Category: Brakes
Price: $9999
Private or Vendor Listing: Private Listing
Part fits (you may select multiples): R56
Location (Region): NorthEast
Item Condition: Used

Hey guys, I've looked around for a bit and figured I'd put this out there and see what generates from it.

I suffered a shoulder injury on my third tour overseas and after 2 years of constant pain I finally get a mri with contrast. My Ortho wants to cut three inches of ligament off the top of my bicep and relocate it to just under the ball joint. Why does this matter? well, I drive a 6 spd, and this surgery is going to be on my right arm. I'm not getting rid of my mini and buying another car isn't an option. 6-8 months recovery is a long *** time and the ortho says I should be OK to drive after 3-4 weeks, so long as I have support for my arm via an armrest. At this point in the conversation I'm , , , and cause mini's don't come with arm rests.

So anyways, I'm in the market for an armrest, and for that matter what do you guys think about the short throw shifters? I've been interested anyways but in terms of physical effort to shift what reduces it the most? Thanks guys.

 

Here's a nice armrest I'm considering. Less than 1/2 price compared to OEM and I think this is better and looks roomier inside.

http://www.armrest-autoaccessories.c..._545b0632.html

 

Thanks for the link! Definitely looks like a good option.

 

Short shift kit made driving my 98 540i a lot easier, too bad the clutch required so much force that with my bad back it made it a bear to drive for more than short trips. In the long run it would be a good mod.

If I had an armrest floating around I'd send it to you as a freebie. Maybe someone else will feel so inclined to do so or cut you a nice deal. Two years to get an MRI, is that part of the VA screw ups? We've been mistreating military folks for way too long.

 

Here's a pretty nifty, easy on the budget gadget to shorten shifts. From the little research I've done it works well at shortening shifts at least.
http://store.helix13.com/helix-short-shift-kit/

Did you install the B12 kit? Mine goes on tomorrow.

Best of luck and let me know what you think if you pull the trigger on either of these mods....whatever you choose.

 

Try getting a clutch stop, it made the clutch a lot easier to deal with, as you barley need t push it in with one installed. It takes about two minutes, and cost $10!

As to the OP, thank you for your service and I hope you have goodluck getting what you need! If youre in the Mass/New England area and you need help installing anything, just message me and ill be glad to give you a helping hand!

- Current Army 68W

 

This person is selling OEM armrest: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rting-out.html

 

WrenchMonkey, I just installed the Helix short shifter on my R53. It did in fact give me shorter throws and made the car more fun to drive. However, it is harder to shift and if you are having shoulder issues you may want to hold off on this mod until you are healed.

 

Thank you, MIB4840, that's the answer I was looking for. Everyone raves about how the shift gets shorter, no one mentions that this becomes physically harder. I'm considering getting the cravenspeed adjustable shifter. It's pricier than I would like, but that adjustability will let me dial in how much my arm can deal with.

 

Sorry I didn't thank everyone for their kind replies, I've got a lot going on these days.

Cguzz- I did get my b12 kit on! It absolutely rocks! It's almost time to put summer tires back on, and I'm doing more plasti-dip here soon so picks will be up later. I have a lot of pictures from doing the kit though, thought about making a video but time/effort... meh

Thanks, Theskyisup, I'll keep you in mind when it comes time to do sway bars and bushings, Hooah

The surgery feels like impending doom. Just talked to a guy who had the same surgery done 6 days ago.. he had pictures.. uhg, that crap makes me stomach turn. Believe me, I've seen some sick and twisted **** in the military (and laughed at it) but the things doctors do to fix things, for whatever reason, just doesn't sit well with me. The armrest practically doesn't matter for the short term because it looks like I wont be able to drive at all. He could barely lift his arm from his side in the sling, let alone push forward or pull back. Sure, in four weeks I should be good to shift, but WTF am I gonna do til then? Getting divorced practically next week and I'm on the wrong side of the country from my family.

I'm gonna see if I can't get some local college nursing girl to live with me for a couple weeks...

 

I have to do my own sway bar, maybe if the stars align we can do them both the same day!

Good luck with the surgery, four weeks isnt a bad recovery time and should go by fairly quick!

 

That's just til I may be able to shift gears... full recovery is 6-8 months of healing and physical therapy.

I'm really stressing not being able to use my car. I'm considering getting a rental or maybe purchasing a beater? I've been wanting to do that whole ridesharing thing and make some money on my free time, but my mini doesn't qualify, I can really only seat one person, and they require 4 doors, with one exception (but still need more seats). So I'm currently weighing the pros and cons. Considering a truck, cause I could use one for other work besides (trying to pickup odd jobs, welding, pressure washing, window cleaning, handi-man type stuff). I've been kind of setting up the mini to work for most stuff. The whole back is one level know and will hold quite a bit of stuff. Anyways I digress. Been doing a lot of thinking, but there's definitely going to be a period of time when I need a car that isn't a stick.

 

Ask your doctor to prescribe an automatic. Maybe your healthcare provider will cover it. good luck with the surgery.