Ti Armrest options

[Mic10is]

I looked through some armrest options on old posts

Does anyone have a part number to get the OEM console for the Ti that will fit other armrests?
I also have a 318IS, which I put in an armrest and it makes driving much easier, so I want to add one to my Ti

I contacted LeatherZ and he said that theirs are made for a Z not necessarily an E36 but some have fitted on in it.
Anyone have pics?


so what are my options

[Platanos]

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/products/BMW-3-Series-E21-E30-E36-E46-E90-E91-E92-E93/1999/318ti-Manual-Hatchback/INSTALLING-SET-ARMREST/1313832/51160136398.html

[tiFreak]

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2341&nojs=1

here's some pics for the Leatherz armrest

[jca]

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2341&nojs=1

here's some pics for the Leatherz armrest

Does this LeatherZ armrest fit an automatic ti ?

[tiFreak]

Does this LeatherZ armrest fit an automatic ti ?

yes, the console for the auto and manual transmissions are identical

[Mic10is]

yes, the console for the auto and manual transmissions are identical

thanks dude, that was incredibly helpful. that looks like a pretty nice armrest, almost as nice as factory and I like how u donot loose much if any functionality with the rest of the console

[projekt EPiK]

i picked up a 92 325i last year super cheap and parted it out. with a little figuring and a little cutting i created a hybrid of the ti and 325i console and armrest.

i'll have to take a pic and post but it looks great and hey the price was just right ;)

[Mic10is]

I actually just ordered the Ti retrofit console for an armrest from BMW dealer. its $90 but I have a 15% discount
then I'll grab an decent armrest off ebay or somewhere in the next few weeks

Dealer said there was only 2 on the east coast, and both were in their warehouse....

[Platanos]

I actually just ordered the Ti retrofit console for an armrest from BMW dealer. its $90 but I have a 15% discount
then I'll grab an decent armrest off ebay or somewhere in the next few weeks

Dealer said there was only 2 on the east coast, and both were in their warehouse....

I think that's the best option. I picked up a leather armrest at the junkyard for $3.00.

[Mic10is]

$3!!! wheres that junk yard, i gotta hit that up...i'll call off work for that!

[Mic10is]

Picked this up from the dealer today
$90 -15% discount = 76.50!! WIN

waiting on Armrest I won on Ebay for $20

So less than $100 for Factory Arm Rest:biggrin:

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-08125942.jpg


Will hopefully Install this weekend or early next week

[zoner]

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/products/BMW-3-Series-E21-E30-E36-E46-E90-E91-E92-E93/1999/318ti-Manual-Hatchback/INSTALLING-SET-ARMREST/1313832/51160136398.html

So the $90 retrofit kit + actual armrest are the only things you need to retrofit an armrest to the ti console? I'm assuming that the cup holders go away with this retrofit?

EDIT: Looks like black (schwarz) is the only color the retrofit kit is available in... :( (am I mistaken?)

[Mic10is]

So the $90 retrofit kit + actual armrest are the only things you need to retrofit an armrest to the ti console? I'm assuming that the cup holders go away with this retrofit?

EDIT: Looks like black (schwarz) is the only color the retrofit kit is available in... :( (am I mistaken?)

check with your dealer. You may be able to get other colors.
worse case, you get the black one and get some SEM color coat dye and spray dye it to match.
Most auto paint stores can even mix up an exact color match dye and you can spray it through an aerosol preval container.

and Yes it looks like Cup Holders go bye bye....so after I get mine in, i'll reevaluate which is more needed, an arm rest or a cup holder....

[Mic10is]

So I started with this, which was unacceptable
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-141156401.jpg

With the help of people on this forum, I picked up the OEM kit from my local dealer, which I posted a pic a few posts up.

