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Bridger.us/MINI now have an official copy of MINI-Fini armrest instruction for download in the “How-To” section of the site. These are the actual instructions that a dealership would most likely use. You can check them out on the How-To page.
Enjoy!
<p>a big thanks to Joe for this hook-up!</p>
<p>Just finished Installing the Armrest following the detailed instructions in the PDF file. Two Major CAUTIONS for Do-It-Yourselfers: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>The two rear holes in the mounting bracket were nowhere close to where they needed to be to line up with the two hex standoffs (this may apply only to '04 car models – they might be positioned correctly for earlier year models.) I had to have new holes drilled in the mounting base plate.</p></li>
<li><p>Do NOT dremel or cut away any of the plastic from the console mounting bracket as the instructions direct, UNTIL you have checked the armrest mounting bracket for levelness to determine whether any cutting away will even be necessary. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Mine was exactly level without either ANY cutting away or the necessity for using the supplied extra washers to obtain a level platform.</p>
<p>Of course not cutting away any of the plastic console mounting bracket meant that two of the supplied M6 22mm mounting bolts for the front two holes were now not long enough. I had to go to Lowes and buy four more M6 hex head bolts a half inch longer to get the two I needed.</p>
<ol>
<li>Minor — but this should also be mentioned: The instructions do not tell you to unbolt the DSC module (if car is so equpped) and lay it aside out of the way without disconnecting the wiring. (Later at step 12 it tells you to bolt it in place again — but it never told you to unbolt it and lay it aside to begin with !!!) An instruction to unbolt the module should logically be at step 3a.</li>
</ol>
<p>This installation could easily have been a 45-minute job for me (not a mechanic) IF the two rear holes in the mounting plate had been drilled in the proper place and if two longer M6 hex head bolts had been supplied.</p>
<p>As to the now completely installed armrest: It is Sooper Dooper Fantabulous! Worth every second of aggravation to install it! And looks absolutely as if it came with the car as standard equipment.</p>
<p>Now my right arm lies on the armrest in a perfect postion to flick the gear shift lever effortlessly between gears! This probably will be especially usefull for those who have installed a short shifter kit.</p>
<p>Peace !</p>
<p>Thanks Joe – great comments!</p>