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      04-01-2019, 07:09 PM   #1
nachob
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My Latest Mod - Armrest Delete

I don't really mod my 1M and I recognize that the 1M armrest looks good but it has been one of my least favorite parts of ownership. It creaks and rattles. I had the dealer work on both of my 1M armrests under warranty. Each time, they only solved it temporarily. Eventually they replaced the armrest and I sold it, so I just assumed it was fixed for good.

3 years ago when I got this 1M, the armrest began to rattle. Again, I took it to the dealer and they applied teflon tape, spit, grease, did some vodoo but it would always rattle.

I finally got fed and I purchased a brand new console and armrest and replaced it all just to stop the damn rattles. It worked for 3 years and now the rattle is back. I can clearly see it is the armrest again. So I did some internet research and found that the armrest was a premium option and some european versions did not have an armrest. I found that you just needed a new cover and a corresponding bracket to this mod.

I went ahead and order a new armrest and the new cover and bracket. I will keep the armrest in a box in case I ever change my mind or sell the car and the new owner wants it.

But I decided to go for the armrestectomy. The armrest is actually heavier than I expected and as many know, I have the no nav stripper version. I was curious and weighed it on a bath scale and comes in at 4.5 lbs but felt like more.

There is already a DIY on doing this but I did notice one thing that was not mentioned and is key. After you take off the armrest, you have to put the new bracket and it partially goes in inside the console. It has some hooks that you have to slide in from the inside out and push the bracket up. I took enough bolts out that I was able to simply lift the console and spread it slightly to put the bracket in place. Then just put the fasteners back on and put the rear cover.

I took it for a test drive and it was so nice not having the rattles. It did feel a little naked at first but after a minute, I forgot it's not there. I never really used it anyway. I was always leery of making it rattle more so I wouldn't put my arm on on it.

Here are some pictures. So my stripper is even lighter now!!
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Last edited by nachob; 04-01-2019 at 07:46 PM..
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      04-01-2019, 10:40 PM   #2
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Our shared affliction is definitely a special kind of illness.
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      04-01-2019, 11:49 PM   #3
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Well it looks clean still but I dont think I can part away with the armrest ..
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      04-02-2019, 09:45 AM   #4
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Looks great. I'd do it, but that piece of plastic list for about $75 in the US now.
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      04-02-2019, 10:07 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by E30 Racer View Post
Looks great. I'd do it, but that piece of plastic list for about $75 in the US now.
I paid more. The brackets was about $54 from the dealer and cover about $83. Im sure you can find it for less I just ordered it all together. This is not for everyone but I'm pretty happy with it.

As I said I was just fed up with the rattles. It's also just dead weight. I never used it either. I still ordered the new armrest but will just hang on to it. I like the rattle free vibe.
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      04-02-2019, 01:30 PM   #6
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Hey guys, this is wonderful and very nice looking. Wonder why they didn't do this from day one.

Beautiful.
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      04-02-2019, 02:41 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rekraps View Post
Hey guys, this is wonderful and very nice looking. Wonder why they didn't do this from day one.

Beautiful.
I mean it was in option from day one in Europe.. but also because its basic and standard in essentially every car.
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      04-02-2019, 04:49 PM   #8
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This is one of my favorite mods on my 135i. It is more comfortable for me, lighter...and it frees up the cup holder!
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      04-02-2019, 04:59 PM   #9
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This is amazing! I have the dreaded armrest rattle and it drives me crazy. Will definitely be doing this mod this spring. Now I got a new rattle coming from my passenger side door card. I found the culprit and it seems like the glue came undone on the bottom storage area. Anyone else have this? Any idea how to fix it?
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      04-03-2019, 06:32 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 519.E82 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rekraps View Post
Hey guys, this is wonderful and very nice looking. Wonder why they didn't do this from day one.

Beautiful.
I mean it was in option from day one in Europe.. but also because its basic and standard in essentially every car.


Yes, the person/dealer who originally ordered my Italian 1M did the armrest delete factory option. The only additions were heated seats and the storage package. Of course we all are partial to our own babies, but I think my stripper is best.

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      04-03-2019, 07:14 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JP-1M View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by 519.E82 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rekraps View Post
Hey guys, this is wonderful and very nice looking. Wonder why they didn't do this from day one.

Beautiful.
I mean it was in option from day one in Europe.. but also because its basic and standard in essentially every car.


