I just purchased a factory armrest from another member for my 2009 R56, but had a problem when trying to install. When I removed the cupholder from the rear of the console, the guts of the console are totally different from that of the factory armrest models. There's nothing to bolt it to. I spoke to the parts folks at my local Mini delaer, but they were of no help. Does anyone have any ideas? Is there another part that I can purchase for the inside of the console that will accept the factory armrest? I REALLY want to be able to install it.....

 

Go to this site: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=MF72&mospid=49645&btnr=51_6288& hg=51&fg=35




Best idea might be to connect with someone replacing their 'slide-top' armrest with the European Version (see link in my sig). They would need the parts that you are replacing etc..

 

Thanks for the great blown-up diagram!! That helped alot. I need to take it to the dealer and see if they can figure out what they need to order for me (and then hope it's not too much $$). That euro armrest looks good, but I still like the looks of the factory one better. Wish I would have ordered it with the car! Thanks again!

 

I patched two diagrams from two 'realoem' pages to show both the armrest and console parts on one drawing.

Perhaps the member that sold you the armrest might also have the console parts, hard to imagine removing the armrest and not also changing the console.

If you open the website linked above the diagrams, you will see in the list below the different p/n's for items 5, 9, etc. listed; depending on with or w/o armrest option.

I have never needed anything from realoem, but thought you could place a direct order on that site. Some of the NAM Vendor Dealers (Morristown MINI?) are reported to discount parts to NAM Members.

 

http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...mpaign=Emailer

Anyone have any experience with this one? There are two arm rests with "Euro" in the name. The other is boxier and mounts with two legs. This one says it mounts in the rear cup holder.

 

I had this arm rest for my 06R53, Maggie, and was completely happy with it. This rest felt rock solid when leaned on, whereas the OEM version felt quite squishy without real pressure. The MiniFini was very easy to install (pictures here) and complimented the interior and driver's position perfectly. Since Maggie's been stolen, I'm considering a R56 MINI and would get this arm rest immediately. Hope this helps.

Cheers!!

 

Perfect. Thanks for the pix.

I take it the installation can be done by a careful novice at this sort of thing.

R

 

I sold my OEM (slidetop) armrest to strobeyprobey here, who wanted it ... removal was easy: a socket set, an extension, and a handful of Torx bits (T20, T30, T40) will do it.

If you find someone who's getting rid of their R56 OEM armrest in favor of the euro version, and you didn't buy the OEM armrest installed, you need the recycled armrest PLUS items 3, 16, 17 (left and right), 20 (x2), and 19; these are the "heavy-duty bracket" and "new cupholder parts" to replace items 2 and 14 on your R56 MINI. I suspect that the upgrade/aftermarket kits include those extra parts, but someone online here just getting rid of their slidetop armrest may not have those other pieces (about $50 total at a reasonable dealer, like MorristownMINI) to send to you ... so check first.

 

The only hard part of that install was taking all those darn pictures!! There was some confusion in the instructions but it wasn't rocket science. I'm actually looking forward to doing this again because then I wouldn't be MINI-less.

Cheers!!

 

I will report back here how my install goes of the armrest when I receive all the parts!

 

Well I just ordered those five parts from Morristown Mini. $56 shipped.

51162752961 $0.60

51162752960 $0.60

51162752954 $12.90

51472754964 $8.30

51166954277 $19.51

 

Just occurred to me to watch out carefully to the different fasteners and screws, like the two number 20 screws for the covers.

 

Thanks for all the info!! I'd like to know how simple it is to remove the console and install the armrest. Let us know!! Looks seemingly simple....

 

Just found this link

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...61&hg=51&fg=95

The armrest retro-fit part list.

 

Man, I wish I would have found that link awhile back!! I've nickeled and dimed it and gotten the parts all in possession (almost), so hopefully I'll get them installed in the next week or so. Thanks!!

 

I still like the euro style MINI armrest the best.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

It was the cheapest i have found it.

The dealer wanted $350 installed for this for 10 min- worth of work

 

this is the one i have. the only problem is that it sags...not a level armrest (not mine at least) so i used a bunch of felt in the jam to level it.

 

can you show us what you mean? How does it sag?

 

i'll see if i can get a pic. basically it's an issue with how it's built. where it folds down there is too much space so if you imagine it being 90 degree's up the back and over the top, it drops below. i'd say it was a 75-80 degree if you put a protractor on it.

so imagine closing a door and in the door frame adding maybe 5mm of felt to prevent it from it's closing position

 

Has it always been that way or did it develop over time?

 

right off the bat

 

ok, that sucks. Why can't MINI produce a normal well working armrest?

 

it really isn't a problem but yea. mini has a lot of dumb faults like this. an arm rest should be standard. it shouldn't be flimsy at all so you can lift yourself on it and the door arm rest like a normal car. i really do appreciat the mini ness but when it imposes on function it's dumb. kinda like the non-auto open roof. it's like the purposly do crappy jobs on parts

 

I received the armrest from basil49 yesterday. I do like the look the look of this one better than the Euro style one. As soon as I start tearing into the center console and receive the rest of the parts from Morristown Mini. I will report back!!!

 

cool you can see mine in my gallery. there is an interior shot that shows it