Gauging Interest: E46 console retrofit service

[erik325i]

Interested in seeing final pics.

[rhett325i]

Interested in seeing the finished product. You probably should have waited to start this thread until you had one done.

[glucklich21]

Well yes, but it's more fun to keep you waiting. Also I wanted to see if it was even worth the trouble trying to simplify it and no one would want it.

[quikveedb2]

Interested in seeing the finished product.

[glucklich21]

See post here: http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showpos...8&postcount=20

Then....

Yay for a crappy camera!







So here's what I have so far. It isn't actually mounted perse, but it's pretty much where it would be. Only reason it's like that is I'm in a delima. There's 3 ways I can go about fixing it.







The emergency brake release button is a little close to the console. Possible solutions:


1. Chop off about .5 in from the front of the E46 console to clear the emergency brake
-Disadvantages:E46 console would require repainting and plastic dip doesn't come in tan if it were to be a tan or even a grey one.

2. Trim the rear of the E30 console about .5 in.
-Disadvantages: May look weird, gotta play with photoshop a bit

3. Cut a slot into the E30 console that the front of the E46 console slides into.
-Disadvantages: may look weird and a little bit more fiberglassing work for me

4. Somehow shorten the emergency brake
-Disadvantages: Dunno how it's done and it may affect function.

The mounts*:

The idea with it being mounted in the car is to use the factory studs so no holes will need to be drilled. I still have to do some testing to see if they will actually be enough. If not, you can always drill some holes.....

*Missing the side support bar as my tools crapped out and I don't a replacement that can cut aluminum. ;)









The cardboard's replacement:

[E30Nova]

I just cut a .5"-1" piece out of the ebrake handle. The button just unscrews. Then you can cut the handle an the rod inside it. After that I rethreaded the rod and the button screws back on. I still have to weld the handle back together, but it works perfectly.

I JB Welded it to test it and it actually held up to me really ripping up the handle, but for peace of mind I'm going to weld it.

[mmire30]

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80990

i hope that helps.

[nrubenstein]

I would be interested. I'd want you to do it, not the kit.

[sonnyqm3]

I am interested...

[17sd]

Interested.
Let me know when you're ready to offer it.

['e30love']

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80990

i hope that helps.

If you're willing to offer this and get the same results you"d be money. And I'd be very interested.

[trackjunkie21]

interested

[ac3]

def interested!

[bmw325csi]

this is taking too long. Final results please!

[glucklich21]

You want to go to college for me? ;)

We are now on design #3 for this. I use my armrest as a way of getting positioned into my seat as I have quite long legs. So mounting it has never been a problem, it's keeping it sturdy and maintaining that sturdiness over time with a 175 lbs person leaning on it multiple times a day.