it is NOT installed.

For me, the MINI for driving ... If I wanted a drink I'd go to Wienerschnitzel and try and win another MINI. :smile:

 

I suppose people who don't want to drink in their MINI could rip off the other 5 (yes, FIVE!!!) places for cups/drinks in addition to the goofy one.

 

The "Holder" occasionally sees a cup but it sees a lot of other things and holds them well. Sometimes napkins, wallets, cellphones and maps in any combination as well as anything I need to get out of my hand, quick. The pre '05 ch's suck in comparison. Now, if I could just figure out where to put this Big Gulp...

 

Tarzan, do you really pee in your car??!!

 

I just don't care for those things (it's even in my signature).... A bottle of water is the only thing that might find its way in my car on a long trip but that's it.
A driver's car shouldn't have any cup holder. Thank god Ferrari still doesn't have any...

 

In reality, no. I have had a passenger tell me it nearly scared the pee out of him after a high-speed romp through some twisty back roads, though.

 

The holder has a large cup and a small cup. The small cup slides into the dash {non} cup holder perfectly....It fits same as the ashtray. The larger cup holder then hangs off to the side of the shifter. The dash holder is still open, just a little smaller in diameter. Still able to hold change, cell phone etc. There are no screws - held in by the rubber friction tabs. To remove - pull up.

I don't like to keep it on the driver side so am happy with 1.

If the seat is all the way forward it does get in the way. But on the rare occasion I'm gonna slide the seat all the way forward, I just remove it...mostly to save my leather from getting scuffed.

One of the first goodies I bought...having been SO frustrated with no cup holders in my 79

 

Thanks. Still thinking about it. I would only get one, too.

 

Its useful. :smile: I bought one for my '03. Holds my iPod at a perfect angle.

 

I like this new 7 cup holder for the MINI...

http://www.sunshineminis.org/forums/...pic.php?t=5524

 

Blah blah blah...a "real driver's car" doesn't need a cupholder...blah blah blah.

Sure the MINI is fun to drive, but some of us actually drive it as a regular car sometimes! (Gasp! The horror!) Every moment isn't red-lining, cornering at speed, and quick-braking.

For those "normal travel" times, some of us like to have a cup holder.

 

Love your car seat cover. Where can I get one?

 

The cupholders that come with the 05 mcs just plain blow. They are not even level and the second you hit a bump they spill. Unbelievably bad engineering.