I installed an E46 console

[catchuk]

I know there are alot of people that hate the e46 console in the e30 but I really wanted a solid cup holder and armrest so I modified it to fit.

I cut down on the arm rest assemble because it was too high and then i make grooves in my shfter console to make them line up at the same height. On the back portion of the console I cut and arc into it, to fit better as it rests on the driveshaft hump. The actual arm rest is scewed down in 4 places so its pretty solid.

I know the seats look like crap, one these days im going to get around to taking them in to get recovered.

[Farbin Kaiber]

It does not look terrible. form over function

[twothrees]

It looks like you did a good job matching the shifter console to the front of the armrest console.

[ieatpeople]

that looks really nice, i want one now.

[devonjordan]

Now the real question is whether or not those hazard and lock buttons work...

Nice job man!

[atomic]

Any other detailed pictures of the arm rest and what you did to modify it to mount it in place?

You said you slotted the front console so the e46 console would slip into it, which I understand since I have a e46 console laying around. I also understand and can see where you cut the arch so it will fit down over the driveshaft hump. I assume you have gaps on boths sides of the e46 console where it has that arched area on the front side where it meets up to the front console section though??


looks good so far...

:up:

[dude8383]

that came out quite nice. can you get some more pics up of how you modified the arm rest?

*EDIT*

atomic, you beat me to it.

[bmw325csi]

Looks really clean, But im guessing you still have tiny gaps on the front sides.

[catchuk]

theres not much of a gap on the drivers side but there is a slight gap on the passenger.


you can see the piece i cut off, i ended up taking off another 1/2" with the dremel after. I get grinding until it was level, lots of trial and error.

Ill try and get better shots of the gap later.

Also the front of the console where the screw holes are, were bent down a little with the use of a heat gun to make the surfaces match up closer, because the factory console is angled more.

[catchuk]

Looks really clean, But im guessing you still have tiny gaps on the front sides.

yes there is a gap on the front sides, im not sure how im going to fill it but im sure it wont be too difficult

[bmw325csi]

^ I say fiberglass from the back, even it out, Thats how i did my buddies, wish i had pics. Or even a little plastic from the back glued on.

[catchuk]

^ I say fiberglass from the back, even it out, Thats how i did my buddies, wish i had pics. Or even a little plastic from the back glued on.

yeah I was thinking some black plastic from the backside

[bostonbmw]

looks great!

[87e30]

Would you mind taking some pictures of the gap that everyone keeps talking about?

That looks great to me, of course it would need to be seen in person for the true effect on the interior.

[smonkbmw]

good match up, id like to do this sometime too but the last pic i saw of this the colors were two seperate colors and didnt look right. i for sure would want the hazard switch to work for sure, having the door lock button work would be cool too.