Im impressed that the kit came with just about everything. comes with a template in case you cant figure out how much carpet to cut out...which is obvious bc the carpet is already perforated around the edges so its obvious what comes out

I was also impressed that the lower right front bolt was covered my a factory grommet bc the hole wasnt used bc there was no armrest in the car

so Kit came with all mounting hardware, bolts etc...

took about 15min give or take a few to install

and the Result is this
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-14123358.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-14123406.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-14123430.jpg

the Armrest and Ebrake cover I picked up on ebay for like $20bucks, its leather. came shipped from UK. I originally got for my 318IS, but I have a few months to get that car finished so i'll order another one.


so after sitting in the car for awhile....and not even driving it, I realized that NO I cannot live without a cupholder. I always have drinks with me

so after eyeballing the pieces. I test fitted the factory storage piece.
..then after a few careful cuts
I ended up with this

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-14125030.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-14125036.jpg

when I get a free Saturday, I'll make a couple more small cuts, tape it all off and fiberglass in the small gaps, texture coat and then color coat it to match.

DRIVING is So much better with an Armrest...

sometimes its just the little things that make driving more enjoyable.:biggrin:

[BlackBMWs]

Nice! I picked up the kit as well and was wondering where I would put my coffee cup... Good idea, I look at ideas as well. I suspect I'll have all my pieces in by next weekend.

Great job! :cool:

[Mic10is]

the original cubby would fit perfectly if it werent for the front drop off. but a lil fiberglass filler and some sanding will fix all that.
but Im happy with it so far

[Uber E30]

I had planned to just turn the cup holder around and chop it off just before the second cup area. I have never liked the idea of a coin holder in plain view, I have had my car broken into for less than 4 dollars in coins before. Sure I cant use the holder and the arm rest at the same time but it should look pretty clean and still allow me to transport a drink. You could even say that with the way the cupholder is in your example you cant use the armrest and anything larger than a can of soda at the same time.

[Mic10is]

30oz Coffee from Dunkin...no Issues with armrest usability and use of cup holder:biggrin:


http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-15185925.jpg

[Uber E30]

Looks like its right where my hand would go, maybe i have too much gangsta lean :)

[Whiplash71]

If you have the cup holder with "storage tray", use a z3 arm rest "insert."
The Ti "ArmRest" totally interferes with the basics of driving, just gets in the way. Stay low profile, you can toss it in the back seat if you get frustrated and if wanting to toss the car, won't impede your shifting.

[BlackBMWs]

Mic10is,

For the leather armrest retrofit kit:

I'm waiting for my kit to be shipped from Germany and have received my Black leather cover to either replace or cover the original tan leather. with the new cover over the old cover it fits snug. I'd think when I remove the old leather cover, the new one will be loose.

Did you remove the original leather cover or install the new leather over the old leather?

Thanks! :cool:

[zoner]

Mic10is, you need a leather parking brake handle (http://318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35766) to go with that new console...! :wink:

[Uber E30]

Mic10is,

For the leather armrest retrofit kit:

I'm waiting for my kit to be shipped from Germany and have received my Black leather cover to either replace or cover the original tan leather. with the new cover over the old cover it fits snug. I'd think when I remove the old leather cover, the new one will be loose.

Did you remove the original leather cover or install the new leather over the old leather?

Thanks! :cool:

I yanked my old cover off and the new cover fit pretty snug. I can take pics later if you like.

[BlackBMWs]

I yanked my old cover off and the new cover fit pretty snug. I can take pics later if you like.

That would be great, Thanks! :cool:

[BlackBMWs]

Hmmm... I too am putting in the armrest in my newly acquired 318ti. I'm just waiting for my kit to be shipped from Germany as they could not be sourced locally.

I also want the cupholder and as I look at Mic10s' idea, I thought, what if the new lower console was just cut and totally substitute and graft in the existing cupholder assembly. It looks like it would fit, retain the coin holder, fit under the lip of the shift assembly and the only seam would be in the middle where the old cupholder insert met the new piece where the parking brake is.

Advantages:

Lowers the overall height of the cupholder, reducing interference with the shifting motion.
Keeps the cupholders in roughly the same original location
Keeps the change holder
Fits under the existing center console/shift area lip


Disadvantages:

Cuts into a brand new console piece :eek:
Weakens the overall unit if not reinforced properly
May look funky if not done properly.


