E90Post
 


The Tire Rack
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Cosmetic and Lighting Modifications (exterior/interior) > Split Armrest Review



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-17-2011, 10:13 PM   #1
skinrock
Agent Smith
skinrock's Avatar
276
Rep
3,344
Posts

Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2016 BMW i8  [10.00]
Split Armrest Review

I've had my eye on this for a long time, and I finally purchased it along with my bodykit and electronic performance steering wheel. I always thought it would be a nice addition, but not a overwhelming improvement. I was dead wrong.

The edges and stitching are much more prominent and flow much better with the seats over the stock one. The rear has a nice curve to it, and provides a nice transition to the center console. The optional spring and locking mechanism are must-haves. It feels much more luxurious now that it opens with ease and closes with resistance, and the snap when you open it all the way is a subtle but excellent touch.

And of course the extendable armrest is the main focal point. The metal rods are the show stopper in the build quality department. BMW could have used cheap plastic rails, but no expenses were spared here. It slides in and out with authority, no wobbling or looseness at full extension.

Installing it was pretty simple. I took my time, but I still broke two clips on the bottom of the climate control panel. It's always tough removing something like that the first time, and unfortunately there was collateral damage. Luckily the clips are fairly insignificant, and the panel locked securely back in place. The bottom corner is a little loose, but the curvature of the middle hump and the carpet seem to add enough friction to prevent it from sliding loose. Just take your time, and be much more cautious with the top part because that's what really holds it in. The spring is a major pain to install, you have to raise the armrest all the way up, and push the center of the spring clip over the plastic lip in the console. Getting it over that lip took some force, but worth the effort. The locking mechanism is a breeze, a simple plastic clip that you snap in before installing the metal rods.

Here are some pics:




Excellent mod, well worth the money.
__________________
The i8 needs a V8 amirite?
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2011, 10:46 PM   #2
Eric335
Colonel
Eric335's Avatar
United_States
151
Rep
2,506
Posts

Drives: 2012 E92 AW M3 DCT
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NYC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2012 BMW M3  [10.00]
2007 BMW 335i  [7.99]
that looks very nice....


i was just complaining today about my stock armrest!
__________________
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 12:58 AM   #3
BKap08
Colonel
BKap08's Avatar
United_States
57
Rep
2,711
Posts

Drives: LCI
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (1)

wow that looks SO much cleaner than the stock
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 02:33 AM   #4
samchoi604
Colonel
64
Rep
2,334
Posts

Drives: black on black
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Burnaby, BC

iTrader: (3)

I always wanted to do this mod but price is a barrier ($240)

I currently find no problem resting my elbow on the stock armrest... maybe I sit too far back, or my arm is too short?
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 02:35 AM   #5
skinrock
Agent Smith
skinrock's Avatar
276
Rep
3,344
Posts

Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2016 BMW i8  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by samchoi604 View Post
I always wanted to do this mod but price is a barrier ($240)

I currently find no problem resting my elbow on the stock armrest... maybe I sit too far back, or my arm is too short?
I never really thought the stock one was unbearable, but honestly, after extending this one - it really does make a world of difference. That being said, it's just as much of a cosmetic mod as it is a functional mod (which are the best mods).
__________________
The i8 needs a V8 amirite?
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 03:33 AM   #6
samchoi604
Colonel
64
Rep
2,334
Posts

Drives: black on black
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Burnaby, BC

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by skinrock View Post
I never really thought the stock one was unbearable, but honestly, after extending this one - it really does make a world of difference. That being said, it's just as much of a cosmetic mod as it is a functional mod (which are the best mods).
I believe that it's an excellent mod. So do you have the armrest extended or retracted most of the time (during driving)?
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 08:13 AM   #7
wrickem
Should be working
wrickem's Avatar
2173
Rep
3,810
Posts

Drives: What he wants to
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: lambertville nj

iTrader: (0)

I agree 100%.

When I put it on my '07, I did it because it looks better and figured it would be a little more comfortable. I was wrong, it's A LOT more comfortable to drive with and looks A LOT nicer. It was the first thing I did to my '11 when I got it. Very easy install too if you follow the DIY here
__________________
______________________________________________
Currently hoarding cars - '24 840, '19 911, 07 M6 , ‘23 Bronco OBXluxsquatch, ‘24 Bronco Heritage
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 08:18 AM   #8
Josh1a1h
Banned
United Kingdom
179
Rep
3,828
Posts

Drives: AzuriteBlack 335i E92
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Central North to West London

iTrader: (2)

I will eventually do this... I am wearing the hell out of my current Arm rest, so this will be on the cards.

IT LOOKS AWESOME! so much better than stock!!!

Where is the cheapest place/easiest to find it?

