Is the armrest adjustable?

[whitebimmer09]

Mine kind of points down, I installed a bluetooth device and I think the armrest puts all the weight on that. Is it supposed to click up and down or be adjustable? I had someone in my car and they were leaning really hard on it and it was putting a lot of pressure on my bluetooth receiver that I have in the little pouch on the bottom. It just doesn't seem right?

[Overpar56]

Mine doesn't click. Mine feels like it's from a 1989 Kia Rio. It's pretty weak excuse of a armrest.

[Vigilante375]

Considering its hinged and hangs out as far as it does it doesn't help when someone uses it to "lean" on when adjusting themselves in the car. Mine doesn't click or anything either but if it isn't sitting level then your passenger did something for sure.

I dont believe its adjustable other than taking the back apart and seeing if the bolts or whatever holding it on are loose and can be readjusted.

[whitebimmer09]

It was not from him leaning on it it has always sloped downward. So mine broke and now tips forward...

[Bigiggs]

this is by far the worst piece attached to this car...I can't think of any other part that I would most like to replace.

[whitebimmer09]

I saw a post about someone removing the armrest and people attacked him about it. Yes it's cheap, but so is the plastics on the dashboard. I can't stand it!

[JimD]

The arm rest has a lot going on. There is a storage compartment in it, there is a bag under it if you have that option, and you have to lift it to get to the back cup holder. So it has to be hinged on one end (only) if it is going to be used all these ways. The hinge is also plastic (but pretty large) which doesn't help it be strong. Considering the design constraints, I think the BMW engineers did pretty well. If they had given us decent cup holders (somewhere else) and provided for hook up to phones differently, they could have done a lot better, however.

[Ed P]

I'm looking for a 2"-3" cushion to strap to the top of the armrest in my 135i, to raise it up a bit.

Anyone know of any solutions?

Thanks!

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by JimD

The arm rest has a lot going on. There is a storage compartment in it, there is a bag under it if you have that option, and you have to lift it to get to the back cup holder. So it has to be hinged on one end (only) if it is going to be used all these ways. The hinge is also plastic (but pretty large) which doesn't help it be strong. Considering the design constraints, I think the BMW engineers did pretty well. If they had given us decent cup holders (somewhere else) and provided for hook up to phones differently, they could have done a lot better, however.

You're right. The design itself probably isn't the big problem, it is the choice of materials. Specifically, the plastic used as hinges and contact points seem to have been chosen to maximize the noise they make as they rub together. I've never had a car with an armrest that made so much noise... and that is saying a lot considering I'm talking about '70s products like the Camaro and Opel 1900...

[Vigilante375]

Originally Posted by whitebimmer09

I saw a post about someone removing the armrest and people attacked him about it. Yes it's cheap, but so is the plastics on the dashboard. I can't stand it!

If anyone does anything like trying to make the car lighter by removing interior things or getting rid of something because they don't want it and it doesn't harm the car AT ALL, people start complaining.

Add things like carbon fiber door sills or pin stripes down the side and people drool all over it.......very weird this place is.......

[LuisBoston]

I agree with the comments above. I am fine with the rest of the 1 (in fact I can tell its a BMW compared to lesser cars), but the armrest is just pathetic. If I have a cup in the rear cupholder it hits the button to open the armrest (UGH!). I almost wish I had opted for the nav just to have the passenger knee-cupholder instead (not!).

At least with the 2 BMW fixed this.

[JimD]

Originally Posted by LuisSF

I agree with the comments above. I am fine with the rest of the 1 (in fact I can tell its a BMW compared to lesser cars), but the armrest is just pathetic. If I have a cup in the rear cupholder it hits the button to open the armrest (UGH!). I almost wish I had opted for the nav just to have the passenger knee-cupholder instead (not!).

At least with the 2 BMW fixed this.

I know not everybody likes it but I added the idrive cupholder to my e88 and my wife's. It's nice to have a relatively good cup holder. The hardest two things about the installation are removing the console and getting the nerve to cut the hole. The console isn't real hard to remove but there are a number of fasteners and you have to remove the shift knob.

[halfhalo]

I would just on the idrive cupholder in an instant, but I have a proclip mount there for my phone instead. If for whatever reason I need to use both cupholders, I just leave the armrest up, or tell the passenger they have to hold it.

[Esteban]

I agree that the armrest is a pos. It is not at the right height, at least for me, to rest my arm on comfortably while driving. It used to squeak until I sprayed a little WD-40 on the hinge. At least it's quiet now.

Steve

[whitebimmer09]

I don't mind that the arm rest blocks the back cup holder, that's my phone/coin/business card holder. I might have to tackle some type or arm rest repair shortly so I get it to stand up again...

[Overpar56]

If you guys didn't do a Detroit Lean, the armrest would be fine.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Overpar56

If you guys didn't do a Detroit Lean, the armrest would be fine.

But how can you look cool without doing it?

[IEDEI]

the only 'adjustments' i've noticed in two 1ers i've had is 'low rattle' mode and 'high rattle' mode. lol

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

the only 'adjustments' i've noticed in two 1ers i've had is 'low rattle' mode and 'high rattle' mode. lol

Today I superlubed the armrest hinges with Griot's tire gel. And I mean SUPER lubed them. We'll see how long the armrest will stay in the 'low rattle' mode. Last lube of the hinges using 303 helped for a few weeks... we'll see if tire gel lasts any longer.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by RickMsport

Today I superlubed the armrest hinges with Griot's tire gel. And I mean SUPER lubed them. We'll see how long the armrest will stay in the 'low rattle' mode. Last lube of the hinges using 303 helped for a few weeks... we'll see if tire gel lasts any longer.

oh let us know how that goes. I don't even know how to describe the sound I have...creak? squeak? rattle?

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by RickMsport

Today I superlubed the armrest hinges with Griot's tire gel. And I mean SUPER lubed them. We'll see how long the armrest will stay in the 'low rattle' mode. Last lube of the hinges using 303 helped for a few weeks... we'll see if tire gel lasts any longer.

Originally Posted by IEDEI

oh let us know how that goes. I don't even know how to describe the sound I have...creak? squeak? rattle?

Definitely an improvement so far, but we'll see how long the quieting effect lasts. I'm probably attracting a ton of dust and dirt... which won't drive me nearly as crazy as the squeaky rattle. It's definitely a squeak caused by friction between plastic surfaces. I'm wondering if some sort of dry lube like graphite may do a better job.

[Billup]

Originally Posted by Overpar56

If you guys didn't do a Detroit Lean, the armrest would be fine.

Hey, the infamous Detroit lean was originated in old Fleetwood Caddy's. In the BMWs, we like to call it leaning like a Detroit Sir, instead.


I don't have any real gripes about the crummy arm rest, other than the cheap materials. Mine doesn't sag, thankfully. I just hate that the second cup holder is just a tease if the arm rest is down. I keep a few things in there that I hate having rattle around if its in the up position.