I figure the underside could be reinforced with a simple plastic or metal bracket and epoxied in place. Center seam could be filled and color matched. The actual armrest support bolts into the tranny tunnel so the altered piece is not load bearing. (Unless you put a HUGE drink in it... :wink: )

Thoughts? :cool:

[Mic10is]

I removed the original leather. Depending on who you get the new cover from, some give you more slack on material than others. I have done this 3 times, one from the UK had best fitment. This new grey/black on is a little loose but I also didnt use any adhesive yet.

I have a black one I did in my IS, that also has an integrated Alpine remote, which I used contact adhesive to adhere the whole thing and the fitment is much tighter and better overall.


as far as the retrofit cupholder.

There is no reason to cut the new Console piece. there really is no room under it to gain anything.
I looked at that option as well, bc it looks like the front storage area or whatever it is, in the New Console is too small to accommodate the cupholder from the original piece--but its actually bc that part sits lower than the rear portion, so cutting it gains you nothing except a big hole in a rare and not cheap brand new piece.

im probably going to cut mine at the coin tray and get some plastic filler and use the plastic I cut off and graft it in place to slope into the shift console. then sand it down and retexture and color coat it.

Word of caution----when using the rear cup holder, donot have a straw in the drink....the arm rest is kind of loose and not many ways to tighten it...so when u flip it up to get access to the cup holders or compartments under it...if you accidentally bump the arm rest the whole thing comes crashin down on the drink it front and if there is a straw in the cup..makes a nice big splash and sprays **** everywhere...........

um err...so ive heard....

[Mic10is]

Mic10is, you need a leather parking brake handle (http://318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35766) to go with that new console...! :wink:

I have a matching shift boot too...but it didnt look right:biggrin:

[Mic10is]

I was able to spend a half day modifying the cupholder so it integrates better. cut the coin holder out. grafted some ABS plastic and then fiberglassed, filled, sanded and texture coated the piece.

Im very happy with the results

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-24184127.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-24184035.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc241/Mic10is/2012-03-24184043.jpg

[Uber E30]

Nice work!

[tiFreak]

I was a little nervous when I first saw your pictures and what you were planning to do but that actually came out really well

[BlackBMWs]

Is that a stock piece? :rockon:

Nice job! Can I send you mine to alter the same way? :biggrin:

How did you alter the lower piece to accept the upper piece? Pics? :cool:

[Mic10is]

Is that a stock piece? :rockon:

Nice job! Can I send you mine to alter the same way? :biggrin:

How did you alter the lower piece to accept the upper piece? Pics? :cool:

I didnt alter the lower piece at all.
There was no need to at all.

The OEM cubbyhole piece w cupholders pushes right in. It leaves a gap on the front bottom sides, that you can see in the 1st set of pics I originally posted when I 1st installed it
That gap bothered me.

so I simply cut some ABS plastic to fill in the gaps. used superglue gel to hold it in place.
Then I used the front part of the OEM cubbyhole, that has the slant forward That I had previous cut off and I glued that in place at the front bottom.

from there, I scuffed everything up with some 40grit sand paper so fiberglass would stick to it.made some small holes and cuts where i needed to fiberglass, so it created an anchor when the resin seeped through the holes.

2 layers of 1.5oz fiberglass matting on the front side. some on the sides.
Plastic epoxy on the back part of the sides to insure they never moved.

then used body filler to fill it all in, sand it down smooth to 400 grit.

Then originally I tried to use some Rustoleum texture paint bc it had a really fine texture but it wasnt enough for me.
So i recoated it w Duplicolor bedliner spray and sprayed it from 3 feet away so I got a really fine texture.
once that dried, I used some Duplicolor Trim Paint to get the back color to match the rest of the interior.

[pi4ovete_84]

I recently purchased leatherz armrest. Looks good but it doesnt feel that good, its too low and I can barely touch it with my arm, even with the seat to the lowest level. The one on the picture looks higher.

[BlackBMWs]

Overall very nice job! It would be a great DIY if you had pictures of the process along the way. I'll work a similar bit I think, although I havent done any fiberglass work for lotsa years... Back in the day in high school, long ago.

On a different note, what type of adhesive did you end up using on the leather retrofit? I 'm thinking I need to shrink the leather piece I received and wondered if wetting it and placing in the dryer would shrink it at all. Easier to stretch it then shrink it.

Enjoy your great work!

