I have a super cool 06 R53, grey/blue leather interior. Got my baby one week ago. I really want to install an armrest, seems to be the only missing element. I use my Mini for day-to-day driving and am obsessed with having an armrest. Looked at a company's website "Wood Company Italy" that seems to have a nice selection, bad part is that when ordering the instructions are in Italian. Question one, would a totally black armrest look odd? Question two, do you have any recommendations? Question three, know of a good site or place to get a good armrest. I have researched on this site and am still at a loss. Any and all feedback is appreciated!!!!

 

Mini made, I think, 3 different armrests for the gen1 cars....
I have a euro version with storage...mounts to the seat rails...good match (it is oem), good fit..and is removable if I.ever want to take it out. Good height and size.

There is the version that was mounts the the side of the seat...sold as the optioal us armrest...retrofittable...
There are several aftermarket ones that are nice in the mini...you tend to loose the rear cupholder on most of the aftermarkrt ones....
A search should get you many pre tested options for gen1 mini...
Several vendors have them still around....and a few nonvendors like mossmini still have lots of gen1 parts...
I would hate to try to get product support from Italy if you have an issue...esp since there are/were at least 5-6 options avalable domestically that fit/work well.

 

PS
Some mini oem parts, such as the armrest I have, along with the euro parcelshelf (replaces the oem part under the steeringwheel/kneebolter area with another mini part that adds storage space, but does not take away cabin space) must be bought "gray market" as mini does not sell than in the us...the result of us crash testing rules....still they are oem parts, oem built, fit and quality, just not officaly supported in the us. Some retailers in the us offer them....they are bought in europe, then shipped here so prices tend to be kinds hi.

 

Really appreciate your help Zippy. I like the look of the armrest you have, is it sturdy? I have seen them advertised around the $300.00 price range plus shipping. Not sure black will look good with my color scheme. Anxious to install one, just want to make sure it is correct. I assume yours has the mini logo.

 

Yup...black leather on top...pleanty stiff/sturdy...mini logo printed on the case..
check outmotoring or mossmini...there are a few other gen1 options..long before mini admitted many folks wanted an armrest, several places were selling pretty good aftermarket ones...they are still around. The reviews are too...just use the google site search...the built in search on this site only goes back a couple years...
Motoringfile had several stories on the different armwrests...pro/cons...might be worth a few minutes of searching.

 

Mini-fini or the outmotoring ones are options...
outmotoring has them both...cheaper, and the outmotoring one will match colorwise I think...trying to remember the 3rd aftermarket one....moss might still sell it.
the mini oem ones are $$....for $169 or the the sftermarkrt ones are not bad.

 

You convinced me Zippy. Been researching and decided on the OEM like yours. I guess I needed a little push. Found it at MiniMania with a 15% discount. A pricey option, but my Mini deserves it. Can't thank you enough!!!!