Great looking mod, got to be my next job 
How To Guide Fitting E46 arm rest Z3
- Thread starter Sean d
- Start date
Got mine a couple of weeks ago, have cut it down but still need to get the console out and get it fitted. Do you have to get the whole centre console out or just the bit from the gear lever back? 
Will have to knock myself out getting the gear selector off again then
Only took it off yesterday to fit a new shiny one from the Stealers 
Fitted to the spare console ready to go in, the 3x 6mm bolts go into rivnuts, its solid with no movement
Agreed and a great little guide, all that's missing is a "How to get the Console out for dummies so they don't break all the clips on switches etc" feature 
I'm a bit daunted by this, is it easy to remove?
I'm a bit daunted by this, is it easy to remove?
Its quite simple but there are some hidden screws, there is a how to somewhere. all switches just push outAgreed and a great little guide, all that's missing is a "How to get the Console out for dummies so they don't break all the clips on switches etc" feature
Found the one under the ashtray, a little search on YouTube has revealed 2 more once the radio is out. I'll do a bit more research before I plunge in
Yes, the ones behind the stereo are the secret ones, you then have to ease the heater controls off as they are clipped on
Thanks Sean. What have you used to give the nice sheen to the black area of the armrest & the area of the console it's attached to? They have a thin film of some sort of rubberised finish on them at the moment but the finish you've got on there looks great
I scotch brighted them and used satin black out of a rattle canThanks Sean. What have you used to give the nice sheen to the black area of the armrest & the area of the console it's attached to? They have a thin film of some sort of rubberised finish on them at the moment but the finish you've got on there looks great
( luckily didnt end up with two of them!!!)
Well made a start.....its a lot harder than I imagined, as the plastic is hard and difficult to hold, but have got some of it removed.
Of course, I was only joking about printing off Seans pictures.....
..........it was easier to have them on the laptop right in front of me ( hope I’m not infringing any copyrights???)
First lump off..
Cut down the handbrake side, but left about 10-15 mm to trim down.
Used some gaffer tape to try to keep it straight on the bit that sits in the tray.
So far so good....but thats it for today. No point rushing it.
From this point, I might start filing it rather than sawing it. ( and get the vernier out to check all the dimensions !)
Of course, I was only joking about printing off Seans pictures.....
..........it was easier to have them on the laptop right in front of me ( hope I’m not infringing any copyrights???)
First lump off..
Cut down the handbrake side, but left about 10-15 mm to trim down.
Used some gaffer tape to try to keep it straight on the bit that sits in the tray.
So far so good....but thats it for today. No point rushing it.
From this point, I might start filing it rather than sawing it. ( and get the vernier out to check all the dimensions !)
I used air tools once I was at the stage you are now, mainly an angle grinder and belt saw, just kept trimming and test fitting in my spare consoleWell made a start.....its a lot harder than I imagined, as the plastic is hard and difficult to hold, but have got some of it removed.
Of course, I was only joking about printing off Seans pictures.....
..........it was easier to have them on the laptop right in front of me ( hope I’m not infringing any copyrights???)
First lump off..
View attachment 106931
Cut down the handbrake side, but left about 10-15 mm to trim down.
View attachment 106933
Used some gaffer tape to try to keep it straight on the bit that sits in the tray.
View attachment 106935
So far so good....but thats it for today. No point rushing it.
From this point, I might start filing it rather than sawing it. ( and get the vernier out to check all the dimensions !)
That's an idea, I have a small angle grinder and loads of 1mm cutting discs. Thankyou
the cutting discs will melt it pal, get some 36 grit discs to grind it away
Thanks for the advice Sean,
Just picked up a Backing Pad, and a pack of 10 off, 36 grit fibre sanding discs, Less than £6 for both, from Toolstation.
Just picked up a Backing Pad, and a pack of 10 off, 36 grit fibre sanding discs, Less than £6 for both, from Toolstation.
They whip it down really quicklyThanks for the advice Sean,
Just picked up a Backing Pad, and a pack of 10 off, 36 grit fibre sanding discs, Less than £6 for both, from Toolstation.
The back will need an angle putting on it as the tray that it goes into is angled