I didnt alter the lower piece at all.
There was no need to at all.

The OEM cubbyhole piece w cupholders pushes right in. It leaves a gap on the front bottom sides, that you can see in the 1st set of pics I originally posted when I 1st installed it
That gap bothered me.

so I simply cut some ABS plastic to fill in the gaps. used superglue gel to hold it in place.
Then I used the front part of the OEM cubbyhole, that has the slant forward That I had previous cut off and I glued that in place at the front bottom.

from there, I scuffed everything up with some 40grit sand paper so fiberglass would stick to it.made some small holes and cuts where i needed to fiberglass, so it created an anchor when the resin seeped through the holes.

2 layers of 1.5oz fiberglass matting on the front side. some on the sides.
Plastic epoxy on the back part of the sides to insure they never moved.

then used body filler to fill it all in, sand it down smooth to 400 grit.

Then originally I tried to use some Rustoleum texture paint bc it had a really fine texture but it wasnt enough for me.
So i recoated it w Duplicolor bedliner spray and sprayed it from 3 feet away so I got a really fine texture.
once that dried, I used some Duplicolor Trim Paint to get the back color to match the rest of the interior.

[Mic10is]

I havent used any adhesive yet bc I'll probably flush a remote control for the head unit in it like my other car. For that one I just used regular Wellwood Contact cement that I brushed on liberally to both piece.
Then Superglued the edges

[BlackBMWs]

I havent used any adhesive yet bc I'll probably flush a remote control for the head unit in it like my other car. For that one I just used regular Wellwood Contact cement that I brushed on liberally to both piece.
Then Superglued the edges

Thanks! My kit came in yesterday so, it will go in this weekend. I realized the spare armrest I picked up for the ti is better than the one in my 325i, so I'll get two better armrests in the end. What do you think about wetting, then drying the new leather piece to get it to shrink a bit?

Thanks!

[Mic10is]

Thanks! My kit came in yesterday so, it will go in this weekend. I realized the spare armrest I picked up for the ti is better than the one in my 325i, so I'll get two better armrests in the end. What do you think about wetting, then drying the new leather piece to get it to shrink a bit?

Thanks!

Ive never done it but thats an interesting idea...go for it ! Guinea pigs are always needed:biggrin:

[jca]

I recently purchased leatherz armrest. Looks good but it doesnt feel that good, its too low and I can barely touch it with my arm, even with the seat to the lowest level. The one on the picture looks higher.


Does the leatherz armrest have any padding?

[Uber E30]

Sorry forgot to toss these pictures up, excuse the poor quality and the door panel hanging. I just finished fixing the regulator :) I didnt shrink mine and it fit fine, you can pull alot of the slack under as it gets covered up by the "plate" on the bottom of the arm rest.

http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc355/uber_e30/IMG_0452.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc355/uber_e30/IMG_0451.jpg

[BlackBMWs]

Sorry forgot to toss these pictures up, excuse the poor quality and the door panel hanging. I just finished fixing the regulator :) I didnt shrink mine and it fit fine, you can pull alot of the slack under as it gets covered up by the "plate" on the bottom of the arm rest.



O.K. Thanks! I assume you removed the original leather, then installed the new piece. :cool:

[Uber E30]

Yep took the old one off

[BlackBMWs]

Thanks Mic10is and Uber E30. Completed my install today. Easy job to complete. Way more comfortable.

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp105/BlackBMWs/BMW%20318ti/f0bf3db6.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/pp105/BlackBMWs/BMW%20318ti/0ade9ac5.jpg

I wish I had it in-place when I drove the car back from Portland. 600 mi. Now I just need a custom fit cupholder made from the previous parts. :cool:

[basanis]

Thanks Rich and Mic10is for this post

[BlackBMWs]

Hi Srini! Did you move your armrest from the 95 TI to your 99 TI?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Disast3r_Ti]

I definitely need this

[basanis]

Hi Rich, i am planning to swap this weekend.

[BlackBMWs]

Ok, easy job, let me know if you have any questions


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Strawman]

I find a one-liter Diet Pepsi bottle placed between the handbrake lever and the factory console makes a nice armrest... and mmmm mmmm mmmm good!