I have a CR/B MC 04' and would like an armrest. I have been checking out different aftermarket sites and am curious which vendor has the best quality with ease of installation. Anyone have recommendations?

Thanks in advance....MOTOR ON!

 

The best aftermarket armrest is the one made by MINIFINI:


http://www.minifini.com


MINIFINI products are only sold at authorized MINI dealerships and also carry the standard BMW/MINI accessory limited warranty.


I believe this armrest retails for $225 a piece, but I have seen it and it is worth it.


Good luck.

 

I got the Newton arm rest from Mini Mania. Will be installing it when my leather hand brake boot arrives. Will post some picts. when I get it installed. The instructions look pretty straight forward and simple. Also this is the only arm rest that I found that will keep your rear cup holder in tact.

Didn’t like the MINIFINI. It costs to much and isn’t even leather. The installation instructions look much more completed and you give up the rear cup holder.

 

I got the $49.95 TVA Elbow Landing Device, it took 5 minutes to install, is strong enough to hold my weight with no problem, and matches the interior quite nicely. It also leaves the rear cup holder open for my morning cup of coffee... a major kudo in my book. Best sub $50 part I have bought yet.

TVA Armrest

 

I second that. That was one of the first things I bought before I took delivery of my MINI, and it was the first thing I installed after leaving the dealer!

Inexpensive, compact, and 17,000 miles later, is so worth it. The MINIFINI is beautiful, but for the price, the TVA can't be beat. I'd say if I compared the amount of satisfaction to the dollar spent for my TVA elbow landing device, it's the best ratio out there since it looks, feels, and works many times better than the low price makes it seem.


>>I got the $49.95 TVA Elbow Landing Device, it took 5 minutes to install, is strong enough to hold my weight with no problem, and matches the interior quite nicely. It also leaves the rear cup holder open for my morning cup of coffee... a major kudo in my book. Best sub $50 part I have bought yet.

 

Does the TVA move? It looks like it could rock back and forth. Also, does their charcoal match the black leatherette interior? Thanks!

 

Well that depends. If you put all of your weight on it, and rock back and forth, sure it'll move. But if you use it as an elbow rest, it doesn't. I have mine adjusted so that it's as far as it will go against the console. Some people who drive CVT's don't like the height of the elbow rest, since it sits a bit low. For me and my 5 speed, it's perfect.

The charcoal matches my Profile Leather perfectly, and I think it'll match your leatherette just as well. The camera flash makes it look brighter than it really is. Check out the bottom picture where the lighting is more even and compare the leather seat color to the elbow rest in the center/bottom of pic.

Other benefits:
1.) Easy to install & remove
2.) Don't lose use of rear cup holder
3.) No drilling or permanent installation marks
4.) Doesn't interfere with operation of seat controls








>>Does the TVA move? It looks like it could rock back and forth. Also, does their charcoal match the black leatherette interior? Thanks!


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Well there goes, my second mod,ordered the elbow device

 

I found a leather arm rest that slides forward for different positions while providing additional storage space underneath. Very practical! :smile:
Moss Mini currently has a close out sale


Same one with phone holder.


Minifini


An economical choice


Another choice




_________________

 

Yeah I never liked the look or cost of these arm rests. Besides, it blocks access, atleast more so than the Elbow Landing Device which doesn't at all, to the seat controls. In my case, I've got leather seats, and I need access to my Lumbar support ****. Also, I believe these mount into the rear cup holder. Just more hassle to install. :smile:
>>Moss Mini currently has a close out sale
>>
>>]

 

the elbow thingy looks great
on my black leatheret.

 

I bought the MINIFini armrest last December and I love it! It matches perfectly my interior and the quality is awesome.

Sure, it's one of the most expensive armrest available but it's a high-quality one.

Here's a picture of it installed in my car. The flash makes it look more black than the seats but it doesn't in reality...


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(My MCS pics)

 

I saw a new design at outmotoring- for $169.95
http://outmotoring.com/out_motoring_mini_armrest.html

 

Can 2 elbows fit comfortbably on the TVA armrest, or is it like fighting for elbow room on the plane?

L

There's also a company that sponsors this site (AzAuto Concept) that has a pretty cool armrest that slides forward and has a compartment in the back...you lose the cup holder (it seems) but you have room for cds etc... Looks good, but a lot more expensive than the TVA

 

Re: Mini Moss

Is this easy to install? Easy instructions? I have a MC/CVT.

 

It's like fighting for elbow room. The elbow rest is for the driver, not that it can't be done. My wife wants to use it all the time (while she's passenger, but it's really not big enough for 2. I'm an armrest hog!)

>>Can 2 elbows fit comfortbably on the TVA armrest, or is it like fighting for elbow room on the plane?
>>
>>L

 

I got the padded armrest from Mini Mania (which looks the same as the Moss Mini one above), as part of a package with the center console and glovebox organizers - which is a pretty good deal at $230 for all three. After putting in the armrest, I can't believe MINI didn't include one from the beginning (it looks like the '05 is getting one). It's a major convenience and can be shared by two people.

My only complaint is that it slides forward too easily. Sometimes I put my hand and a little pressure on the back of the armrest, either when looking into the backseat area or when turning around before backing up, and it slides into the open position. I may try to install some sort of latch on the front, since I don't use the storage well underneath very often (it's too small for CDs, for example).