Shocknaue Deep Dive: The BMW Travel and Comfort System, Including the Tablet Holder
Enhancing the in-car experience for passengers, particularly during longer journeys, is a key focus for modern luxury vehicles. BMW’s Travel and Comfort System is designed precisely for this purpose, offering a range of modular attachments that connect to a dedicated port located on the back of the front seats. While the presence of this port is standard on certain models like the X7 (except in some overseas markets where it’s an option or tied to specific seat types), the real value comes from the accessories that plug into it. As part of our ongoing coverage at Shocknaue Entertainment News looking at automotive tech and lifestyle, we take an in-depth look at the system and its most popular attachment: the Bmw Travel And Comfort System Tablet Holder.
Understanding the BMW Travel and Comfort System
The foundation of the system is the discreet slotted port positioned near the USB-C connection on the rear of the front seats. BMW offers several attachments designed to click securely into this port, providing convenience and entertainment options for rear occupants. Our review of the system components reveals a consistently high standard of build quality. All pieces feel remarkably thick and sturdy, constructed from robust materials designed to withstand significant pressure and daily use. This addresses potential concerns about the attachments breaking if accidentally bumped or jostled, whether by passengers entering/exiting or during cargo loading. While the secure click-in mechanism is effective, we found that removing the attachments can be quite challenging, requiring firm pressure on two release buttons simultaneously while pulling forcefully. This removal process could certainly benefit from improved design for easier handling.
The Star Accessory: The BMW Travel and Comfort System Tablet Holder
Undoubtedly the most sought-after attachment, the Bmw Travel And Comfort System Tablet Holder is also perhaps the most confusing, given the various models and “Safety Cases” BMW offers. These cases are specific to certain tablet models and are intended to be used with the holder. However, based on user experience, the holder itself often accommodates tablets without the need for an additional case.
We tested the “Universal Holder for Tablet Safety Case,” part number 51-95-2-408-224.
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…se-51952408224
Official image of the BMW Universal Holder for Tablet Safety Case
Crucially, our testing confirmed that a 2020 model 10.9-inch iPad Air fits perfectly in this universal holder without a specific safety case. Even with a bulky Otterbox Defender case on, the fit was secure. The holder’s clamp arms feature strong springs, gripping the tablet firmly with no concern of it becoming dislodged due to road vibrations or bumps. When installed, the tablet is positioned conveniently for a rear passenger – easily reachable, with simple access to the adjacent USB-C port for charging, and offering a good viewing angle for watching videos or playing games. This makes the bmw travel and comfort system tablet holder a highly effective solution for in-car entertainment.
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Exploring Other Useful Attachments
Beyond the tablet holder, the Travel and Comfort System includes several other practical accessories.
The Folding Table Attachment
Another popular item is the folding table, part number 51-95-2-449-252.
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…em-51952449252
Official image of the BMW Folding Table Travel and Comfort System attachment
Matching the system’s overall quality, this table attachment is also very robust and solid. Its surface area is modest, comparable to or slightly smaller than an airline tray table, limiting its use for extensive work or spreading out large items. However, it’s perfectly sized for holding snacks, drinks (via the fold-down cupholder ring), or small activities for passengers.
BMW Folding Table Travel and Comfort System shown folded up against the seatback
The table conveniently folds up when not in use, staying relatively flat against the seatback without needing to be removed entirely, a useful feature for passengers who might find removal difficult. The ABS plastic construction appears easy to clean, a practical consideration for dealing with spills or sticky messes.
A significant point regarding the folding table is its height when attached directly to the seatback port. Despite having an adjustment slide on the back, even at its highest setting, the table rests directly on an average-sized passenger’s lap. This makes it uncomfortable or unusable for most older children or adults when installed this way.
The Headrest Base Carrier: Solving the Table Dilemma
Fortunately, BMW offers a solution to the table height issue: the Headrest Base Carrier, part number 51-95-2-183-852.
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…er-51952183852
This base piece clips between the vertical supports of any suitable headrest. Its spring-loaded mechanism ensures a firm and secure attachment that doesn’t interfere significantly with the passenger in the seat ahead (beyond preventing the headrest from being fully lowered, which is rarely done).
When the folding table is attached to this headrest base carrier instead of the seatback port, its height is significantly improved, lifting it off the passenger’s lap and making it far more usable for various passenger sizes. The headrest base also allows attachments to be used in locations without a seatback port, such as the third row in some vehicles, or in vehicles without integrated ports but with compatible headrests. This configuration also works well for positioning a tablet using the folding table as a stand, offering an alternative to the dedicated bmw travel and comfort system tablet holder if preferred.
The Coat Hanger Attachment
The Coat Hanger, part number 51-95-2-449-251, is a surprisingly clever accessory.
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…er-51952449251
Its unique feature is the ability to detach the upper hanger portion from the base that plugs into the T&C system. The hanger itself includes a retractable hook at the top, allowing it to be used in a standard closet. This design means you can prepare your garment on the hanger indoors, carry it out, and simply click the hanger onto the pre-installed base in the car without needing to remove the entire attachment.
The Universal Hook
Lastly, the Universal Hook, part number 51-95-2-449-253, is the simplest attachment.
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…ok-51952449253
Official image of the BMW Travel and Comfort System Universal Hook
This piece provides a simple hook point to hang items like bags. It serves as a good illustration of the system’s release mechanism; the image clearly shows one of the buttons that must be firmly pressed to release the attachment from the seatback port, highlighting the challenging removal process noted earlier.
[internal_links]Conclusion
The BMW Travel and Comfort System offers a range of sturdy, well-built accessories designed to enhance the passenger experience. While the secure click-in is robust, the difficulty in removing attachments is a notable drawback. The dedicated bmw travel and comfort system tablet holder stands out as a highly functional accessory, securely accommodating various tablets, often without the need for additional safety cases, and providing excellent positioning for in-car entertainment. The folding table, while solid, is significantly more practical when used with the headrest base carrier rather than directly in the seatback port. With clever design elements like the detachable coat hanger and simple utility from the universal hook, the system provides valuable options for rear-seat convenience, making journeys more comfortable and entertaining for passengers.
References
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…se-51952408224
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…em-51952449252
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…er-51952183852
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…er-51952449251
https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part…ok-51952449253