E36 Centre Arm Rest

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Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Frank.A »

Has anyone successfully used an E36 armrest in a Z3,before I start spending money.I realize that there are after market alternatives at a price,but I would prefer DIY using some OEM parts if possible.
Thanks for any ideas.
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leach62
Joined: Wed 31 Dec, 2008 11:43
Posts: 75

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Chatham

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by leach62 »

Hi Frank

I have, I ended up bolting it to the plastic surround and supporting the arm rest from underneath, it has been in place for about three years now with no undue effects, will get a picture and attach later. It is a bit heath robinson I suppose and may not be for the purist but I am afraid I was not in a position to purchase the OEM arm rest and as they do not do it in beige (yes I am sure I could have painted it) I didn't really want one, so I opted for the E36 one and even after I had it recovered to match the interior it was a fraction of the cost of an OEM one.

Regards Jim
Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Frank.A »

Hello Jim,

Thanks for your input,I look forward to the pictures.I haven't bought an armrest and mounting bracket yet,but have studied various pictures and decided that mounting the bracket to the tunnel was probably not the way to go.
I had considered cutting down the bracket to preserve the trunnion mount and bolting it to the rear of the console.I presume by what you have written that this is the method that you have used.

Regards,
Frank
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leach62
Joined: Wed 31 Dec, 2008 11:43
Posts: 75

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Chatham

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by leach62 »

Hi Frank

Tried uploading to the site to no avail, try the link below for three photos.

Regards Jim

http://www.flickr.com/photos/112284320@N03/?details=1
Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Frank.A »

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the pictures of an excellent job! Is that an E46 armrest with oddments tray?
I had discounted the E46,but I shall look again as there is a larger selection of them.

Regards,Frank
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Youth would be more useful if it came later in life!
leach62
Joined: Wed 31 Dec, 2008 11:43
Posts: 75

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Chatham

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by leach62 »

Hi Frank

Not sure if I am honest but yes it has an oddments tray. If I can be any further help just let me know I will keep an eye on the forum. In the mean time have a great Christmas.

Regards

Jim
Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Frank.A »

Hi Jim,

I will certainly let you know how I get on once I've sourced the bits.

In the meantime,thanks for your help and best wishes for Xmas to you and all Zed owners.

Regards,

Frank
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Boysie
Joined: Sat 23 Apr, 2005 14:24
Posts: 1654

  M roadster S50
Location: Wallington Surrey
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Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Boysie »

Although I have this one in my Zed with the drink holder and armrest

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Prior to this I was told the 5 series armrest was the way to go
Ray

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S50 ///M Roadster, Arctic Silver, Imola Red/Black interior
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Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Frank.A »

The problem with the 5 series (at least the E39) is the rest does not have a cut out to operate the handbrake.As the handbrake/parking brake is also intended as an 'emergency' brake ,having to lift the arm rest to operate the brake would result in an MoT fail
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Rafolian
Joined: Wed 27 Feb, 2013 08:41
Posts: 547

  Z3 roadster 2.8

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Rafolian »

Remove the armrest for the mot and refit after?
Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Frank.A »

I have finally got around to taking some picture of my efforts at an armrest utilizing an armrest and mounting from an E46 Compact sourced on Ebay for £21inc.The original mounting has been reduced in height and bolted through the centre console with a re-inforcing plate underneath.I decided on the black as the armrests on the doors are black.

Armrest up

Image

Oddments tray

Image

Armrest down

Image
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Brian4
Joined: Mon 19 Dec, 2011 19:02
Posts: 541

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Hinckley

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Brian4 »

Hi Frank

That looks good and neat and you get the oddments tray as well. Looks to be just the right height as well, I could never understand why one was never fitted as standard. Can you still access the switches at the rear of the armrest for the electric roof?
Brian
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Davejue1
Joined: Sun 22 Sep, 2013 07:25
Posts: 1249

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Mansfield

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Davejue1 »

Looks good and the armrest really was a gift at that money, its a nice addition to the interior, was it a simple job? :)

Cheers
Dave
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Bi11
Joined: Mon 05 Nov, 2012 21:26
Posts: 150

  M roadster S54
Location: Bedford

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Bi11 »

I like that better than the normal one with the coin holder :thumb:
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Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Frank.A »

Brian4 wrote:Hi Frank

That looks good and neat and you get the oddments tray as well. Looks to be just the right height as well, I could never understand why one was never fitted as standard. Can you still access the switches at the rear of the armrest for the electric roof?
Brian,

Here is a pic of the rear of the armrest showing the switch panel.my hood switch is up front,but as you can see the oanel is still accessible.

Image

Dave,

There are plenty of E46 armrests on Ebay at £20-30 mainly in black or grey leather or vinyl.Most have the bracket still attached.Not difficult to fit.After cutting down the plastic mounting bracket I filled any voids with body filler to stop the mounting being crushed when bolting down.I made a cardboard template of the reinforcing plate before cutting one out of 16swg steel.Bluetack or double sided tape was necessary to fit the nuts as space under the console is limited.Working in the centre on the car is not easy,well at least not at my age. :roll:
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BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
Posts: 2225

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by BladeRunner919 »

That looks great. Can you show how it's mounted and whether you needed to fit any additional supports under the console to support the armrest?
leach62
Joined: Wed 31 Dec, 2008 11:43
Posts: 75

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Chatham

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by leach62 »

Frank

Good job, glad you got it all sorted.

Regards Jim
Frank.A
Joined: Mon 20 Jul, 2009 21:15
Posts: 875

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Twixt York and Hull

Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest

Post by Frank.A »

leach62 wrote:Frank

Good job, glad you got it all sorted.

Regards Jim
Jim,

I had been thinking of this for some time,but it was your pictures and method which finally galvanised me into action.I am surprised that no one else has posted their own attempts.

Regards,
Frank
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