Retro fitting centre armrest

Ush1 · 04-03-2010 11:55pm #1

What's your opinions on these:

http://www.micksgarage.ie/proddetails.aspx?pid=194435&pk=38312

Think they might make the interior look a little classier and be comfortable.

bazz26 · 05-03-2010 12:16am

Might be cheaper to source one from a scrap yard.

Ush1 · 05-03-2010 12:18am

bazz26 wrote: »

Might be cheaper to source one from a scrap yard.

Would that be a Ford original one or an Armster one? I'm not sure if the Focus mk1.5 ever had one as an extra.

bazz26 · 05-03-2010 12:32am

Ush1 wrote: »

Would that be a Ford original one or an Armster one? I'm not sure if the Focus mk1.5 ever had one as an extra.

I presume a Ford original, the higher spec models like a Ghia saloon would have had them fitted.

Sticky Fingers · 05-03-2010 6:06am

I bought one of these for my 2004 Golf recently and they are great. It literally took about 10 mins to fit. The storage within the armrest is big. The only thing going against it is the quality isn't as good compared to the real thing, but I suppose that it is to be expected. I tried to get an armrest from all the breakers in Dublin, however, not one available and hard to get as they are not standard on most Golfs.

EPM · 05-03-2010 8:04am

I looked into this when I had a Mk 1.5. Most of the ones available were complete tat. Originally the Ghia did have an armrest but it was attached to the seat. I dont know if the seats in other models had the fitting to hinge one or not though. Mine didnt appear to and that was a Zetec/Collection model.

From what I remember there was an armrest in the US spec model that might fit onto the centre console.

Ush1 · 05-03-2010 8:57am

EPM wrote: »

I looked into this when I had a Mk 1.5. Most of the ones available were complete tat. Originally the Ghia did have an armrest but it was attached to the seat. I dont know if the seats in other models had the fitting to hinge one or not though. Mine didnt appear to and that was a Zetec/Collection model.

From what I remember there was an armrest in the US spec model that might fit onto the centre console.

Ah right, just looking there, so the Ghia one wouldn't attach to the Zetec seats?

EPM · 05-03-2010 9:03am

Ush1 wrote: »

Ah right, just looking there, so the Ghia one wouldn't attach to the Zetec seats?

I don't think so. I couldn't find somewhere on mine to attach it. Not saying there isn't but it could be a risk. You will also have to cut a slot in the seat and the Ghia seat material is also different to Zetec

Ush1 · 05-03-2010 9:10am

EPM wrote: »

I don't think so. I couldn't find somewhere on mine to attach it. Not saying there isn't but it could be a risk. You will also have to cut a slot in the seat and the Ghia seat material is also different to Zetec

Yeah, can see it there. You'd have to change the seat to really make it look alright which wouldn't be worth it.

So there's an American model or the Armster one are my options!:)

EPM · 05-03-2010 9:23am

You might find ther armrest completely useless though. The driving position is so high even on the lowest setting that I couldn't imagine a fixed one being any good, in the same way it's pretty useless in the Mk2 Focus. Probably the reason why it's attached to the seat in the Ghia

Ush1 · 05-03-2010 9:26am

EPM wrote: »

You might find ther armrest completely useless though. The driving position is so high even on the lowest setting that I couldn't imagine a fixed one being any good, in the same way it's pretty useless in the Mk2 Focus. Probably the reason why it's attached to the seat in the Ghia

Yeah, does look very high, ideally you'd like it so your hand is resting near the gear stick. The Armster one has adjustable height so it looks like the best option I think, fairly pricey though!

EPM · 05-03-2010 9:47am

Ush1 wrote: »

Yeah, does look very high, ideally you'd like it so your hand is resting near the gear stick. The Armster one has adjustable height so it looks like the best option I think, fairly pricey though!

Be careful, a lot of those are brutal quality and look odd when fitted.

Also, be sure it will fit the Mk 1.5. The centre console shape changed ever so slightly when it was facelifted

Ush1 · 05-03-2010 10:00am

EPM wrote: »

Be careful, a lot of those are brutal quality and look odd when fitted.

Also, be sure it will fit the Mk 1.5. The centre console shape changed ever so slightly when it was facelifted

Cheers yeah, it screws in over the rear drink holder. I might see if I can get a look at one before I got for it like but at least that one is tailor made for the mk 1.5.

.Longshanks. · 05-03-2010 11:24am

Ush1 wrote: »

Cheers yeah, it screws in over the rear drink holder. I might see if I can get a look at one before I got for it like but at least that one is tailor made for the mk 1.5.

It does but bear in mind that it can move left and right slightly (if pushed) because its only as secure as the central console its screwed to. It is however solid as a rock when press on (ie your normal resting arm position)

I fitted one in my car and the leather covering is a perfect colour match to the leather sections on my seats. Might look a bit odd if your seats are totally cloth. Nice small bit of extra out of sight storage too.

Pics
picture.php?albumid=483&pictureid=2931

Ush1 · 05-03-2010 11:58am

Longshanks100 wrote: »

It does but bear in mind that it can move left and right slightly (if pushed) because its only as secure as the central console its screwed to. It is however solid as a rock when press on (ie your normal resting arm position)

I fitted one in my car and the leather covering is a perfect colour match to the leather sections on my seats. Might look a bit odd if your seats are totally cloth. Nice small bit of extra out of sight storage too.

Pics

Good point actually about the leather and fabric, is that the grey leatherette in those pics?

.Longshanks. · 05-03-2010 12:41pm

Ush1 wrote: »

Good point actually about the leather and fabric, is that the grey leatherette in those pics?

They're suppose to be genuine half leather seats but my pic has a blue cast to it. Better here;

EPM · 05-03-2010 11:24pm

Longshanks100 wrote: »

It does but bear in mind that it can move left and right slightly (if pushed) because its only as secure as the central console its screwed to. It is however solid as a rock when press on (ie your normal resting arm position)

I fitted one in my car and the leather covering is a perfect colour match to the leather sections on my seats. Might look a bit odd if your seats are totally cloth. Nice small bit of extra out of sight storage too.

Pics

Looks OEM

.Longshanks. · 05-03-2010 11:53pm

EPM wrote: »

Looks OEM

To be honest it does. I did have to think long & hard about fitting it as I lost the dock for a Bluetooth cradle for my phone. But it was only a unsightly dock - the actual cradle was €150-200 extra from Opel :eek: & to top it off they didn't have one to fit my Sony phone at the time.
I've since got an iPhone that Takes calls thru bluetooth and plays music thru an aux input near the gearstick so a dock would be useless.

To the OP, go for if u think the leather finish will tone in with your existing seats, otherwise look for a better match

Retro fitting centre armrest

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