Think I Found Another Cost Cutting Item

[BobsM3Coupe]

I was wondering why my 2010 M3, when the exterior lights are turned on, the cigarette lighter ring is illuminated but not the ashtray. Not that I smoke, but sometimes I do keep some coins in there. So with the rainy weather today, I decided to take a look and see if the little bulb/led may have popped out of its place to light the ashtray. I opened up the top center console and looked at the bottom of the ashtray. I could see the spot where the light should be attached to the ashtray, there is even a clear lens on the ashtray to allow the light to shine through it, but evidently BMW decided to save a nickel and eliminate the ashtray light. I even traced the wires from the connector plug to the ashtray/lighter and they are all in the correct spots. I was hoping that the ashtray wire with light may have just gotten tangled up at assembly.

Like I said, to me it's no big deal. Just thought I would mention it to save anyone else who might be looking for the ashtray light the time and trouble.

Now my car was built at the end of 10/09. So I bet all 2010 and 2011's don't have the lit ashtray.

Anyone with a 08-09 want to check and see if their car has the light?

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

I was wondering why my 2010 M3, when the exterior lights are turned on, the cigarette lighter ring is illuminated but not the ashtray. Not that I smoke, but sometimes I do keep some coins in there. So with the rainy weather today, I decided to take a look and see if the little bulb/led may have popped out of its place to light the ashtray. I opened up the top center console and looked at the bottom of the ashtray. I could see the spot where the light should be attached to the ashtray, there is even a clear lens on the ashtray to allow the light to shine through it, but evidently BMW decided to save a nickel and eliminate the ashtray light. I even traced the wires from the connector plug to the ashtray/lighter and they are all in the correct spots. I was hoping that the ashtray wire with light may have just gotten tangled up at assembly.

Like I said, to me it's no big deal. Just thought I would mention it to save anyone else who might be looking for the ashtray light the time and trouble.

Now my car was built at the end of 10/09. So I bet all 2010 and 2011's don't have the lit ashtray.

Anyone with a 08-09 want to check and see if their car has the light?

My ashtray is lit, and I have a '10. So something doesn't sound right.

[H2C]

So you're saying the wiring is all there, but just no light at the end of the wire?

[dwangvlee]

i have my light. take your car to the dealer, they'll replace the bulb

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by H2C

So you're saying the wiring is all there, but just no light at the end of the wire?

The wire for the bulb isn't there. The wires that are there go to the lighter and that's it. That's why I thought BMW eliminated it.

Maybe the E90's still have it. But my 2010 E92 has the lighter lit up but not the ashtray itself.

[thai357sig]

2009 e90 and I do have the light. Maybe it is just for the sedans, but I doubt it. It would be remarkably cheap for BMW to omit for the coupes.

[aznclickster]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

The wire for the bulb isn't there. The wires that are there go to the lighter and that's it. That's why I thought BMW eliminated it.

Maybe the E90's still have it. But my 2010 E92 has the lighter lit up but not the ashtray itself.

I checked my ashtray and it look like there was no bulb/ LED in my MY2011.5 E92.

[dpsfm3]

I have a light, it's also quite bright esp after removing the actual lighter itself. So if you don't see it, you prob need to replace the bulb or there may be a wiring issue...

Edit - let's clarify what you mean by 'a light'. I have an orange illumination, not a light as in a reading light.

Thanks

[besiktas]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

The wire for the bulb isn't there. The wires that are there go to the lighter and that's it. That's why I thought BMW eliminated it.

Maybe the E90's still have it. But my 2010 E92 has the lighter lit up but not the ashtray itself.

I have 2010 M3 i dont have the light. i just have the ring around the lighter

[Trier Germany]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

I was wondering why my 2010 M3, when the exterior lights are turned on, the cigarette lighter ring is illuminated but not the ashtray. Not that I smoke, but sometimes I do keep some coins in there. So with the rainy weather today, I decided to take a look and see if the little bulb/led may have popped out of its place to light the ashtray. I opened up the top center console and looked at the bottom of the ashtray. I could see the spot where the light should be attached to the ashtray, there is even a clear lens on the ashtray to allow the light to shine through it, but evidently BMW decided to save a nickel and eliminate the ashtray light. I even traced the wires from the connector plug to the ashtray/lighter and they are all in the correct spots. I was hoping that the ashtray wire with light may have just gotten tangled up at assembly.

Like I said, to me it's no big deal. Just thought I would mention it to save anyone else who might be looking for the ashtray light the time and trouble.

Now my car was built at the end of 10/09. So I bet all 2010 and 2011's don't have the lit ashtray.

Anyone with a 08-09 want to check and see if their car has the light?

I have an April 09 build And I don't have an ashtray or lighter. Just a small storage in it's place. I guess my car came with the non smoker Pkg?

[DeepSeaLandry]

I have a button that sends me back in time....J/K, '08 E90 ashtray light - check!

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by besiktas

I have 2010 M3 i dont have the light. i just have the ring around the lighter

Thanks. That's the same as my car. Sounds like the E90's still get the tiny led that lights up the ashtray itself, along with the ring around the lighter.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by dpsfm3

I have a light, it's also quite bright esp after removing the actual lighter itself. So if you don't see it, you prob need to replace the bulb or there may be a wiring issue...

Edit - let's clarify what you mean by 'a light'. I have an orange illumination, not a light as in a reading light.

Thanks

My car has the ring around the lighter illuminated. It just doesn't have the small led light for the ashtray itself. But another post stated his 2010 E92 is the same as mine, so sounds like its normal.

[JohnnyRoaster]

Originally Posted by Trier Germany

I have an April 09 build And I don't have an ashtray or lighter. Just a small storage in it's place. I guess my car came with the non smoker Pkg?

I have an April build 09 as well. They eliminated the ashtray for just a couple of months for some strange reason. I think the sunglass tray is lit but I will check.

[dpsfm3]

OP -- so what other cost cutting areas do you know of aside from the one discussed in this thread. You did mention "another" in your title...

thanks

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by dpsfm3

OP -- so what other cost cutting areas do you know of aside from the one discussed in this thread. You did mention "another" in your title...

thanks

Off hand, the front seat back storage nets, no flashlite in glovebox, the 2011's
now have some real cheap vinyl sunvisors compared to the 08-10's, elimination of the dark band of tint across the top of the windshield on the LCI 09-11 E90's. Up till the LCI on the 09 cars, they all were pre wired for the alarm. Now if you don't order the alarm from the factory, if it can be done, it will cost a king's ransom. There are more, I just can't think of them right now.

But BMW isn't the only one cutting corners, all manufacturers are doing it.

[formgen99]

my 2011.5 didnt come with the tire goo like my 09, just the air compressor. unless its hidden somewhere

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by formgen

my 2011.5 didnt come with the tire goo like my 09, just the air compressor. unless its hidden somewhere

Why would they give you the compressor but no tire goo? What good is that?

[AMPowerJ]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

I have an April build 09 as well. They eliminated the ashtray for just a couple of months for some strange reason. I think the sunglass tray is lit but I will check.

+1 Strange ...

[lux]

No ashtray light on my 2011 e90, just the light around the lighter.

This new mod just saved me a couple grams of wasted weight. I can feel my 0-60 times have improved already.

[besiktas]

any pics of the ashtray with light?

[aznclickster]

Originally Posted by besiktas

any pics of the ashtray with light?

+1... I am going to ask my CA and/or SA tomorrow when I go to the dealer