Yes, I've got one of those sliding-top armrests that don't stay closed. Highly irritating. I've decided it's the next thing to be fixed.
What is the best way to address this issue? Do the replacement tops fix the problem? How about the European armrest? Would I need to replace the parking brake cover if I went with it?
Opinions and experience appreciated.
Jack

 

had the same issue. yes, replacement top "fixes' the issue, but i feel like im always pushing mine closed anyway, it still "wants" to slide open with a light touch. the problem is that there is no actual closing mechanism, its just friction with a little groove... its a lame design.

 

where do you get a replacement top? I know someone looking 4 1 but I was unable to locate .... thanks.

 

not sure... maybe ECS or something online. got mine replaced under warranty (amazingly) by mini.

 

For the factory armrest sliding top : the slider part of the bottom feet can snap and then it will not stay closed.



Here are the options for the R50 R53 model, there is leather & Leatherette.

http://www.ecstuning.com/News/MINI_Cooper_Base_S_JCW_R50_R53_Armrest_Lid_2002_20 03_2004_2005_2006/




For the R52 Convertible MINI there was a dark blue leather version also, in addition to the others.

http://www.ecstuning.com/News/MINI_R52_Armrest_Lid_Cooper_S_JCW_Convertible_2005 _2006_2007_2008/





Thanks

 

Can magnets be installed somewhere?

 

I don't believe anything has snapped off the lid in my car--it just seems to have loosened up over time. The car has 114,000 miles on it. Where has that wear occurred? Will a new lid return the armrest to like-new?

 

Search for a thread on this with Doug Whalen. Put a wingbolt on the back end of the lower half. Swivel wing up, top stays closed. Swivel the wingnut horizontal to open. Brilliantly simple, <$5.

Sent from my Moto X using NAMotoring

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...1&postcount=22

Sent from my Moto X using NAMotoring

 

Yes a bad design. I fixed mine after finally getting tired of it sliding back every time I looked at it.i put a spring and ball latch on it.here is mine now.tap on pic,.

 

Check the rails itself. The lid will either have a piece broken off the double feet or at the end where it snaps shut with the pressure. There is felt in the rail also.



Check on that back side on the rails near the on the below picture the left hand side, sometimes those snap.



Thanks

 

Even new,before the tiny plastic tabs bend or break, the lid is easy to slide by mistake with your elbow. A new one will quckly get loose again, just a poorly thought out design.

Sent from my Moto X using NAMotoring

 

 

Looks great. That's my next mini-fix.

 

I corrected mine using the same type of attachment although instead of the wingnut I cut a flexible plastic tab from clear, flexible tubing. Works pretty well to keep lid closed and does not require twisting a part but not perfect and the length needs to be tuned so it does not stay folded under the armrest when closing the top (it has to snap back up). It is pretty annoying to have the lid constantly slide back open.