UK car missing storage compartment below light switches - Is this a factory error?

[ClawHammer]

So I collected my M4 cabriolet 2 weeks ago and my friend collected his M4 coupe a couple of days after me. I have a little storage area under the light switches but my friends coupe has a "blank" there. Neither of us have any of the driver assist options so there are no buttons there on either car. Is it it normal to have the cubby blanked out?

Here's mine: -





And here's a bad image of my friends. Will try to get a clearer one later.



Thanks,

CH.

[Karlj]

Is this not Extended Storage?

[ClawHammer]

Originally Posted by Karlj

Is this not Extended Storage?

Well I didn't order extended storage. I ordered the through loading system on mine but can't see that they would add a cubby in the front with that option.

[CanAutM3]

First time I see that area blanked out. I have the storage compartment on my M4 coupe. Could this be a cost cutting measure?

[ClawHammer]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

First time I see that area blanked out. I have the storage compartment on my M4 coupe. Could this be a cost cutting measure?

I'm not so sure. I contacted BMW customer service and they think it's wrong and said to go to the dealership. I'm just amazed that this could happen if it is wrong.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ClawHammer

I'm not so sure. I contacted BMW customer service and they think it's wrong and said to go to the dealership. I'm just amazed that this could happen if it is wrong.

The question is, why do the parts that eliminates the storage compartment even exist?

Until now, I had just assumed that any 3/4/M3/M4 that did not have the driver assistance options would have the compartment there. Perhaps there has always been a blank area there on lower end 3/4 Series sold overseas, but I wasn't aware of it. If that's the case, then I would say this is likely an error. If it's not the case, then this may be a new, running change to cut costs on cars that don't have the switch panel installed there.

Originally Posted by Karlj

Is this not Extended Storage?

Could be I suppose, although if so, the OP got a freebie (unless perhaps it is standard on F83 but not on F82). I've never been exactly clear what that option entails. All US bound F3x/F8x vehicles have the option as far as I know so its not something that gets much coverage around here nor is there much awareness about it.

[ClawHammer]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

The question is, why do the parts that eliminates the storage compartment even exist?

Until now, I had just assumed that any 3/4/M3/M4 that did not have the driver assistance options would have the compartment there. Perhaps there has always been a blank area there on lower end 3/4 Series sold overseas, but I wasn't aware of it. If that's the case, then I would say this is likely an error. If it's not the case, then this may be a new, running change to cut costs on cars that don't have the switch panel installed there.



Could be I suppose, although if so, the OP got a freebie (unless perhaps it is standard on F83 but not on F82). I've never been exactly clear what that option entails. All US bound F3x/F8x vehicles have the option as far as I know so its not something that gets much coverage around here nor is there much awareness about it.

I think it's not there on 4 series cars hence the need for the blanking plate. I just can't find any evidence that it's part of a package in the M cars. I can't find another M car that doesn't have the cubby yet still find it hard to believe this could be missed in the manufacturing process.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ClawHammer

I think it's not there on 4 series cars hence the need for the blanking plate.

I'm fairly sure its there on all the cars that come to the US, but like I say, it could be optional in ROW. So you may very well be right.

I can't find another M car that doesn't have the cubby yet still find it hard to believe this could be missed in the manufacturing process.

Mistakes along these lines do happen. It's not common, but certainly not unheard of.

[washy]

I have just had a look on the UK configurator and on the F82 it is an option, part of the £155 extended storage pack. This option does not exist on the F83, so assume it is standard on the convertible.

Extended storage

£ 155.00


The Extended Storage package includes a compartment with lid on the driver's side, bags on the backs of the front seats, 12-V sockets in the rear of the centre console and in the luggage compartment, a storage net on the luggage compartment floor, two bag holders in the luggage compartment, a strap for partitioning the luggage compartment and a segmented storage tray under the luggage compartment floor (M4 models only).

[ClawHammer]

Originally Posted by washy

I have just had a look on the UK configurator and on the F82 it is an option, part of the £155 extended storage pack. This option does not exist on the F83, so assume it is standard on the convertible.

Extended storage

£ 155.00


The Extended Storage package includes a compartment with lid on the driver's side, bags on the backs of the front seats, 12-V sockets in the rear of the centre console and in the luggage compartment, a storage net on the luggage compartment floor, two bag holders in the luggage compartment, a strap for partitioning the luggage compartment and a segmented storage tray under the luggage compartment floor (M4 models only).

Thanks for looking that up Washy. Clearly you know more than BMW UK but that doesn't surprise me. I'll refer my friend to the configurator before he storms into the dealership demanding a total refund due to a lack of this storage compartment.

[gblansten]

Whoa I thought the extended storage option was just one of you joking around.

[washy]

Originally Posted by gblansten

Whoa I thought the extended storage option was just one of you joking around.

Nope sadly all true...