E39 Center Arm rest upgrade to Euro arm rest

[whatheheck]

Here you go for sharing.

Easy mod. Takes about half hour total.

I like the Euro arm rest better as it has a storage tray underneath. This is now where I hide my V1 when the beast is parked out somewhere.

See attached DIY and photos.

Hope this helps some of you.

[BuzzedHornet]

Cool, I know where to find a V1 =)

[whatheheck]

Dang, my secret is out!

Cool, I know where to find a V1 =)

[Laidback]

Time to find another secret hiding place or lock it asap when Rob is around :laughhard:Dang, my secret is out!

I like the storage tray upgrade i have been itching to do this but I have yet to see it on a caramel leather...

[Palantirion]

FYI: You can also use the tray with the existing US armrest if you source the right length screws. Got mine at Home Depot.

[eTHIRTYnine]

I've always been wanting to do this mod but I cant find anywhere that actually stocks them. how much did everything cost?

[Palantirion]

I've always been wanting to do this mod but I cant find anywhere that actually stocks them. how much did everything cost?
-Do a Google search and you'll find the part numbers. They vary by interior color and whether or not you want a leather or vinyl armrest. Take the part numbers and shop around.

[whatheheck]

Sorry just now finding time to check eMail messages. Too busy with work.

FYI, I purchased my complete arm rest kit at Tischer BMW of Maryland.
They do give 10% discount to BMW CCA members.

Similar to any BMW part, the kit is not cheap
Whole kit I believe cost me $450.00.

Dan

[quacktoduck]

wow pay to play... i want the vinyl one so i can conceal my 9mm when im at work... ill prolly do it with some type of foam

[Alexbenz]

FYI: You can also use the tray with the existing US armrest if you source the right length screws. Got mine at Home Depot.

can you post when screws and what you exactly did? i have my tray siting in my trunk and wanted to install it

[Palantirion]

can you post when screws and what you exactly did? i have my tray siting in my trunk and wanted to install it
-I don't know which screws I used. I took the euro screws (too short) to HD, and found US-thread screws that were a little bit longer.

[Alexbenz]

-I don't know which screws I used. I took the euro screws (too short) to HD, and found US-thread screws that were a little bit longer.

do you have any pics of the setup and how to mounted it?

[Palantirion]

do you have any pics of the setup and how to mounted it?
-No, I didn't take any pics. It's really easy though, just using the stock screw holes.

[Alexbenz]

-No, I didn't take any pics. It's really easy though, just using the stock screw holes.

so you just got longer screws and mounted the sliding armrest to the tray?

[Palantirion]

so you just got longer screws and mounted the sliding armrest to the tray?
-Yeah. You have to be careful not to tighten it too much or the plastic center section of the armrest will pop up. That's why I sourced the slightly longer screws that threadlock at just the right depth because of the difference in the threads.

[Alexbenz]

-Yeah. You have to be careful not to tighten it too much or the plastic center section of the armrest will pop up. That's why I sourced the slightly longer screws that threadlock at just the right depth because of the difference in the threads.

can you post some pics of your armrest? i'd like to see how it looks

[Palantirion]

can you post some pics of your armrest? i'd like to see how it looks
-Sorry, these are the best ones I can find:
http://www.myz4mcoupe.com/images/Tiamat/SeatMassagers%20%281%29.JPG

http://www.myz4mcoupe.com/images/Kali/08,01-16,%20trim%20reinstalled/CIMG6748.JPG

[Alexbenz]

did you have to use a hinge? doesn't look like it in the pic...how does it lift up?

[Palantirion]

did you have to use a hinge? doesn't look like it in the pic...how does it lift up?
-The Euro baseplate is hinged. Go to www.realoem.com and compare the parts for the US and Euro models and it will make more sense.

[Alexbenz]

oh ok.........i thought you were using the us plate with the tray but yes the euro plate works perfect with the tray, might even get away with the standard screws...i just didn't know if i wanted to pay hundred some bucks right now for this mod...