Well if you are get the 6 speed then I would not get it because I have a 6 spd and chose not to get the armrest because I felt it would get in the way. In fact, the armrest is very annoying in the Beetle 5 spd.

 

I have an armrest in my '06 MCS. Armrest is a misnomer, it's really an elbow rest. I've gotten to the point where I keep it [awkwardly] folded back all the time. I agree with those who noted the poor functionality of the lid and it's small capacity. There won't be an armrest on my next MINI.

 

As you can see from the variety of replies, this is obviously going to come down to a personal decision.

We ordered the factory arm rest after much consideration and still feel it was the best decision for us (FWIW, ours is an auto.) To me, it looks more like it "belongs" because of the silver trim and the way it attaches to the console. My husband absolutely wanted an armrest, and though my driving position is so far forward my arm doesn't reach it while driving, I do appreciate it as a passenger when my seat is further back. IMO, in a car of this quality, it looks like something's missing without one. It does "give" slightly when leaned on but honestly, we got over that quickly. The sliding top on ours does not open on its own unless we push on it (contrary to others' experience) and while it doesn't hold much, it's the perfect place for our two garage door openers (laid end to end, wedged firmly in place by a wine cork), a tire gauge, and a pen. Nothing moves or rattles around when it's lifted up and angled out of the way, and a water bottle still fits easily in the rear center cupholder whether it's up or down. We also felt that the sliding motion was easier/less awkward for us as opposed to the "press the button and lift upward" motion of the aftermarket arm rest storage area (though that's clearly larger). The factory arm rest stops just short of the e-brake handle and is not in the way of pulling it up as it is with the after-market version.

The bottom line is that either arm rest has its advantages and disadvantages and you have to decide which one works best for you.

 

I also had a Beetle, but I had a short shifter in it and I could shift with my arm on the arm rest and just moving my hand/wrist. Downside of the short shifter was more effort though.

 

I dont like the armrests. they get in the way of shifting =)

 

My first "mod" in my 06 was to remove the armrest. $250.00 wasted.

 

I've had armrests in my previous cars and don't miss it at all without one in my mini cooper. I like how it opens up the flow of space better. Easier for my kid to climb through the center or for me to reach back and buckle her in or hand her something. Also, much easier to pull the e-brake up when "parking".

 

I never used the one that was in my Civic, so I didn't get one. I don't miss it.

 

For me it was a must to have a center arm rest.When I was test driving the Mini Coopers they all had the center arm rest in them but when I finally picked the car I wanted it didn't have one and they did not want to add one in so I left.I went to a different Mini dealership that had one with an automatic and center arm rest in it and I bought that one and drove it home.

Like others have mentioned it is strictly a personal decision so try driving one with and one without the center arm rest and see which suites you best.

 

You can see that it is in the way of the hand brake when folded down, but you get used to it. Also, you can obviously fold it up.

 

Thank you to everyone for being so helpful!

I think i'll test drive with and without one if they have them on the lot, and go from there!

Thanks for the pics too!

 

Russr...

How sturdy is that arm rest?

I've been looking to get it but sometimes I think its not sturdy enough.

Also, would you happen to know how close it comes to matching the Anthrecite interior?

 

I think that a lot has to do with how tall the drivers is and how far back he sits. Also how low the seat is adjusted. I find that as a taller, 6'2", person the arm rest was definitely in the way, whether folded up or in the down position. So no arm rest for me.

Again, as many others have said, it is a personal decision. Get out there and drive both variations. I mean really, do you honestly need an excuse to go drive a MINI?

 

Well, as a taller, 6'2" person, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

It is low enough that I never touch it when shifting, yet high enough to be a comfortable rest when I am cruising.

But, as others have said and apparently the OP has agreed, you have to check for yourself. This is even more obvious when two people of the same general size can't agree....

 

I find it very sturdy and very useful both for resting my arm as well as storage. it's get a lot more room than the factory armrest, but still not as much as an armrest in a buick or something. The cushion part of the aftermarket armrest is anthracite colored and the plastic is black. you can't get a better match to the dark anthracite interior.

 

I agree with Desert_Sand. Go for a drive.
I didn't order the armrest because my elbow bumped it when shifting into 2nd when it was down, and my shoulder rubbed against it when it was up. But your body is probably a different size so you should test it for yourself.

 

According to Motorfile - If you wait a bit and order a MY09 - the Armrest may not be packaged as it is in the MY08 mix.

 

You mean it may be standard? Any other changes, not that a arm rest is going to delay my purchase, but is there anything major that i should consider? Can you post the link please?

 

So, any of you who removed yours wanna sell it???

PM me if u do

 

russr, thanks very much for the picture. Is there any way you could take a picture with the armrest in the farthest up position? Thanks.

 

I have the armrest. I personally like having one... but the one MINI provides is crap. It does not fold all the way up and out of the way if you want it to and like others said, it slides open at will. I complained the last time I was at the dealer for service and they replaced the sliding door. He warned that it would probably just break again. its been a few months and the door stays shut but... I don't dare open it anymore.

 

Yeah when I test drove the MINI, I wanted to see one with an armrest. Its pretty craptastic but I got it anyway. I'm used to them. I guess I could replace it eventually. First I gotta get my MINI though! lol. Scheduled for Production as we speak...

 

I mainly got it because the interior looked incomplete to me without it (as others have pointed out). Plus, it came with the convenience package.

 

Really? Mine doesn't come with the CP.

 

Yes. I just rechecked my original invoice and "Center Armrest" is listed under Convenience Package.