Ti Armrest options

[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

[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!

[zoner]

Mic10is, you need a leather parking brake handle to go with that new console...!

[Uber E30]

Originally Posted by 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!

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

[BlackBMWs]

Originally Posted by Uber E30

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!

[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
• 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... )

Thoughts?

[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]

Originally Posted by zoner

Mic10is, you need a leather parking brake handle to go with that new console...!

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

[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

[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