Just installed the OEM armrest.

[L84THSKY]

Here is a pic of the armrest in the up position.

Originally Posted by aceyx

ah, i meant pictures of the armrest in the raised position. also from the driver's perspective, if you've got 'em.

silly english, so confusing.

http://www.geocities.com/l84thsky/ArmRestUp.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/l84thsky/ArmrestUp1.JPG

[devilddog88]

hey where did you get the armrest from? i would like that to be my next mod. Is it comfortable?

[GDB]

Originally Posted by devilddog88

hey where did you get the armrest from? i would like that to be my next mod. Is it comfortable?

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

I bought it at Circle BMW in NJ, $175.00.
Checkout the two armrests for sale on Ebay in my previous post.

reading is good

[devilddog88]

didn't notice the 2nd page
my bad

[cali-ti]

how is the armrest in terms of position when shifting (both armrest up and down)? when engaging and disengaging the e-brake? i would be tempted to put the cigarrete lighter port in the storage bin under the armrest (if i got one) so i could store my cell phone in there or possibly do something to mount/integrate an ipod there (using dension's controller integration product, www.dension.com). also, you mentioned the mysterious connector can be used for "other things, " what "other things" can it be used for? maybe i could do some kinda hands free thing for my cellie. i'd miss the cupholders though, have to plan this all out :P

[L84THSKY]

Look at the pics of my armrest, you can see where I relocated the cigarette lighter. That is the ideal place for it. As for the feel of the arm in relation to the shifter, I think it's good. I'm very happy with the upgrade, I just need to make a cupholder out of the small square area just in front of the armrest. I also put in an M3 shifter and Momo knob, so that may have changed the feel with the armrest. Put it this way, since I have installed the armrest, I NEVER raise it up for any reason. I removed the front ashtray, so my wallet/glasses/cell phone all fit in the expanded tray where the ashtray was.

Originally Posted by cali-ti

how is the armrest in terms of position when shifting (both armrest up and down)? when engaging and disengaging the e-brake? i would be tempted to put the cigarrete lighter port in the storage bin under the armrest (if i got one) so i could store my cell phone in there or possibly do something to mount/integrate an ipod there (using dension's controller integration product, www.dension.com). also, you mentioned the mysterious connector can be used for "other things, " what "other things" can it be used for? maybe i could do some kinda hands free thing for my cellie. i'd miss the cupholders though, have to plan this all out :P

[cali-ti]

anybody gotten this part for the new armrest kit?

>** 51-16-8-119-626 STOR.PARTITION***** 1********* 8.84

no idea what it looks like, but vaheh at crevier bmw said you need to get this when you get the armrest retrofit kit. it may resolve this "we don't got no cupholders no more" problem ... but i haven't seen what it looks like either.

oh yeah, btw, they had the armrest kit for cheaper too ...

>** 82-40-9-404-403 INSTALL SET SAND*** 1******* 148.75

eric

[1996 328ti]

Fig 20
From RealOEM.COM also look at this one.

[cali-ti]

well crap on a stick, it's just the storage compartment for the back people, suck! looks like the mod to hack the original cupholders and change holder into the new console is still the best idea. thanks for the visual steven, do you know every page of that ETK by now?

eric

[1996 328ti]

Having the part number made it easy.
I'm starting to bookmark the pages.

I have the hacked cup holder mod. It works very well.
But I find myself using the square portion in the front the most.

[L84THSKY]

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!

The square part is perfect for when your arm is on the armrest. It's like having your can of beer right in your fist and sitting on your lazy boy. All I need to do is turn that square into a circle. That sounds like what the cavemen were thinkin'.

Originally Posted by Steven Schlossman

But I find myself using the square portion in the front the most.

[cali-ti]

lol ... are you equating us with cavemen? :P

i haven't gotten the armrest yet so i don't know the dimensions, but ... wouldn't it be nice if the "reticulating hand" cup holder from a mercedes would fit that spot? leave it to mercedes to engineer something like that when finally forced to make a cup holder.

something like this might work: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=42612

eric

[L84THSKY]

I'll bet the mercedes cup holder is nice. The link you posted looks good, but not exactly my cup of tea.

Bye the way Eric....my name is Eric too

Originally Posted by cali-ti

lol ... are you equating us with cavemen? :P

i haven't gotten the armrest yet so i don't know the dimensions, but ... wouldn't it be nice if the "reticulating hand" cup holder from a mercedes would fit that spot? leave it to mercedes to engineer something like that when finally forced to make a cup holder.

something like this might work: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=42612

eric

[cali-ti]

hmmmm ... now i'll have to kill you ... there can be only one! :P j/k for those who don't understand humor. i may live in wisconsin, but i'm not a serial killer.

yeah, i don't really like the cup holder i linked to either. i did a short search for the mercedes robot hand one (it's the freakin' coolest thing ever), but i couldn't find it. must search more. you push a button and it extends upward, twisting and expanding the gripping hand (which accomodates varying cup sizes and everything too). i need to find it!!!

eric power!

[L84THSKY]

This is the cupholder that defines quality, nothing comes close. Too bad it won't fit a 318ti.

Originally Posted by cali-ti

hmmmm ... now i'll have to kill you ... there can be only one! :P j/k for those who don't understand humor. i may live in wisconsin, but i'm not a serial killer.

yeah, i don't really like the cup holder i linked to either. i did a short search for the mercedes robot hand one (it's the freakin' coolest thing ever), but i couldn't find it. must search more. you push a button and it extends upward, twisting and expanding the gripping hand (which accomodates varying cup sizes and everything too). i need to find it!!!

eric power!

http://www.tecaccessories.com/index.html