Yes, the person/dealer who originally ordered my Italian 1M did the armrest delete factory option. The only additions were heated seats and the storage package. Of course we all are partial to our own babies, but I think my stripper is best.

Yes! My baby is 4.5" lighter than than the already not too common stripper!

Wohoooo!
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      04-28-2019, 02:07 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nachob View Post
Yes! My baby is 4.5" lighter than than the already not too common stripper!

Wohoooo!
First all new M2s come to the US with power seats, then they charge you extra for a CS model without them! I know I got roasted by a few when I said the manual seat version was the lightest, then BMW allowed you to get them in the M2 at a premium!

Anwyay, I took the armrest out because the rattles were annoying me and couldn't really fix it long term and I was surprised how heavy it felt. I was jokingly excited about my no option manual seat 1M being even lighter and I saw this on Jalopnik. It appears just like the M2 CS where they charge you a premium for the manual seats we have in our strippers, they are now charging you a premium to take away the dead weight of the ARMREST in the M5 CS!

jalopnik M5 CS Editorial







I guess I'm ahead of my time!

I have a roll of black alcantara, maybe I'll slather some of that on it and call it a CS?
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      05-05-2019, 06:45 PM   #13
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Bravo- performance seats next
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      05-05-2019, 07:41 PM   #14
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      05-05-2019, 09:18 PM   #15
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love the armrest. would never remove it....

rattles don't bother me. it's an old BMW now with 90k miles. i focus on what matters and that's keeping it running great and enjoying it.
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      05-14-2019, 03:50 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nachob View Post
First all new M2s come to the US with power seats, then they charge you extra for a CS model without them! I know I got roasted by a few when I said the manual seat version was the lightest, then BMW allowed you to get them in the M2 at a premium!

Anwyay, I took the armrest out because the rattles were annoying me and couldn't really fix it long term and I was surprised how heavy it felt. I was jokingly excited about my no option manual seat 1M being even lighter and I saw this on Jalopnik. It appears just like the M2 CS where they charge you a premium for the manual seats we have in our strippers, they are now charging you a premium to take away the dead weight of the ARMREST in the M5 CS!

jalopnik M5 CS Editorial







I guess I'm ahead of my time!

I have a roll of black alcantara, maybe I'll slather some of that on it and call it a CS?

You know what's hilarious? The writer of that Jalopnik article is one of the drivers of the One Lap of America 1M that's mentioned in another thread. If you go down to the comments of the Jalopnik article, you'll see me trying to convince him that he should delete the armrest in his 1M.

While the weight savings and rattle reduction is nice, I also simply find it more comfortable, since I have long arms. Plus, it looks really clean.
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      05-14-2019, 04:39 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duder13 View Post
You know what's hilarious? The writer of that Jalopnik article is one of the drivers of the One Lap of America 1M that's mentioned in another thread. If you go down to the comments of the Jalopnik article, you'll see me trying to convince him that he should delete the armrest in his 1M.

While the weight savings and rattle reduction is nice, I also simply find it more comfortable, since I have long arms. Plus, it looks really clean.
I think the armrest looks good but I never really used it. Now that I know how heavy it is and less rattles I like it. I bought a brand new one and I’m keeping it in the box for now but I really like how open it is now and just feels even more stripped down and purposeful. It really is just dead weight. The armrest in my ZHP is better for some reason and I use it more but really never used this one. Thanks for the info on the writer.
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      05-23-2019, 02:50 AM   #18
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Mines also rattles and its very annoying. Dont know what bmw was thinking when they deciced to put the cupholder directly underneath the armrest!

There's a spare centre section on my local bmw forum, i think i may get it and recover it when i redo my steering wheel to give it that M2 CS look!
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      05-23-2019, 09:24 AM   #19
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Damn. I might have to do this. I don't really use my armrest, especially since it creaks so badly (Like the rest of the interior)
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      05-23-2019, 10:49 AM   #20
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Damn. I might have to do this. I don't really use my armrest, especially since it creaks so badly (Like the rest of the interior)
You can take it off and keep it for later. I kept my old one and new one in a box. I love it now. I'm sure I'm faster now without the dead weight. : )
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      05-23-2019, 01:27 PM   #21
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+2 HP ;-)
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      06-04-2019, 09:58 AM   #22
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I never ever use my arm rest. It gets in the way of shifting so I have it up 100% of the time
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