okay so i picked up my mini from the dealership on saturday... and i am so in love with it... the only thing i can't stand is that gigantic cup holder that is an "add on" so people can fit their giant sodas, coffees and what not in their cars.

i thought it would be an easy removal, just one or two screws... but we tried to remove it yesterday and the screws came out, but it seems like it is stuck onto the car with double sided tape?

we were going to just pry it off, but it was hard to do so after only having the car for 3 days with less than 500 miles on it. i was going to wait to go to the dealer, but i just want it off!

does anyone have any good suggestions?

thanks!

 

remove the screws and pull from one edge (not straight off). Once you get the edge pulled apart....you can use a razor knife to cut the tape apart, but mine came off pretty easily (9k miles and nine months old). Clean up with some elbow grease and possibly a plastic-safe solvent.

 

Actually, it's normal sized. It just doesn't look that way in a MINI.

 

If you're afraid of prying it off, you might try running some fishing line across the top and using a sawing motion - kiind of like flossing your teeth - you can cut through the tape and then remove any excess with elbow grease and "Goof Off" type cleaner. Just take is easy so your don't scrape up the painted down post.

 

You're going to miss it once it's gone, but you can still remove it without all the above extra effort. Pull the bottom of the cup holder itself downwards, then out. The thing will slide out of the mount. The mount will still be there, so see how you like going without it for a few weeks.

That's what we did, then we remounted the cup holder to the base because the thing it too bloody useful for bottles of water, most travel coffee mugs (including the MINI cup), holding a cell phone or iPod more securely than tossing them on a shelf, etc.

 

Check out:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...2cup+holder%22

 

thanks everyone for the advice! i definitely already did remove the cup holder... i just need to get the other part off. i don't think i will miss it. i rarely drink too many things in my car.... i'm clutzy and would definitely cause spillage...

i will let you know how i make out!

 

Dental floss works well too... Remove the screws, 'cut' through the tape, roll off the residue and you're done.

 

I took out the actual cupholder but was stymied by the torx screws as I did have the proper tool to take them out. Couldn't find the right tool at Lowes, either, without buying a huge screwdriver/torx bit/allen wrench kit.

Maybe I should make another feeble attempt . What size torx bit is needed?

 

oops

 

Personally, I suggest you take that beast out and get the earlier model cup holder. It's more normal sized and can hold smaller object since the sides are solid. I use mine for my ipod or phone.

I took mine from my 04 and put it in my 06. The 06 holder was ridiculous.

 

The cup holder also works well for holding a wallet on long trips.

 

. . . or a Blackberry

 

www.minimania.com

 

thats it? you just tank the thing downwards? i want to take mine out sometimes, but leave the mount. can't figure out how to get the cup holder out of the mount though. i'll go try pulling it down

 

But where does the big gulp go?

 

My 03 came with a Minifini cup holder and I find it very useful and unobtrusive. I'd miss it, so not only does it stay, I think I'll try to find someone who pulled their's out an wants to get rid of it really cheap, as a backup.