Can anyone describe the changes that were made to the armrest and doorbars from 2004 to 2005? I just purchased some leather doorbar covers from Redline and they don't fit. By the way, the quality is very good but in my case (2005 Cabrio) the leather that goes around the door handle is much too long. They may be the wrong covers and I know that there was a change in design from 2004 to 2005. Thanks.

 

The 2002-2004 door handles/arm rests are different in the following ways.

2002-2004 the bars are straight
2005-2007 the bars are bowed toward the center of the car, you can actually rest your arm on them.

2002-2004 the arm rest pad is not very long,
2005-2007 the arm rest pad goes all the way to the back of the bar itself covering the rear most screw hole.

2002-2004 The pad is held on with three pins on top and screws on bottom.
2005-2007 the pad is held on with a clip that is under the pad itself.

Your problem sounds strange as the Cabrio would have the longer pads than the 2002-2004. Pictures would really help in figuring this matter out.

2002-2004


2005-2007

 

Thanks for the information. I am pretty sure that Redline sent me the covers for the earlier model. I assume that the door handle was a little bit thicker also. They asked me the year of my MINI but must have made a mistake.

 

They are not really any thicker.

I would contact them and send them a picture of what you are working with. Perhaps there is a trick to putting them on.

Good luck.