After taking a couple of road trips, I've added an arm rest to my wish list. What do you guys think about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MINI-...QQcmdZViewItem

The reason I ask is because I've had many bad experiences on Ebay. Things don't always fit, etc. Have you guys heard of this brand?

If all things in the world were perfect I would buy what's at the bottom of this page:

http://www.gtt.uk.com/PoshMini.asp

But if I'm reading that right, it's almost $600.

This one's pretty cool too.

http://shop.vendio.com/crowderscusto...457/index.html

Are there any other arm rests I should look at?

 

The ebay one looks like a lot of other armrests for the MINI, and the company is the first I've seen with 100% positive feedback. I wish I could get the GTT one though. And without the kit in it, it is only $450. I wouldn't touch the universal one. That's where the problems begin.

 

Check this thread where I installed my Mini-Fini arm rest. Other arm rests, like the generic versions and even the OEM, seemed too cheap/flimsy to me, IMHO. They'd bend when leaned on; sorta like the arms of office chairs. Mini-Fini's version, on the other hand, feels very stable and doesn't flex. Dunno if four points of attachment to the frame of the car has much to do with it. I would expect the GT Tuning to be solid, too; however, with the exchange rate being what it is, waaay too expensive.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Cheers!

 

I have that eBay arm rest, it's pretty nice as far as color. That company actually makes those I think, or at least they make the bases. If you look at their other auctions, they have the same arm rest for tlike 50 different cars, just with a different, ABS base. The base does feel a little cheap and you attach it with 4 screws into the e-brake housing. If you want some more pics, just let me know and I can tkae some. Overall it's not a bad arm rest.

 

Thank you for your comments. I've looked around a little more, and I think I would like to get one that doesn't require me to modify the exterior console (drill holes, etc.). The TVA Elbow Landing Device arm rest looks pretty good. Does anyone know how solid it is? And how it installs? BTW...Poppa Bear has some detailed instructions on how to install the Mini-Fini, which is still tempting as well. Check his gallary. Nice job Poppa Bear.

 

I've gone thru some armrests. My dog loves riding and uses them as a launch pad/step pad from the back seating area to the front and vice versa. The arm rests that use the screws in the rear cupholder soon wobble and become useless, and my dog only weighs 25 lbs.

I now have the Elbow Landing Device in both my MINIs, and have had them in for 2 years in my Cooper and coming up on 1 year in my '06 MCS. Both were easy to install. Just slide each steel bracket under the emergency brake housing and connect the pad to the bracket holes with the attached thumbscrews. The bracket can be slid forward or backward to accommodate anyone's elbow. For the price [around $50 or less], it cannot be beat unless you are one of these people who crave armrest storage space, as well.

 

I've had one for over a year. Fits great & looks good with non leather black.

 

I DRIVE A STICK AND THE ARM REST IS IN THE WAY
i drive with the arm rest pushed up and out of the way

 

More armrests ...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/interior-...your-mini.html

 

I had the MINI OEM armrest that came with the Premium Package and although it looked fine, it really wasn't functional. The storage was very minimal and the sliding cover was a PITA. I replaced it with the Euro armrest.



I ordered it from Baum Automotive in Germany and it was about $190. I recovered the cost when I sold my OEM armrest. I did have to spend about $50 additional for parts to swap out the ebrake console though. Installation is simple. You just remove the two rear bolts on the front seats and slide the legs of the Euro armrest under the rails, then put the bolts back in.

 

Thanks! Glad to be of some help and hope that you find something that you like!

Cheers!

 

are you talking about the OEM US arm rest?

 

So there I was looking around trying to figure out which one to order when I ran across this on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ARMRE...2012QQtcZphoto

It looks like it's actually sold by MiniMania who I've bought stuff from before, so I trust them. It also appears to be the TVA Elbow Landing Device for $29.99 with free shipping. ...so I bought it. You can't beat that deal, and it looks like they have quite a few more if anyone else is looking for one. Thanks for your comments everyone.

 

I have the ebay arm rest and I am very happy with it. The mounting seems a bit mickey mouse but it works and I haven't had any trouble with it . I thought if was reasonably priced at 85.00 US

 

got your PM....and believe it or not, mine is found here, about $300 or so :(. I think I paid $120 shipped for mine, but that was over 3 years ago.

http://www.designparts-gmbh.de/de/detail/25





But that is an option for you if you wanted something like what you saw in my car.

cheers
Jon

 

This is definitely my favorite MINI arm rest. I wish it fit the '05-'06 models.

 

MiniSuperCooper,

Glad to hear that you found an arm rest that you like. Hope it works well for you.

Just be sure to come back and let us (and others who are considering an arm rest) how the install and usage for you works out: the good, the bad and the ugly!!

Cheers!

 

The armrest would be right in the way of my arm while shifting. Am I the only one who keeps both hands on the wheel at 3 & 9 o'clock all the time save my fast shifts?

 

I think I will have to agree with My2ndMini. I wish I had the courage to remove the arm rest completely on my "not-yet-paid-for" MINI. It gets in the way of fastening the seat belt, and makes the cup holder even more non-functional than it already is. Just my $0.02

 

The orginal arm rest is a royal PITA!

1. It should be set a bit higher.
2. It interferes with the drink holder (rear)
3. The sliding top is not good.
4. Storage is for chewing gum or a pen. Then you lose it and can not get it out.

Please do not waste your $$ on it. The bottom one looks great but that is way too much for an arm rest.

 

This installation is simple. The only reason I'm posting it is because before buying this arm rest I had no clue what it actually was. I could find only one pic on the internet, and that's the same one that's on their site. I'm attaching three pics...please forgive my dirty car. It's been cold, icy, and snowy for a while, and I haven't had a chance to clean it.

The first pic is of one of the brackets that support the arm rest. There are two of these. (There is a total of five pieces to this kit: Two brackets, Two Hand Screws, and the Actual TVA Elbow Landing Device )

The second pic shows both brackets installed. They're fairly easy. The passenger side just slips right in, but the drivers side was a little more difficult. Not sure why, but it caused me to scratch the console. ...so be careful. If you look closely you can see two holes at the top of each bracket. You aline these holes and stick the hand screws through. Then screw them into the two holes on the bottom side of the Landing Device. Didn't take pics of this, but it's pretty cut and dry. (Make sure you put the laces toward the back. I finished it and thought it looked kind of funny. Only to realize it was on backwards. No biggy though. Just unscrew the screws and turn it around. In fact, I was on the road heading for a concert to listen to some sweet jazz, and the position was bothering me. When I stopped to get gas, I unscrewed it again and adjusted it. Very simple.)

Once this is all done, you have what's in the third pic.


As you can see, it's not an exact match for the interior, but it's pretty darn close. It feels solid too. It was a little annoying at first, because I kept bumping it as I was shifting. ....but once I got use to it, it wasn't bad. The one big thing that bothers me is the fact that you have to shove the brackets under the console. It's kind of a weird feeling, because the plastic must be bent a little in the process, and it stays bent permanently in some places which is a little eary to me. Also, I have no clue what kind of things the bracket might be bumping into underneath the console, so you have to push it under there, and hope for the best.

 

Oh yeah. Here's where I scratched the console. I found a thread that talked about hiding scratches: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=65115

They talk a little about using a grease pencil. I think I'm going to give it a try next time I get a chance.