e36 Arm Rest in a e30???

[Garageaholic]

Is it wider than the E30 center console?

[Aerton]

You are my hero, good job!!! Did you take pics of the hacked arm-erst parts, during the build????

Are there any concerns that drilling into the tunnel will create rust spots? I know what I have learned from making holes to mount a dead pedal on my MKII Jetta, it rusted like crazy.

[bmw325csi]

Just finished the install. Works nicely and looks ok but it took me fovever to mount it and it was a big PITA. Im definetly going e46 route, it looks as if it will fit better.
This is only a mock up, if i decide to keep it i will trim it up more to match the e30. Its pretty stable but i hacked away most of the armrest mount and screwed it directly thru the tranny tunnel. I also used one of the ashtray mounting screws to screw the front thru the tunnel, i used a plastic spacer to keep the console straight with the shifter console, lastly it is screwed thru the shifter console to close the gap.

[scobaru]

I'll snag it. I'm no stranger to fabercating...

[Aerton]

Snatch it and then worry about working on it, on eBay they are expensive. To tell you the truth it's not a bolt an forget it project, it is plenty involved. Not impossible but it will require fabrication of metal brakets and I'm thinking fiberglass.
After watching chop/cut & rebuild I was inspired by the work done on the Bricklin SV1. One kid made an entire center console to die for, just using 1/4 inch plywood and then fiber glassing the entire thing. I'm thinking of building one but I'm sure I'm going to get flamed by the BMW purist in this and other sites. Oh well if I have the time I will do that and let the chips fall where they may.

[scobaru]

any updates? theres an E36 at my local yard

[328ijunkie]

Interesting...I want. I like my E36s armrest.

[Aerton]

Sorry to disappoint you guys but.... I started it with much enthusiasm as any new project should be undertaken. Then reality kicks in the minute you try to fit the e36 armrest in place. It is wider (a little cutting) the rear does a funny thing where it is taller and the plastic that covers the mechanism rises like two inches off the floor. This will require some fiber-glassing not such a big deal. Then if you do not want to drill holes onto your transmission hump you need to come up with a bracket that takes advantage of the puny little bolt that hold the stock unit. Not sure if the e46 armrest is easier or any different. As soon as the weather permits I will go out there and work on it some more. Any e46 center console donors???

[Staticpulse]

Just checking to see if we can get any pics of progress. Very interested if someone could figure it out and post a DIY.

[thereisnoyun]

e36 center consoles are a pain in the ass to deal with just fyi, havent messed with an e46 though

I have... with the e46 armrest, you need mold the front to attach to the shifter console, cause its slanted on the e46 piece. Then you have to bulk out the carpet a bit, because its too wide, and it will hang off the side visibly. Then you need to make new mounting holes because the stock single plastic thign that sticks out isnt going to cut it.

Its ridculously heavy with the armrest in place, you would need to bolt it down to the sheet metal all over the bottom for this to be feasible and functional.

[NC325iC]

e36 center consoles are a pain in the ass to deal with just fyi, havent messed with an e46 though

[Roadsterd]

Any updates?

[328ijunkie]

I was also interested in doing this.

[Schneider325]

^ Try reading this thread. The answer is already infront of you.

[soviet1942]

So is that the arm rest I will need to get my interior to look like that? It is fit right in or will I have to mod it?