I have a 2016 F56 base model with the armrest.

I like it for the tiny amount of non-rattle-y storage and I do like it when it's all the way down. Otherwise it's in the way. My major complaint about it is the way the handbrake bumps it up and you need to readjust it every single time you release the handbrake. As far as I'm concerned it's an obvious design flaw - two hard plastic moving parts that interfere with each other is just ridiculous.

Upon quick inspection, it's obvious that about the lower half of the armrest's bulk is a closed-off compartment (I'm assuming it's somehow involved with BMW's badly executed snap-in phone adapter). Has anyone attempted a modification to lop off a channel for the handbrake to rise into without running into the armrest? I'm going to modify mine to include an access point for USB/Aux/12V power and this would be a good feature to add at the same time.

 

I seem to be able to engage the handbrake without hitting the armrest. It will go further up but it seems to fully engage without hitting it.

 

If your arm rest is like the one in my base '13 they're quite fragile. If you aren't careful you will bend the arm rest down to where it is in the way of the e-brake handle. It gets bent just putting your weight on it getting in and out of the car.

 

On mine if I don't pull it up that far it's not cinching the brakes enough for them to keep the car in place on any appreciable grade.

 

Did you catch this thread? Might have some info.... https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-part-1-a.html

 

Yes I did, thanks. The step by step instructions will come in handy as I'll need to remove and reinstall it.

I'm particularly curious to see what the bottom half looks like inside. I hope to increase the storage area by opening the whole thing up.

 

Let us know what you find out. I too would love more space in there.

 

Wonder if they toughened it up in later years. My 3yo son likes to stand on the arm rest and stick his head and arms out the sunroof. I don't let him do it a ton but he's a good 40 lbs or so. No problem with interference.

I leave it in the up position most of the time, well behind my arm. It's too high up and too close to the shifter for my taste. I've been considering removing it entirely.

 

I used to find that too, but I had to crank the seat up a couple pumps to avoid some sciatic pain. The extra few mm of clearance make a huge difference in the right elbow/armrest interaction.

 

The snap in phone adapter was a real good idea lol! About 2 people on this forum ever bit on that deal and were not impressed.

 

I have the console & I like having it despite the obvious detractions. It's great for storage & it's also good support for my arm (i.e. "armrest"). But, I do not have the controller on the center console as I do not have visual boost or xl screen... just the radio....the way I like it! I don't use the parking brake when I'm parked in the garage anyway...better to leave it in gear! Outside on slopes I use it but I don't have any issues with the console being in the way of the emergency brake....don't sweat the small stuff! It's a small car.... if you want loads of room buy a truck or large SUV! Just an opinion from the other side! ;-)

 

I respectfully disagree. Having to readjust the armrest every single time I get into the car is not anything I've ever had to do in any other car. This not a cheap car, and I expect more from BMW.

Using the transmission as a parking brake is a neat strategy until it doesn't work - gravity can and will turn the engine over until it runs up against compression, and if it happens to pop out of gear (the handbrake locks in position for a reason) I'll be fishing my car out of the ditch at the bottom of my 150 foot driveway.

 

I agree. I'm 6'4" and 250 pounds and the armrest works well for me. Especially after enduring the so-called armrest in my R56. I make anything from 30 minute to 5 hour drives in my car on a routine basis and find the armrest to be a definite plus in reducing fatigue in my right arm. I have the manual transmission with a Cravenspeed short shift lever and the armrest doesn't interfere with my shifting at all. It's easy for me to start the car, release the handbrake, lower the armrest to the low position, select sport. activate the BT for my exhaust and go. With the armrest in the low position my hand falls naturally to the iDrive controller.

 

yeah, I was wondering if there was any way to access that wasted space that is the enclosed lower half of the clunky armrest ......would be a good hidden storage space if you could get access

 

We've had a number of MINI owners replace their armrests for various models. Here's a link for some articles on different options and installation instructions.

http://new.minimania.com/Search_Resu...mrest/Articles

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