Just got my 1st mini!

The center armrest is 2 plastic pieces that were misaligned when they were glued together, which created a sharp edge. I ripped open the back of my hand while fastening my seat belt. Will be taking it back to the dealership to replace or hopefully return, so that I can buy the Euro model. I didn't think I needed to research such a simp0le feature, but I wish I had.

 

This belongs in the 2nd. Gen forums. Ask a Mod to move it.

 

I asked a moderator to move or delete it. What a newbie

 

lol its cool. They can move it for you. I get confused sometimes too. The lay out has changed quite a bit since the R56 came out.

 

Oh Yeah, sorry about your hand , no stitches I hope

 

I disliked the original one as well as it would endlessly pinch my forearm/hand. I replaced it with the euro one. Took a bit of time to remove the old one but installation of the new one was a snap. Slightly more interior room; better designed opening with no pinching; access to rear cup holder; nice black color; and slightly lower position all seemed to make this armrest a better choice for me.

Hope your hand heals okay.

 

I knew those stock armrests were unsafe at any speed. Now we have proof!

If I were you I'd offer to settle your bodily injury claim for an installed Euro armrest.

 

Does anyone have a pic of the Euro armrest that shows how it differs from the US model? I was going to order with the US one, but now I'm concerned after reading this post.

Thanks for the pics if available.

 

How about a part number or a Euro dealer that will ship to the US??

 

URL for the Euro Armrest

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...h_storage.html

 

I have one, purchased from that web site. Nice and sturdy too. I wish it folded back more (haven't looked yet to see if modding it is possible.)

 

Does anyone know if this Euro Armrest can be easily modified to use the 2007/2008 phone cradle set-ups? I have the Motorola cradle installed in my factory armrest, but would love the use of the cradle in the new armrest. I would like to think that they have the option for phone cradles in Europe.

 

More room inside storage area, but don't know about cradles available; here are two additional sources:

http://www.minspeed.net/MAR.htm

MiniMania.com

All are the same product. Mine was from Outmotoring and I Love it.

 

You should sue!!! haha JK.. Some people really would though. Then mini USA would be forced to put warning labels on the arm rest. ** Caution...armrest has sharp edges....

 

Why not take some 1000+ grit wet/dry paper and break the edge? I have suffered a few abrasions when trying to secure my seatbelt. It seems like replacing the armrest is throwing out the baby with the bath water...

 

Guess they are all made different mine is a little ruff but doesn't even ruff up the skin if you rub on it hard. I could rub my arm back and forth on it all day and it wouldn't do anything to me. Guess I lucked out.

 

Is it easy to remove the arm rest? If I were the OP, I'd seriously consider it. Holy cow...

 

I would take it back to the dealer and ask for a replacement armrest that did not have this defect.