Center Console

[e28forever]

thanks for all the input, hrm...im thinking i might look into how much off the modular console is. Black98 yours doesnt look bad at all, infact, it looks about as off as mine is, ill take a look-see, and if the modular console isnt off by much i wont worry about it...id really love to have cupholders + arm rest...will make the 2hr trips home from college much easier...

[black98]

My first ti had no arm rest and really didn't like that I wasn't comfortable at all and then I got my blue ti with the arm rest and it makes it more enjoyable

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[ryszardsh]

Just FYI, about 6 weeks ago ECS Tuning had a good deal on the black armrest kit for a Ti- less than 100 bucks complete if memory serves. I got the kit and installed, easy job, fits perfect, all needed parts except the little tray part that goes in the hole behind the armrest. I found it sort of by accident lining up all the parts one by one to do the job but if you pull the part number for the black vinyl armrest kit and run that in the ECS site it will pop up. Dunno if they sold out by now...

RAS

[e28forever]

just found it, only problem is that it doesnt come with any cupholders :0

choices choices....comfort...vs the occasional discomfort when i do have drink in the car...i mean i put up with it in my e28 for 3 years

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by e28forever

just found it, only problem is that it doesnt come with any cupholders :0

choices choices....comfort...vs the occasional discomfort when i do have drink in the car...i mean i put up with it in my e28 for 3 years

I think you could purchase the cupholder/coin console separate or perhaps one from a standard e36 console will fit in the ti's.

[e28forever]

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-318...nsole/ES79536/

this is the one ecs has, now if my current coin&cup insert thing that attaches to the console (its a 2 piece deal on the plain jane one right) then im good!

[ryszardsh]

Originally Posted by e28forever

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E36-318...nsole/ES79536/

this is the one ecs has, now if my current coin&cup insert thing that attaches to the console (its a 2 piece deal on the plain jane one right) then im good!

Yep, that is it, the only other part you need is the armrest itself - however, the stock ti coin/cup holder will not fit into the holes on that armrest console. Me, I like the armrest so much I gave up the coin holder and got one of the little BMW cup holders that fit down into the door pocket - not cheap but they work well. Anyone reasonably skilled in wood could make a base to fit down into the front of the armrest console that would hold a cup nicely - I just went the lazy door holder route.

RAS

[e28forever]

ill do the door holders if i make the swap, im not sure a wooden cup holder would look all that great; function +10, asthetics -20, im goin for sporty/classy look with my car otherwise id definitely consider the makeshift cup holder

[wolferj-RIP]

Here is a couple of pics from the member who did an e46 center console w/armrest install...

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showpost....&postcount=210

[black98]

From experience you really cant use both cup holders. and if you were to use the one cup holder closest to the shifter it cant be much bigger than a can. the cups from the fast food restaurants are either to small and tip over or they are to big to fit in there. my .02 cents

[e28forever]

Originally Posted by wolferj

Here is a couple of pics from the member who did an e46 center console w/armrest install...

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showpost....&postcount=210

not really a fan of that, it doesnt seem quite kosher, and black98, u have a point, they are more of a place to put something rather than a cup holder

[black98]

yea if you look at my pic i have coins in there and thats about all i have in the cup holders.

[BlackBMWs]

I picked up two of the armreset kits, each for less then $100. Add an armrest from picknpull for $8 bucks, a new leather cover from ebay for $20 and a bottle of contact cement for $1.99. Well worth the upgrades.




A starbucks grande cup fits in the cubby hole and stays in place on the freeway or calmly around town. I just can't take any 1g turns without hanging on to it.

[e28forever]

that looks awesome bro! and thats what i was thinking, buy the armrest with the vinyl cover, then replace it with a leather one off of ebay for cheap, and as far as a cup holder goes, i just need something that a 32oz QT cup can fit in and ill be happy, but i guess i can always hold it between my legs. might get a lil cold tho

im buying one tonight, when i get it/get it installed, ill post pics

[e28forever]

Ao i got ma center console installed and i also installed 2 12v Aux sockets (1 for usb stuff, ipod, phone, etc; and one for a radar detector or whatever else i need in the future). and afterward i went to sonic and grabbed a drink and what do ya know, a 32oz cup fits great and doesn't move around a bit. on a side note, i installed my new UAS alarm system today and its so much fun to play with, if ur lookin for a aftermarket alarm system thats the way to go for sure!