Official MINI Armrest Retrofit Instructions

Gabe Sep 28th, 2004 Link

FYI the armrest will also be part of the premium package for both Convertibles in the US.

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Josh Wardell Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Excellent, the version I had was only in German. Perfect timing as my armrest should be arriving in the next day or two!

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Kimes Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Gabe,

How would you compare the Outmotoring Arc armrest with the Official MINI one?

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Gabe Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Good question… Personally I prefer the OutMotoring ARC Armrest for asthetic reasons. It's almost like having a sculpture in your MINI. I really don't need extra storage of the official armrest since I've added the parcel shelf and and the storage tray under the toggles.

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RobO Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Is it just me or does the picture of the armrest on the MINI USA configurator look like the MINI Fini armrest instead of the official MINI armrest?

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Harold Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Why must 4 screws be removed- 2 front and 2 rear- if the bracket attaches to the rear only? Thanks.

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scott Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Harold – probably so you don't bend the seat rails when you lift them up in the back to slide the armrest bracket under.

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Josh Wardell Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Harold-the front screws do not need to be removed, just loosened to allow the seat to tilt forward enough to slide under.

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AlanL Sep 29th, 2004 Link

I've read on other posts about the airbag sensors getting set off when you remove the seats. Will this require resetting the airbag light when we undo the seat rails? Or disconnecting the battery?

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Harold Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Thank you for your replies.

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RAF Sep 29th, 2004 Link

is it just me or does the MINI solution for an armrest seem rather clumsy…especially in regards to how it installs in the car.

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Mark Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Will this still only fit the 05's?

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hectic Sep 29th, 2004 Link

Is there any choice of color for the armrest? I have cordoba beige leather, it would be nice to have the armrest match..

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Paul! Sep 30th, 2004 Link

I don't see any reason why this shouldn't be retrofittable to all MINIs. The seats didn't change.

And as for the MINI configurator, I have a feeling that they put the MINI-FINI armrest picture in there as a 'placeholder', as in they didn't as yet have an official pic of the new armrest.

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Theo Sep 30th, 2004 Link

One quick observation gleaned from countless seconds of exhaustive analysis of the diagrams: it appears as though the entire arm rest will hinge up, not just the compartment cover. This is good news for those of us with multiple drivers who have constant need of adjusting the seatback angle.

Theo 8^)

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Volkan Sep 30th, 2004 Link

Hey Theo, Thanks for the analysis and the outcome. I was wondering about that myself as well. It would be great if the arm rest hinges up. Have you received a confirmation that your arm rest was shipped? I guess we will have the definitive answer once someone who ordered it via Alex receives it and reports back here :) Thanks!

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Theo Oct 1st, 2004 Link

Volkan –

Josh and I are expecting these babies to turn up today or Monday. We both have received information that they have been shipped. As soon as I unpack the box, I'll post to this thread with the verdict on the potential “hinge-up” feature.

Theo 8^)

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GW Oct 1st, 2004 Link

Anyone know what the pictures of the eyes with numbers, or TIS mean? I am looking over the instructions now, as Alex just emailed me stating he had the second load of armrests in. I sent him my info and will be getting mine shortly after I take delivery of my 05 MCS.

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slh Oct 1st, 2004 Link

TIS==Technical Information System. Its how all BMW/MINI/Rolls technical/service/data information is managed. Its available online for a fee. The eye is a graphic for “look”. In this case eye ball with a number after it means look ahead to the referred to image. The eye followed by TIS i believe would mean, refer to the TIS for the tightening torque of those screws.

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Volkan Oct 1st, 2004 Link

Thanks Theo. I look forward to your report… I would appreciate if you could also include how long it took for you to receive it after you sent your payment info to Alex. Thanks again! Volkan

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Theo Oct 1st, 2004 Link

Volk,

So far its been just under 2 weeks. The armrest did not arrive today…fingers crossed for Monday.

Theo

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David Oct 5th, 2004 Link

It reads like the armrest as an accessory will be available before it comes out in factory units. Is that the case? And if so, when can we order one as an accessory.

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GW Oct 7th, 2004 Link

Anybody received theirs yet? I picked up my MCS a couple of days ago and eagerly await Alex's shipping of the armrest, and in the meantime would love to hear others' experience putting it in.

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Volkan Oct 8th, 2004 Link

I am also waiting for mine to arrive. I was hoping that somebody in US would have received theirs already…

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AlanL Oct 11th, 2004 Link

Volkan – I too have not received my armrest, but I suspect I was in the second batch. There is a thread on mini2.com where others are waiting; you might want to subscribe to it. I think it's called “2005 Mini Armrest”.

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Volkan Oct 11th, 2004 Link

Thanks Alan! I just checked that thread on MINI2. Looks like lot of people are waiting for their armrest to arrive from Germany. Mine was in the second batch as well (which means that it will take even longer). I'll keep checking and wait patiently :)

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Penny Oct 16th, 2004 Link

i received my armrest yesterday. if only i had my mcs to install it in! eta approx 3 weeks.

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