Nice Pics!
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 08:52 AM   #9
rollinstone157
Brotographer
rollinstone157's Avatar
United_States
91
Rep
1,742
Posts

Drives: F30 335xi
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

I'm really tempted to do this, it looks much better than the stock armrest.
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 10:59 AM   #10
B-737
Captain
B-737's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
825
Posts

Drives: a car.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jersey Shore

iTrader: (6)

Garage List
2011 328 xi  [7.26]
your interior is sooooo nice!
very tastefully done. i love the trim and ebrake, subtle and classy.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 11:17 AM   #11
skinrock
Agent Smith
skinrock's Avatar
276
Rep
3,344
Posts

Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2016 BMW i8  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by samchoi604 View Post
I believe that it's an excellent mod. So do you have the armrest extended or retracted most of the time (during driving)?
Just installed it last night, didn't actually need to go out yet. I have a feeling it will be retracted a lot unless I'm going on a longer drive and I think about it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh1a1h View Post
Where is the cheapest place/easiest to find it?

Nice Pics!
Tischer, getbmwparts.com
__________________
The i8 needs a V8 amirite?
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 11:18 AM   #12
skinrock
Agent Smith
skinrock's Avatar
276
Rep
3,344
Posts

Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2016 BMW i8  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by B-737 View Post
your interior is sooooo nice!
very tastefully done. i love the trim and ebrake, subtle and classy.
Thanks, those alcantara pieces will look really good once I finish it off with my new V2 electronic wheel. I have one more thing, the aluminum pedals, but I'm a little afraid it will be over the top. I have been going for that clean, matching look - and while I like the random aluminum highlights, I think the pedals might be too much.
__________________
The i8 needs a V8 amirite?
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 11:34 AM   #13
SG335i123
Private First Class
9
Rep
198
Posts

Drives: E90
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (2)

BTW, was the ebrake cover hard to install?
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 11:44 AM   #14
skinrock
Agent Smith
skinrock's Avatar
276
Rep
3,344
Posts

Drives: 2016 i8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Matrix

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2016 BMW i8  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by SG335i123 View Post
BTW, was the ebrake cover hard to install?
Not really, if you look at the new one, you'll see where all the clips line up in the center console, and it makes it easy to remove the stock boot. Then it's just a matter of sliding it off the metal arm itself.
__________________
The i8 needs a V8 amirite?
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 11:53 AM   #15
ECSTuning
New Lifetime Replacement Policy
ECSTuning's Avatar
851
Rep
11,738
Posts

Drives: Independent Tuning Specialists
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (18)

Looks great and awesome photos!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh1a1h View Post
.....
Where is the cheapest place/easiest to find it?.....
I have them in Leather and the Leatherette right HERE.


ECS Tuning
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 12:14 PM   #16
Josh1a1h
Banned
United Kingdom
179
Rep
3,828
Posts

Drives: AzuriteBlack 335i E92
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Central North to West London

iTrader: (2)

HAHA i completely forgot.. im in the UK so i would need an arm rest which is the opposite way around!!!

Ashame... thanks for the links though!
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2011, 08:19 PM   #17
AbsolutX3
New Member
United_States
0
Rep
23
Posts

Drives: 2004 X3
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central NC

iTrader: (0)

Probably one of the more "usable" mods in my opinion. I often feel that the standard armrest is too short on my mother's E90. They should just bundle it into the Premium packet or something like that. I'd swap it out but price is the barrier to entry......(plus I don't drive it that often)
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2011, 09:38 AM   #18
Murph335
Major
Murph335's Avatar
United_States
145
Rep
1,423
Posts

Drives: '07 N54 e90, '10 N54 e93, TBSS
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Gilbert, AZ

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2015 Tesla P85D  [0.00]
Longer legs here so seat is further back, didn't even notice its a problem! However I will say the stock one lacks good padding.
__________________
E90 - H&R Touring - M3 Front Arms - Work Genosis GS-1 19x9+30 x10+26 225f 265r stretch - AA FMIC - AR DP - Cobb E30 Map +160rwhp/+200rwtq
E93 - Style 95 - RB Turbo - AR DP - Evolution RW FMIC - PTF E50 +242rwhp/+234rwtq
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2011, 10:31 AM   #19
Ctm309
First Lieutenant
Ctm309's Avatar
17
Rep
361
Posts

Drives: '09 M3 AW Carbon roof DCT '11
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Norwalk, Ct./Port Washington, N.Y.

iTrader: (7)

Got, love it. Use it extended all the time.
__________________
2009 M3 Alpine, carbon roof, Akra slip on.
2011 335ix, Le mans Blue, Black Dakota, M-sport, PE Exhaust, VMR VB3's, ZCP 359m's, JB Stage-2, H&R Coilovers.
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2011, 10:38 AM   #20
Dark_Knight_335
Came to the N55 Darkside
Dark_Knight_335's Avatar
United_States
1133
Rep
12,740
Posts

Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NY/NJ

iTrader: (28)

Any advantages functionality wise?
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2011, 10:39 AM   #21
Dark_Knight_335
Came to the N55 Darkside
Dark_Knight_335's Avatar
United_States
1133
Rep
12,740
Posts

Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NY/NJ

iTrader: (28)

Oh duh the extended armrest length and padding I guess.
Appreciate 0
      09-18-2019, 03:58 AM   #22
Mc 007
Private First Class
Croatia
7
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: E92 330d
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Istria

iTrader: (0)

Hi
Someone know how to divide in 2 parts the armrest? Have to change leather
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:22 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST