Let's Remove the Armrest - Page 2 - BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)

AndyM · 09-22-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkp1187

Great post!

How much should we expect to pay for the replacement bin? I don’t see any prices on the pages linked above.

Sorry for the delay, retail is $365.13.

m7ammed · 12-06-2008, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAMike

Andy, do you have a part number for the Euro arm rest? I am trying to see if I can get the center storage bin (on the dash where the iDrive would be if I had it) and the wallet holder but my dealer is closed until the 25th of this Month. If you have the part number, I'll see if I can get that too.

Thanks!

whats a wallet holder?

larryzhou · 08-05-2010, 11:05 AM

thanks a lot,,,

Six Pot · 08-05-2010, 08:24 PM

Hey Andy, can you get a better pic of the back of the bin. Is that an insert that can be removed to route wires into the bin?

JimD · 08-06-2010, 07:34 AM

My early June 09 build 128i vert came with the larger bin. It holds a few CDs nicely.

Jim

AndyM · 08-06-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Six Pot

Hey Andy, can you get a better pic of the back of the bin. Is that an insert that can be removed to route wires into the bin?

On the inside, back wall of the armrest? That is a business card holder.

Six Pot · 08-06-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyM

On the inside, back wall of the armrest? That is a business card holder.

Ah, was wondering if I could re-route some cables into the armrest directly. Thanks

Guynamedsean · 09-07-2010, 03:12 PM

That's not a wallet holder or business card holder. It's part of the iPod kit. You put your iPhone or iPod in there,then plug in. Allows you to control iPod from headunit. If you have this kit you can also just save music to USB drive and plug in.

You guys were joking right? Thought this was common knowledge round here.

AndyM · 09-07-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyM

On the inside, back wall of the armrest? That is a business card holder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guynamedsean

That’s not a wallet holder or business card holder. It’s part of the iPod kit. You put your iPhone or iPod in there,then plug in. Allows you to control iPod from headunit. If you have this kit you can also just save music to USB drive and plug in.

You guys were joking right? Thought this was common knowledge round here.

The Ipod holder is on the underside of the armrest. We were talking about the business card holder on the inside of the armrest along the back wall of the storage area.

gnpower · 12-15-2010, 09:31 AM

I do like the larger armrest compartment. I feel the current storage is useless for my needs. All I can keep in there is a pen. Will replacing your armrest eliminate the armrest squeeks?

AndyM · 12-15-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnpower

I do like the larger armrest compartment. I feel the current storage is useless for my needs. All I can keep in there is a pen. Will replacing your armrest eliminate the armrest squeeks?

You need to add felt to eliminate the squeaks. You can find info on it somewhere on here.

New21er · 03-12-2011, 02:45 PM

Just saw this and I want one. Can anybody provide a part number ??

AndyM · 03-12-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New21er

Just saw this and I want one. Can anybody provide a part number ??

Black is: 51 16 9 110 501

If you need another color, you can find it at realoem.com

pikuko · 06-26-2012, 06:34 PM

AndyM,

I really like the modification with the short armrest, I went to the leatherz website but i couldn't find it, any way you can point me to the right direction how to get the same one you have?

Thank you.

Milton · 01-28-2013, 11:43 AM

Sorry, but its necessary to remove the 10mm nut near the usb connector?. Im affraid if I broke the plastic cover.

Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyM

Removing the center armrest without removing the entire center console is not difficult. I did not like the useless bins for storage in the stock armrest so I got European version with the bigger storage space.

Tools required
10mm Socket and wrench
T-20 Torx Bit

Removing the Stock Armrest.

Raise the armrest and next to the USB/iPod interface is a cover. Remove it and you will expose a 10mm nut:

Remove the 10mm nut (make sure you do not drop the nut into the center console). Set the cover and the nut off to the side.

On the back of the center console is a trim panel. To remove the trim panel, pull straight back. I was able to do it by hand (no tools) by gripping it towards the bottom. You may need to use an interior trim tool to remove the panel.

With the trim panel removed, you expose 4 fasteners: 2 T-20 Torx screws at the top of the armrest and 2 10mm nuts at the base. Begin by undocking the cell phone connector from the armrest and then remove the 4 fasteners.

To remove the armrest, you will need to lift it up until it clears the 2 captive bolts at the base. The center console has enough play to allow you to clear the bolts. Once you have the armrest over the two bolts, slide the armrest back.

If you are simply removing the armrest, you are done. To install the armrest, it is the reverse of removal.

If you are installing a new armrest, there is more to it if you have the iPod sleeve. The iPod sleeve is held in place by 3 self tapping T-20 screws. To access the screws, open the sleeve and lift the velvet-y backing.

Remove the three screws:

A new armrest will not come with the sleeve. The sleeve is expensive, so you will want to re-use it. To transfer it to a new armrest, use a piece of paper with the paper aligned with the longer (left in the picture above) and the bottom edges. Use a pencil to mark the holes on the paper. Align the paper on the bottom of the new armrest and transfer the holes to the new armrest. The T-20 screws are self tapping, so all you need to do is line up the iPod sleeve and screw it down.

Here is a comparison of the larger storage armrest and the worthless one. I lined the bottom of the new one with some toolbox drawer liner to keep things from sliding around a bit.

note: new armrests come with a new lid, I have one off for another project.

dorkdog · 02-20-2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piggy

Anyone know if there is an armrest delete option, or some type of block off plate to make the removal of it look finished. Thanks Jeff

You'll have to order BMW part number 51169110474 (they come in different colors); it's about $15. It's a plate you put over the space where the armrest was, after you remove it.

Jadel · 02-27-2013, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorkdog

You'll have to order BMW part number 51169110474 (they come in different colors); it's about $15. It's a plate you put over the space where the armrest was, after you remove it.

Oh, now thats a neat alternative, would like the OP bigger bin one but its a bit too exxy.

The default one is so bad. The whole car is pretty awful storage wise tbh.

The thing next to the light switch stuff falls out of, the ash tray .. wow an ash tray in 2012 thats a good idea. The whole arm rest including the scoop underneath and the horrible plastic thing in between the rear seats.

I guess the glove compartment is ok .. apart from its rattles.

Gray_Panther · 03-02-2013, 07:08 PM

Just dropped in to say your seats look magnificent. As if no soul has ever been in it.

08-06-2010, 07:34 AM	#27
JimD Colonel Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 2,159 iTrader: (0)	My early June 09 build 128i vert came with the larger bin. It holds a few CDs nicely. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09

12-15-2010, 09:31 AM	#32
gnpower Lieutenant Drives: BMW ///M Sport 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 475 iTrader: (0)	I do like the larger armrest compartment. I feel the current storage is useless for my needs. All I can keep in there is a pen. Will replacing your armrest eliminate the armrest squeeks? __________________ ///M 135i

03-02-2013, 07:08 PM	#40
Gray_Panther Lieutenant Drives: 128i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 482 iTrader: (0)	Just dropped in to say your seats look magnificent. As if no soul has ever been in it. __________________ 2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic

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08-05-2010, 11:05 AM	#25
larryzhou Private Drives: 120i mt Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: shanghai Posts: 73 iTrader: (0)	thanks a lot,,,

08-05-2010, 08:24 PM	#26
Six Pot CPO Destroyer Drives: 135i/M5 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 126 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00] 2007 BMW M5 [0.00]	Hey Andy, can you get a better pic of the back of the bin. Is that an insert that can be removed to route wires into the bin?

09-07-2010, 03:12 PM	#30
Guynamedsean Private First Class Drives: 2012 Carbon Black 650i M Sport Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: The Woodlands, tx Posts: 109 iTrader: (0)	That's not a wallet holder or business card holder. It's part of the iPod kit. You put your iPhone or iPod in there,then plug in. Allows you to control iPod from headunit. If you have this kit you can also just save music to USB drive and plug in. You guys were joking right? Thought this was common knowledge round here.

03-12-2011, 02:45 PM	#34
New21er Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Stanwood, wa. Posts: 255 iTrader: (1)	Just saw this and I want one. Can anybody provide a part number ??

06-26-2012, 06:34 PM	#36
pikuko Registered Drives: 128I Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Tampa Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	AndyM, I really like the modification with the short armrest, I went to the leatherz website but i couldn't find it, any way you can point me to the right direction how to get the same one you have? Thank you.