Where a phone mount can go on the BMW 3 Series depends on the age of the car. The 2022 LCI facelift moved to a curved iDrive 8 display that spans the dashboard, so pre-LCI cars are laid out differently. The M Sport steering wheel is also thicker than the standard one, which matters for any wheel-mounted accessory.
Frequently asked questions
Are the pre- and post-LCI 3 Series phone mount zones different?
Yes. The 2022 LCI facelift moved to a curved iDrive 8 display that spans the dashboard. Pre-LCI cars had two separate screens with more empty dash between them for adhesive mounts. Post-LCI cars need mounts placed lower on the centre stack or on the vents.
Are the vent slats horizontal or vertical?
Horizontal on the centre vents. Universal vent clips need to be horizontal-slat-compatible.
Does the G21 Touring’s separate glass-hatch tailgate affect anything?
Only in the boot - it does not touch phone mount placement in the cabin.
Is CarPlay wireless on every 3 Series?
Yes on every UK G20/G21 trim from launch. The phone mount is for viewing angle rather than physical connection.
One thing many buyers miss
The M Sport steering wheel is thicker than the standard Sport wheel; steering-wheel-mounted phone accessories designed for a standard rim can grip too loosely on M Sport. That is a wheel-mount consideration rather than a dash or vent mount, but worth flagging on the 3 Series.
How to check before ordering
- Confirm your car is pre-LCI (2019-2022) or post-LCI (2022-onwards).
- Vent slats are horizontal on both - use horizontal-compatible vent clips.
- Every G20/G21 has factory wireless charging on the console.