What I would have to say about MINI armrests in general, based on experience, would require comfortable chairs, extraordinary craft beer and a couple hours of quiet conversation punctuated by an occasional obscene outburst.
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They can be annoying if the padded top isn't tight. I'm not sure how they were new, but my top almost always slides open when resting your arm on it. The pads can also slide back under hard acceleration.
The armrests aren't the sturdiest so don't put ant more weight on it other than resting your forearm on it while sitting. Even then, it creaks a little since it seems to be all plastic. Also, smart phones don't really fit in it they're wider than an iPhone 5. A lot of people have glued theirs shut because the annoyance of the loose top outweighs the small storage gained.
A good price for an excellent condition one would be $125-$150. If you can't see the armrest in person, I would only pay about $80, unless blemishes and a possible loose top won't bother you. If you need to replace the padded top for any reason they're about $70 new. Once you do that, it probably would have been better to just go with a new retrofit kit so everything is perfect. -
Thanks for the input. The only reason that I ask is that I was recently working away from home, and had a rental Toyota to drive. I kinda liked having the armrest there. This particular MINI armrest got my attention because it is in the same color as the rest of my interior. Might be able to get it for $100.
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I forgot to add, it also makes the only useful cup holder a pain to use if you don't have the down tube cup holder. To get the cup in, you have to lift the cup over the back of the pad and lower it between the frame of the armrest which now limits the cups to a smaller size. It's really awkward to do with out twisting in the seat and hopefully the top doesn't pop off and spills your drink because the you have to hold the cup by the top while lowering it down.
You can hinge the armrest back to get access from underneath, but access is still limited because of the range of motion. Also, if your padded top is loose, it will slide open when you hinge the armrest back.
The factory armrest is a great design aesthetically, but terrible for actual use. -
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DneprDave Well-Known MemberSupporting Member
My MINI came with one, I don't think it's as bad as people are saying here. My cover doesn't slide back and it doesn't seem flimsy to me. I don't drink and drive, so I don't care about cup holder usefulness, I keep a round container of wipes in the coffee cup holder,and a pen under the cover. It does do a good job as an armrest, just as it's designed to.
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I have one of these in my car...fits my arm well and helps fatigue on long trips. Top does slide back as others have noted, for me the minor issue is acceptable.
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Dave.0 Helix & RMW PoweredLifetime Supporter
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The armrest requires a new console handbrake section, about $75 new, and possibly the metal frame underneath. I don't remember if the existing frame can be made to work, but there's a specific frame that comes in the retrofit kit. It also requires new cupholder trim and two trim pieces on the side of the cupholder. The cupholder trim ring is about $14 and I'm not sure if the two side pieces are available separately.
Do you have a link to the auction to check out the pics of whats included? -
This auction shows the metal frame and console, but looks like it's missing the two plastic trim pieces. Not recommending this auction, just posting for pics. $150 after shipping is too much when you still need to find the missing trim.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2008-Mini-Cooper-Convertible-Center-Console-Armrest-49-51169185113-R52-/232121246463?hash=item360b8122ff:g:sTgAAOSwx2dYCoEI&vxp=mtr
If your auction was complete, it might be worth taking a chance on, but having to the buy parts to complete it would make it too expensive. -
Yeah, this could get really expensive.
The one that I was looking at had the armrest (downtubes, metal frame,padded top, etc), screws, end caps for the pivot point, cup holder trim, and the plastic trim for the sides of the frame. In anthracite. Only missing, as far as I can see, the center console and the metal frame under the console. $120 O.B.O. -
Dave.0 Helix & RMW PoweredLifetime Supporter
Since it's not for an R56 or Effed56 I am sure you can get a deal on old stock. :ihih: -
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=RC33-USA-06-2006-R50-Mini-Cooper&diagId=51_5833
The one that I am watching on fleabay has the complete armrest, + parts 2,19,20 and all of the screws. I would need part 5 (handbrake console), and part 10 (bracket,handbrake console,rear). -
Parts 5 and 10 are about $100 new from ECS and will put you around $225 to complete your armrest if you can't find 5 and 10 for a good price used. From dealing with a used armrest, I would spend the extra $75 to get a completely new armrest. The retrofit kit is $225 which includes everything but the #5 console piece which is $75 new.
Are you planning to use the storage compartment, or would you be willing to glue it shut and just use it as an armrest if the top isn't tight? Also, how much do imperfections/scratches bother you?
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