I hate the armrest. When its down I can't shift comfortably, and when its up its not really out of the way. There is this barrier between me and my passengers since it doesn't fold up flush with the seat back.

This is the "new" armrest I am told - the top doesn't slide. It appears to be attached to a big industrial looking metal bracket that goes and hides by each seat. Is it easy to remove/unscrew? The dealer said you have to remove the seats to do it! They've gotta be pulling my leg, right?

 

Gabe of MotoringFile removed the armrest on his R56, and he said it was not an easy job to make it clean like from the factory without an armrest. You would have to completely take apart the center console and replace several parts with non-armrest versions. Look at this page: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts..._6288&hg=51&fg. The cupholder is different (items 14, 15) but the main difficulty is changing the handbrake bracket (item #2).

Without doing the complete job, if you don't mind it looking a bit funky, you can just unbolt and remove the armrest itself by removing the cupholder to access the screws.

 

Do you think it matters that my armrest wasn't installed at the factory? Passport, where I bought mine, installs armrests on every car. So I would think if they could install it easily...they could install it easily. It's not a MCS, if that matters.

 

the top dows not slide back it sounds as if it is the Euro Style and those are much easiery to remove.

If the brackets holding in place look like these then it is much easier to remove.

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

1. remove torx bolt from the rear of the seat base track nearest the arm rest bracket

2. slide the brackets out from under the sseat base track.

 

Thats exactly what I have. Thanks. So just slide the seats all the way up...remove a bolt, slide brackets out, then reinstall bolt? I might just do that myself!

 

I was so glad mine did not have one. So many cars I test drive I would have to take a sawsall to the armrest.

 

Outmotoring has the installation instructions: http://www.outmotoring.com/images/ho...mrest_gen2.pdf

 

Took it out of the car yesterday. OMG, it feels so much roomier now. Why they designed an armrest that's almost as big as the seat I'll never understand...

 

I have the Standard North American (slide to open) and i love it. It is not quite as big as the Euro one but almost.

Everyone has their own opinion, but glad to hear you are now happy.

 

I have the dealer installed one (like the one linked above) that I paid $400 for including install. Good thing I love it or I would feel like it was wasted money. Though I could have saved by installing myself if I had known how easy it was.

Looks like it will be an easy removal though if I ever decide to. Thanks for the pdf link.

 

I added the factory armrest to my car.

To convert your car it is fairly easy, the hardest part is lifting the console, but it is not too difficult to lift the console up, you just have to be gentle and patient. Careful of the wires beneath and the clips.

You will need to re-use your fasteners.

 

Those parts are easy to source through the dealer, or Penske Parts, or RealOEM.
I will be removing my arm rest here in the next month!

- Erik

 

Yes they are!

Here are parts you would have to order (MSRP price):
51162756167 $12.82 cupholder
51162756171 $11.03 trim ring silver
51162752947 $11.40 bracket

FYI, no affilation just a happy customer, parts.com seems to have the cheapest prices MINI/BMW on OEM parts online.

 

And for you Chrome Line interior owners (like myself):
51162756172 - $10.12 - TRIM RING, DRINK HOLDER, REAR - CHROME

- Erik

 

And for those lifting their console to change the bracket (to add or delete the armrest), here are good instructions for doing so.

http://www.robincasady.com/ShiftKnob...otInstall.html

And I have to say be very careful with the ebrake button cover, I broke one of the tabs off.

 

what size bit did you use to remove the torx bolt?

 

Pretty small, either a T20 or T25 torx bit.
I just removed mine over the weekend; its simple with an array of Torx bits from a generic interchange set.

- Erik

 

I have the euro style armrest. I need to know what size torx bit everyone is using to remove the rear torx bolt that holds the seat rail and the armrest. I think a T-20 or T-25 is too small....

 

The seat rail bolts are T40.

 

I have no armrest but would like one. Anyone that wants to swap armrest for an "armrest delete kit" just let me know!