R60 Bigger cup holders for 2011-2012 owners
#1
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!******
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!******
Last edited by bmrguy03; 05-26-2013 at 08:47 AM.
#4
#5
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.
#7
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#17
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
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
#18
The following users liked this post:
Stephanie Kunic (02-02-2020)
#20
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
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
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.
#21
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.
#23
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
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
I too agree that this mod is worth the time and money.
Pictures posted on original thread!
Last edited by bmrguy03; 05-26-2013 at 08:49 AM.
#24
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
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
#25
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.