E36 Centre Arm Rest
E36 Centre Arm Rest
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.
Thanks for any ideas.
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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
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
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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
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
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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
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
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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
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
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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
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
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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
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
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
Remove the armrest for the mot and refit after?
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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
Oddments tray
Armrest down
Armrest up
Oddments tray
Armrest down
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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?
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
3.0I Topaz Blue
2000 E36/7 Z3 3.0i
2016 F31 335d
2015 F21 118i
3.0I Topaz Blue
2000 E36/7 Z3 3.0i
2016 F31 335d
2015 F21 118i
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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
Cheers
Dave
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
Brian,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?
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.
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.
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
- Posts: 2225
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
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?
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
Frank
Good job, glad you got it all sorted.
Regards Jim
Good job, glad you got it all sorted.
Regards Jim
Re: E36 Centre Arm Rest
Jim,leach62 wrote:Frank
Good job, glad you got it all sorted.
Regards 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