We didn't get one (went for other stuff instead), but now I'm wondering if we need one. For those of you that did: Is it cramped with the e-brake right there or not? Anyone else not have one? It's probably something I can buy later, right?

Thoughts?

 

It is a little cramped! Every time I crank the brake I hit the console. It's a bit of a fight for your elbow if you have a passenger who wants to use it too! Other than that I'm very happy I got it. I can't stand not having a place to lean my elbow!!

 

For me, my legs are short so I have to sit up a bit anyway, and since I can't move the arm rest at all, it ends up being too short for me to actually use. If I could move it back for the back passengers and give myself more room upfront, I would.

 

So does this mean you would have been okay if you hadn't ordered it? Does it cramp the front?

 

In my opinion, the center arm rest only works it you have an automatic. I retrofitted one on my manual 2003 Cooper S and it got in the way of shifting and putting on the hand brake. I decided not to get one in my Countryman. In my wife's auto Clubman, on the other hand, it's totally fine.

It would be nice if you could mount an armrest on the rail and slide it forward for long trips, but from what I've heard the rail mounts are too flimsy to support your arm weight since they're all plastic.

 

It is smallish but adequate for storage, can be rocked into an "up" position out of the way if you need and I find that it does not get in my way. That being said, it is an easily ordered addition so you can get a feel for it first without.

 

For me the armrest works OK. For manual shifting in normal driving it is slightly in the way, but I've learned to avoid hitting it. If I do any enthusiastic driving or autocross, etc. I would fold it up out of the way. Still glad I ordered it.

 

I have it in a manual countryman and I wouldn't be happy without it...

 

With or without, I think I'd be fine either way. It does come in handy to rest my phone on when it's plugged it.

 

I have the arm rest,i don't care for it.
It definitely makes phone and sunglasses access very difficult.
Maybe i'll change my mind when and if i buy the iphone dock,but for now it's a pain.

 

Works great for me. Wouldn't have it any other way. And it provides extra storage to boot!

 

Hummm now I feel like I need one. Is it something that just "snaps" into the rail - or does it need to be installed? I guess I'll start to look around to see if there are any deals, although most likely I'll just buy one at the dealer after I get the car.

edit to add: I found this one which seems like I could install it myself instead of taking it to mini -and since I don't have mini connect etc. I don't need to hook ups for it.

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...n_armrest.html

 

I have an auto so the e-brake dose not come in play, it hides the I-touch which is in the rail below.

 

It is a little cramped but I would be very unhappy without it.

 

I have a manual CMS, I'm 5'11", 180# and I think the armrest is comfortable, convenient, hides my i-pod, good little storage cubby, so I wouldn't be without it.

 

If I'm driving I like the front armrest, and I appreciate the space to collect gas receipts and hole my GPS when not in use. If I didn't have it I'd be looking for something similar.

My other driver is smaller and doesn't like it, so she flips it out of the way when she's driving. She keeps her sun glasses in the holder under the armrest.

 

What are you supposed to plug into that multi-pin/rf mini cable port under that plastic shield in the armrest? It looks like a connection from the future?

 

Yeah I can't live without it, so it was a must and good palce to store simple thing out of the line of site. Check around if you by it after market, it does require unstall but in is not rocet science and you can probably find it cheaper out of the dealer. I just bought the mudflap form theminipartstore.com and they were quick shipping and have a discount code in the aonnoucement section. Good luck

 

beauxgoris, I purchased that same armrest and adapted for a 2nd armrest for my rear passengers. I actually removed the front one seeing I couldn't find the correct snap in cradle. A few months later reinstalled it, the extra room was nice but my lazy elbow got tired. Now with the correct cradle, both my phone and elbow are happy. You'll need to install the cradle, it does not just snap in the rail. There is a mount with threaded holes were the supplied bolts will secure the armrest through the rail into that mount. Believe I have some pictures of the armrest in my gallery. Happy motoring

 

I like the armrest. A driving without one there is annoying in my opinion.

 

I too am pretty short and have to have my seat way up and lifted on the highest adjustment. The arm rest woudn't do me any good since my elbow won't reach that far down. So if you are short like me, 5'1" than no, you may wan to pass. But I would have gotten one if it would work. I do wish I had one but I have been driving for the last few months and don't really miss it.

 

+1 for arm rest - it holds my sunglasses as they do not fit the case included - the name is appropo as it is a fine spot to rest zee arm

 

Yeah, the MINI glasses case doesn't fit any of my sunglasses but it does neatly hold two pair of "cheaters" for map reading and such.

 

Me too.... But I still use it even though it bulges. It keeps it in place and out of the way.

 

im buying it now for my CMS, the loaner cms has it and i liked it, when i test drove mine i thought that i did not need it since i have my hand on the shifter most of the time