I like center arm rests, and I like that it also gives an extra place to stash stuff. I was considering adding one to my MINI (although it is way down on the list)... but my husband raised the point that it might get in the way when shifting.

What are your opinions on the arm rest?

 

It was one of the first things I added to my build.

I'm 6'2" in an R56 manual.

Oh, and I'm edging up on 29,000 miles with it. I have the European style one (I believe) that opens up rather than slides like the regular from-factory ones. My only complaint is that you'll eventually mark both the underside of the armrest and the top of the e-brake handle when you use the brake since they make contact.

 

Although mine is an automatic, I really don't care for the arm rest and have thought about finding a delete kit for it. I'm pretty tall and I think its too low...

But then again I really don't like having more than the essentials in the car...

 

I would think "deleting" it should be pretty easy. Have you tried looking at install instructions for it? It has been a few weeks since I glanced at them, but it seems like all you had to do was remove a couple bolts so the seats could slide further forward, and then add some bolts to secure the arm rest to the same tracks the seats were on. Seems like it would be just as easy to remove it.

 

I thought it would be pretty straight forward too... But apparently once the armrest comes up and out there are some missing panels in the consul, which come in a delete kit... At least thats how I understood it to come apart... Maybe there is someone who has done it before that can straighten me out on this if I'm mistaken....

 

Im 6' 250 and I have the sliding armrest... The armrest is great other than everytime I shift I nudge it with my elbow and the thing opes up. I really wish I had the european style that lifts open. It seems to be a much better design. I ended up superglueing the lid closed on my slider... Problem Solved!!! It would be ice to use it but it just bothered me to bad it always opened up.

 

When I ordered, my MA told me to let them do the armrest install of the European style because of so many complaints about the sliding top factory one. Probably the best thing the guy told me.

 

I hate armrests. Period. And I hate the factory armrest more than any other. But that's just me.

 

Yeah, He definately saved you fom some hassle. I hate the slider... Its horible. Cheaply made and the mechanism that keeps it closed is the problem. If they had a cheap fix it would be fine. When I first got in the car it opened on me just from setting my elbow on it. I really wish Mine had the european style. I just dont want to come off the $220 for it...

 

Armrest is great. I'm on my 2nd "slider" and haven't had any problems with them opening accidentally... For those that do/have: is that something that developed over time, or was it always that way? Wondering if perhaps they've made them harder to slide in more recent years, or if they just take time to wear (my experience has been with 2010/2011 armrests).

Position-wise, I'm 6' with a 34" inseam (more leg than torso) and find the armrest is positioned perfectly for me to rest my elbow on it with my hand on the shifter. I wouldn't want to be without it.

 

I like the armrest..........don't like the lid sliding open unintentionally.

 

I have manual and armrest and it does not get in my way at all. My Dealer installed mine, and its NOT the sliding one, it lifts up. Not sure if this is the Euro model or not.

The only think it does get in the way of is adjusting the seats. the side control are right where the arm rest is, so its a real pain, but since I don't adjust that often, I can live with it.

 

Thanks for your responses. Hmm... it seems that people who like arm rests generally like the MINI arm rest aside from the fact it slides open easily. Maybe I should order the flip top kind then.

Although I did just realize the arm rest will probably make it difficult to get to the rear cup holder, which I actually use sometimes when I have cups/bottles that are too large for the front cup holders.

 

Flip top definately... The slider is horrible... DO NOT ORDER THe slider. You'll hate it. The flip top is also made a bit better I think.

 

You can still reach it still pretty easily. I can blind slide a bottle or drink cup into it without mishap, and that's with two kids in the back. Just up, back, then down.

 

I think the driving position in a MINI is hideous. You sit too high in the damn thing. If they wanted to make it perfect, they'd have to lower the seat down further, lower the armrest and shorten the gear shift. That would make it perfect.

I also agree about the annoyance of having the handbrake right underneath. It's a bit annoying reaching for it in a weird manner. Audi A4's have the same issue.

 

I have no trouble reaching the back cup holder with the flip top arm rest.

 

Love mine.

 

I've had two Minis with armrests. I'm 6'3" and have never had a problem shifting with it. The one in the R53 seemed to stay closed better than the R55. It is slightly annoying that it opens so easily but it doesn't move when I just put my arm on it. If your main issue is with hitting your arm on it while shifting, I wouldn't worry about it. Go to a dealer and ask them to let you test drive one with an arm rest to see how it will be when you drive it.

 

I have the factory ordered armrest on a 2011. They may have made changes as mine is not easy to open. This may change as it is used.

As far as shifting is concerned I rest my arm on it as I shift. The length of throw allows me to shift primarily with my wrist.

The complaint I have with it is the non-adjustability of height. It's a little too low for me.

gary

 

I have the oem slider type with a manual tranny. It suxs! Definately dont get the slider. It never stay locked. It slides open when you shift and can be very distacting. Plus if you adjust your seat height up a little, the arm rest with interfere with the seat belt lock.

 

I have the slider type OEM armrest. I like mine. I am always on long trips and it is nice to have it there.

 

I have the slider armrest with my Auto S. Seems to stay closed pretty well. Wish it were a little higher though.