How To Guide Fitting E46 arm rest Z3

[bonbon]

Looks really good.
I see your cup holder is flush with the original part - the ones I saw stand out a few inches

 

[Rictic60]

Looks really good.
I see your cup holder is flush with the original part - the ones I saw stand out a few inches

Can't remember where I got the cup holder from now wasn't expensive about £20.....if I can remember I'll post a link

 

[bonbon]

I guess it’s this one.
I just ordered one as the ashtray these days is useless.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Rictic60]

That's the one.. needs fixing with adhesive....I used 3m tape

 

[Kenhayes247]

I did this mod a few years ago as well but had a different cup holder I mounted the armrest in. The armrest has an ugly spring on show either side. I bought 2 black plastic centre hub caps for an X type jaguar filed the mounting lugs off and hot glued them over the springs, perfect size and gives it a better appearance. You may of course have a solution already. I can upload a picture if you would like to see.

 

[Rictic60]

Pictures are always good thanks

 

[Rictic60]

Got some coming set of 4 so I will have two spare if any one would like some be about £5 inc post

 

[Kenhayes247]

That's the badgers

 

[Kenhayes247]

Some pictures of mine, looks like it's due a clean!

 

[Rictic60]

Cool thanks be doing mine soon...where did you get the gearstick chrome surround?

 

[Kenhayes247]

Off a member here who had bought it but then sold his Zed on and never fitted it. A quick search revealed that "Southernboy" a forum member on here does or did sell them. He's recently come back online so maybe try him.

 

[t-tony]

He's said he won't be doing gear selector surrounds. At least not until he can find a reliable maker.

Tony.

 

[Trevor /chedder]

Mad a couple of covers for the spring bits on the printer. Happy to share file if useful

 

[bonbon]

Isn’t this being a bit anal considering the sides are not visible because of the chairs on either side?

 

[Trevor /chedder]

Isn’t this being a bit anal considering the sides are not visible because of the chairs on either side?

Well maybe, but it took me 10 mins to design, the printer does it's thing and superglued on in minutes. Also i can see the sides in the car and they looked scrappy to me.

 

[Rictic60]

Fitted final pic

 

[t-tony]

That looks fine to me.

Tony.

 

[bonbon]

Ok - went for it with a LHD.
So far so good. I made it higher than Sean not to interfere with my handbrake and will now try with silicone as did not want to dismantle the console. Hope it holds my light elbow.
Note that it is artwork to get the angles and corners right. Hacksaw and dremel.
Note that for a RHD the dimensions are mirror image - but should be the same. (The 5.0cm dimension would be a better fit if it’s a bit bigger about 5.2. Basically work down to the dimensions in the images until the fit is snug. The notch in the rear is important for 2 reasons: to provide another ledge for adhesion and to enable the easy removal of the handbrake boot)
Note that had to tighten up the handbrake cables so when pulled up it didn’t reach the armrest.

This is my daily (453,000km) and this has been the best upgrade by a mile. Worth the (mediocre) effort.

 

[WEZ1963]

I used the Dutch Super7. Looks good.
I’m waiting 48 hours before I put it under stress. 36h so far
(I’m confident in will be ok over the winter. The question is what’ll happen in our summer heat).
If one has able hands it’s definitely worth the effort. IMO puts the interior in a different league. This is a super option if you don’t want a z3 cup holder. If you have one, there is much simpler solution. Just buy a replacement e46 top armrest (a few bob on aliexpress), remove the two ears and silicone a plastic hinge to the back of the cup holder.

This was going to be my route as I already have a cupholder but I can’t find a RHD armrest top so think I’ll have to go the hard way? 🫣

 

[bonbon]

If you have a cup holder and want the simple way - Aliexpress have replacement e46 tops which you can rework by simply cutting off the “ears”
(But it’s not as good as the rework of the OEM e46)