theworkerbee Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Bought a replacement armrest and had a bit of a stupid moment, undid the bolts for the bracket and then realised I can just take the armrest off and leave that bracket in place. Went to reinsert the two bolts that I had undone and neither would go in! Am I doing something wrong or is it another case of purchasing and using a tap and die set? Before I removed the bolts: Once I removed them: Bolts: I removed the bracket completely, removed the bolt sleeve and still couldn't get it to bite... I saw ///Marty DIY thread, would really appreciate some assistance. Noticed a member called CJGREEN also may had this issue, is he/are you still around? If so, please kindly tell me the solution as its driving me mad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avalaugh Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Slight hi jack, but I want to remove the centre armrest for trackdays, is it easy ? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theworkerbee Posted December 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Hey, very easy. Pop the gearknob gaiter up as there are 2 screws that hold the front in place. Open the rear ash tray slider, pull the insert up and there are 2 plastic screws, then pull this up, there are 2 more screws then the centre console will be free. Lift the handbrake gaiter, you do not need to remove it, it will go through the hole in the center console with some careful manoeuvring. 5-10 min job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerFish Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 You can also get a shorter centre console without the slot for the arm rest too. I have one in mine, and it's the best thing I've done for day to day drivability of the car. No more dislocating my wrist to change gear! To the OP, no idea, sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theworkerbee Posted December 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Ahh Trigger I was hoping you would be one of the members that would know lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerFish Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 Nope, sorry. I remember the bolts being a bit of a pain, but theyve always gone in without needing anything doing for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avalaugh Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 Triggerfish could you post some pics of this please, may look into buying one, drives me mad Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerFish Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 49 minutes ago, avalaugh said: Triggerfish could you post some pics of this please, may look into buying one, drives me mad Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-e46-Centre-Console-Genuine-/322324899658?hash=item4b0c0fa74a:g:12kAAOSwh2xX-6l5 You do need a small bracket to allow it to secure to the handbrake bolts, but it sounds as though they're included in that sale. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Ripping out the armrest was the second thing I did to my 2nd e46, after ditching the carbon cube! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avalaugh Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 That's great, but I need a grey one Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avalaugh Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 Does this look right ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371696864870 I presume my cup holders, ash tray etc will all fit in this one ? I've found a seller with a new one as this looks shagged Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriggerFish Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 Yep, looks right. And yeah, it's all the same, just shorter to accommodate the lack of arm rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R11CH Posted December 19, 2016 Report Share Posted December 19, 2016 4 hours ago, avalaugh said: Does this look right ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371696864870 I presume my cup holders, ash tray etc will all fit in this one ? I've found a seller with a new one as this looks shagged Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I removed my armrest as i found it got in the way, loads better with out. I purchased mine from Bmw, wasn't all that expensive and trying to find a genuinely decent condition used console is hard to come by! TriggerFish and theworkerbee 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theworkerbee Posted December 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2016 Aby tips with the armest bolts R11CH? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R11CH Posted December 20, 2016 Report Share Posted December 20, 2016 3 hours ago, theworkerbee said: Aby tips with the armest bolts R11CH? Afraid not, mine was all good. Did they come out fine ? Not been cross threaded before or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theworkerbee Posted December 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2016 Not sure about previously, but they came out fine. Someone advised putting the handbrake down and then retrying, I am pretty sure its an alignment issue, but not sure what needs to be moved around to align it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theworkerbee Posted December 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2016 All done, lowered the handbrake which gave me a few mm to manoeuvre the bracket to align everything up. TriggerFish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
