Armrest Fix?
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It's about $200 and installs with the two inside, rear bolts that hold your seats in. Very simple. But if you already have the OEM armrest you also have to buy the basic center console piece (about $30) and that's pretty easy to install too.
I sold my OEM armrest and replaced it with the Euro. It remains as one of the best mods I've done. Perfect form and function.
I sold my OEM armrest and replaced it with the Euro. It remains as one of the best mods I've done. Perfect form and function.
#7
After seeing MINI_Bee's setup at the fall Dragon run, and seeing how superior it is to my OEM POS armrest, I've been envying his for two months. Minutes ago I ordered all the parts to convert mine over. It'll be worth it - it's one of the few peeves I have with my car after 14 months and 26K miles... and I'm gonna kill it.
Thanks Jack for the great idea.
Thanks Jack for the great idea.
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Minspeed has it for $190.
http://www.minspeed.net/MAR.htm
Outmotoring has it for $199.
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...h_storage.html
And yes, it will fit in the 2007 cabrio.
http://www.minspeed.net/MAR.htm
Outmotoring has it for $199.
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...h_storage.html
And yes, it will fit in the 2007 cabrio.
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Don't see how MINI could void warranty for removing a factory part and replacing it with a factory part. The Euro armrest is not officially made for the U.S. market but it's still a MINI part. And to install it all you do is use two existing bolts (seat bolts). Not much risk there.
I have the bluetooth option and there is a bluetooth adapter in there that I am not using as my phone already has it built in. Will removing the armrest cause any issues with bluetooth? Or more importantly, will Mini tell me the car is no longer under warrranty for one little mod?
#14
I have the bluetooth option and there is a bluetooth adapter in there that I am not using as my phone already has it built in. Will removing the armrest cause any issues with bluetooth? Or more importantly, will Mini tell me the car is no longer under warrranty for one little mod?
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It is higher than the U.S. OEM armrest, which is another advantage. It looks great, has a larger storage compartment, stays closed, flips out of the way, can actually be used as an armrest and allows you to actually use the rear cupholder.
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I don't know that it's possible to show it in pictures. For me it was this:
1) Too low for using as an actual armrest
2) Storage compartment so small that is is practically unusable
3) Compartment lid slides open on its own when driving
4) Rear cupholder rendered useless for anything other than a can of soda.
I liked the way the stock armrest looked too. It was the functionality that made me switch to the Euro.
1) Too low for using as an actual armrest
2) Storage compartment so small that is is practically unusable
3) Compartment lid slides open on its own when driving
4) Rear cupholder rendered useless for anything other than a can of soda.
I liked the way the stock armrest looked too. It was the functionality that made me switch to the Euro.
#20
Yep - works in the 1st gen cabrio - that's what Mini_Bee has...
I think the height thing is a bit subjective - depends on how high you sit in the seat, how long your upper arm is, etc. In my case, I have a BUNCH of extra padding on my tush, so it's like I'm always sitting on a phone book.
So that jacks me up high enough that the original armrest is too low to be useful. And I don't have unusually long upper arms to compensate. Mini_Bee and I might be in the same club in this regard.
You skinny guys/gals with little butts and long arms might do just fine using the regular one as an armrest...
kgardnez - if you want the "stock" one - I'll have a full setup to sell in a few weeks...
I think the height thing is a bit subjective - depends on how high you sit in the seat, how long your upper arm is, etc. In my case, I have a BUNCH of extra padding on my tush, so it's like I'm always sitting on a phone book.
So that jacks me up high enough that the original armrest is too low to be useful. And I don't have unusually long upper arms to compensate. Mini_Bee and I might be in the same club in this regard.
You skinny guys/gals with little butts and long arms might do just fine using the regular one as an armrest...
kgardnez - if you want the "stock" one - I'll have a full setup to sell in a few weeks...
#21
You mentioned that if you had the original armrest, you also needed the basic center console piece for $30. Can that also be ordered from outmotoring.com ? The dealer says they can't get the Euro armrest or install it anymore... I guess I'll get to do it myself! Thanks for this great info!
#23
My fix
I had the same frustration with the armrest and after messing with it for about a week, sliding open, sliding shut..etc.... ARG!
I finally figured out the trick!
When you open the top the back end of it actually slips off of the track.
You can actually feel the back end of the top of the armrest when "closed" and feel how it is not quite "snapped" shut.
In order for the armrest to stay closed do the following:
Open the top, grasp the back of the top and slide it shut so that it grabs the track properly. You have to actually lead the back end of the top into place on the track.
Once it is seated properly it NEVER slips open again. Until you manually open it that is, and then once again you need to follow the same procedure.
Seeing as I never open it, I never have to worry about this once I have it closed properly!
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You mentioned that if you had the original armrest, you also needed the basic center console piece for $30. Can that also be ordered from outmotoring.com ? The dealer says they can't get the Euro armrest or install it anymore... I guess I'll get to do it myself! Thanks for this great info!
If you currently have the OEM sliding armrest, you need the parts below to do the Euro armrest install. If you have the standard center console with NO armrest, all you need is the Euro armrest, a torx socket and about 1/2 hour of time.
The Euro armrest is available at Minspeed. I know he has them because I was in his store a few weeks agon and saw them there.
http://minspeed.net/MAR.htm
Parts:
CENTER CONSOLE
Part #51-16-7-130-767 (in panther black)
(If you need a different color console the part number will be different)
TRIM RING, PARKING BRAKE CONS. CHROME
Part #51-16-7-127-912
(If you need a different color trim ring the part number will be different)
BRACKET, HANDBRAKE CONSOLE
Part # 51-16-7-131-830
CLICK HERE FOR PART DIAGRAM
Keep in mind the parts I'm showing are for an R52. These parts may vary for R50 and R53. Use RealOEM.com to search the parts for your MINI.
#25
I had the same frustration with the armrest and after messing with it for about a week, sliding open, sliding shut..etc.... ARG!
I finally figured out the trick!
When you open the top the back end of it actually slips off of the track.
You can actually feel the back end of the top of the armrest when "closed" and feel how it is not quite "snapped" shut.
I finally figured out the trick!
When you open the top the back end of it actually slips off of the track.
You can actually feel the back end of the top of the armrest when "closed" and feel how it is not quite "snapped" shut.