Curious if the factory armrests are really worth installing in my R53 / 6-speed Mini. I bought a spare parts car JCW Mini that has an armrest and wondered if it would interfere with shifting ? Thanks

 

I have a factory armrest in my '05 MCS, it doesn't get in the way of shifting, BUT, the cover retainers are crap and as you shift, etc, the cover can slide open. Whether its from my arm brushing against it, or the acceleration, I can't say, but there are a number of people that have removed them as it can be annoying. I did have mine come open in the middle of an Autox run, and had gas receipts flying around the cockpit . Needless to say, I don't keep them there anymore.

 

I already noticed how easily the armrest lid slides open and was thinking of using velvro or a dab of GE Silicone to make it more difficult to slide open?

 

I bought a new top pad for my R52 last year from Amazon, was $15.... Kind of a pain to install without breaking any of the sliding tabs, but at least now mine stays shut

Bryan

 

I had the sliding armrest but swapped it for the lift open. It does not get in the way of shifting but gets in the way for handbrake turns
https://www.waymotorworks.com/center...0-r52-r53.html

 

Do these aftermarket pads have the same texture on the armrest itself and are the plastic tabs the same? Thanks...

 

I bought that one for my R53 a few years ago....I really like it better than the OE style

Bryan

 

Basically the same texture, but the pad itself is a little harder, not as soft as the OE ones. Can't answer about the front tabs, both of mine were broken off of my original one. I'm happy with the one I got from Amazon for $15

Bryan

 

Thanks for the insight on which armrest is better. Regards...

 

Any pics of the WMW center console installed?