///Marty Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 For anyone who hasn't already got an arm rest, i'd definately recommend it. I did this mod in my E36 and all E39's have them as standard. I'd forgotten how nice it feels and how handy it is for change and stuff! First up is removal of the old one. few screws holding it in place but pretty simple to do. The two screws that hold the front of the console are underneath the gear surround, so this needs to come off. Pop the gaitor off (i found it easiest to start at one corner and work the rest out, and remove the handle by giving it a good pull! - try not to hit yourself in the face or knock your interior mirror off at this point as when it goes.... it really goes! Lift up the surround, disconnect all the window switches and the whole thing will lift up and will be out of your way: Next up is removing the handbrake gaitor, this can be unclipped and lifted out the way: Next up is two screws at the front of the unit which are usually concealed under the gear surround, and two hidden beneath the ash tray at the rear. Open up the ash tray and pull it out of the way: In order to fit it, the armrest needs to be split first. Remove this plastic trim first: and you can acess the bolts that seperate the rest from the console: In the car you'll need to remove this section of carpet: To reveal the locating bolts for the rest: There is a small pice of plastic covering up this one which needs to be removed: There is one bolt at the back underneath the rear ash tray and two in the front, the one with the socket on is a PITA to get to but worth doing as it stops any sideways movement in the rest: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
///Marty Posted November 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Got myself a slidy cubby bit from the stealers as the original one that came with the console was a bit marked: It's the perfect place for the ipod - much better than my old location in the glovebox: Put back the ashtrays etc - and voila!: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Nice write up mate, this should help some people out Welcome back to the armrest club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allan k Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Nice write up mate, this should help some people out Welcome back to the armrest club nice write up there mate,and a very easy mod to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveapop Posted October 31, 2009 Report Share Posted October 31, 2009 hi all, just new to the site and was looking for some info on centre armrest installation, ive viewed the above thread but have an additional fitment problem. I have a 2000 model 330ci coupe and have just purchased a armrest and console off ebay from an 2002 cab if im not mistaken, upon removing the centre console and attempting to fit the replacement i noticed that the new console is actually longer and the screw fastenings on the back of the unit dont line up with the bracket which attatches to the back of the handbrake assembly, the only initial fix i can see is to fit a longer bracket? Does anyone know if this is the case or is it just not a suitable fit? Any help much appreciated Thanks, Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringy93 Posted October 31, 2009 Report Share Posted October 31, 2009 Welcome to the forum steve Im not sure if the cab and coupes are the same I know the coupe and saloon are because mines from a saloon. IIRC i changed the bracket which bolts to the handbrake assembly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aly Posted October 31, 2009 Report Share Posted October 31, 2009 As far as I know a saloon one or coupe one won't fit a cab!!! And ViceVersa... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
///Marty Posted October 31, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2009 As far as I know a saloon one or coupe one won't fit a cab!!! And ViceVersa... X2. I'm afraid cab and coupe fitment are different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aly Posted October 31, 2009 Report Share Posted October 31, 2009 I've just bought one... for the DIY Marty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
///Marty Posted November 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 No problems Aly, Its very straight forward and feels soooooo much better with one fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringy93 Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 x2, makes it loads nicer to drive. Plus i got my leather one for just over £5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aly Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 £5??? That's a bargain... I paid £26, for centre consol and arm rest! Hopefully it fits lol... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrimja Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 I didn't realise that some didn't come with armrests! Couldn't live without mine...though it could do with being a tad longer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
///Marty Posted November 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 just over £5 I paid £26, God damn it! Those are both excellent prices, mine cost me £50 from fab direct at the UBMW show 2008. Worth every penny though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringy93 Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Well i got a vinal one dirt cheap from a scrappers (£22) who didn't know what they were worth. Then i got a leather one with the roller shutter tray of ebay for a good price (£44). Put the vinal one on ebay and it went for a woping £61 so the leather one ended up costing me £5. If only all mods were that cheap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
///Marty Posted November 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 If only all mods were that cheap Indeed, could do with some coilovers for my track slag can you go ask your local scrappy if he has anything? I have 50p to spend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aly Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Thats great! I bought a Vinyl one... Needs a little tidying up though! Hope its worth it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aly Posted November 3, 2009 Report Share Posted November 3, 2009 Thanks again Marty... Fitted it today and well chuffed with it! Was in great condition... Just needed a wipe with bleach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbieV Posted May 18, 2010 Report Share Posted May 18, 2010 Just for info - The cab armrest does fit the coupe, did this job today and its really great having an armrest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psy Posted May 19, 2010 Report Share Posted May 19, 2010 Marty, great write up and good pics - how much was the new slidy cover though from the dealers? Mine is all marked too and spoils my 'immaculate look' interior Thanks, Si Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
///Marty Posted May 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2010 Just for info - The cab armrest does fit the coupe, did this job today and its really great having an armrest Cheers for the update RobbieV - thats good news to anyone thinking about doing Marty, great write up and good pics - how much was the new slidy cover though from the dealers? Mine is all marked too and spoils my 'immaculate look' interior Thanks, Si Dirt cheap Si, £21.53+vat - minus 10% for being a BMCC member. Well worth it to tidy up the centre console. Mine will be up for sale at some point when i upgrade to the I - phone holder but won't be for a few months yet as i am waiting for the new 4g one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xavster Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 Hi Can someone just confirm that the armrest and console from a saloon will fit a coupe? I've found one for sale, but the seller says it won't fit. Does it require any modification? Thanks Xavier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 Just realised I never said thanks for this DIY. Did it on my old 318 and was very easy to follow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoupeDave Posted July 27, 2011 Report Share Posted July 27, 2011 Fitted my £41 Ebay bargain armrest / console today. Tad fiddly job but simple enough if you take your time & well worth the effort Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny330i Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Could someone clarify for me ... when you say leather arm rest, is the centre console bit covered in leather also? Mine is covered in the same soft stuff they used on the dash finishers and is in a poor state, was the leather one an upgrade? Thanks, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
