smart arm rest, do you like it?

[yuckmoon]

Has anyone out there installed the armrest. I remember seeing a thread posted where you could get one, but no one has said whether or not they liked it, at least not that I can remember. I used to always lean on the one in my last car and missed it on the recent road trip. But I have concern that it may be a bit cramping. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Lindy

[eolon]

It's ok, but quite flimsy.

I'm sure if I put a lot of weight on it it would break.

Best Regards,


e

.::.

[RussBarnes]

Lindy,

I have had an armrest in mine since late Jan. I got the one off eBay that comes from Canada. It has a storage area in the top.
Pro:
Added storage is great.
Being able to rest arm on a trip is just what I wanted.
I have had other people in my car that are wider than I am, I have a 36" waist,
and no cramped feeling, but always with passenger back and me forward.
It comes real close to matching the interior and doesn't look add-on.

Con:
It has a flimsy feel and it makes me wonder if it will hold up, but in 3,500 miles,
no problems.
When I have a passenger their leaning against it causes it to touch my seat and
cause a squeek. So I have to push back just a little since I hate squeeks.
I had no trouble installing it, but some have fussed about the emergency brake
or the screws.....I don't think they did it right.
There is a minor difficulty hooking seat belts, but not a big deal.
It is harder to reach the tilt mechanism for the driver seat, but I got used to it.


Would I buy it again? In a heartbeat and even if 30% more. If there was a sturdier, stronger, better design would I change? In a heartbeat even if double the cost, but it needs some of the features like storage; just quiet, firm and easier to use other features.

[Paul A]

I have the same armrest, and agree it is quite flimsy. I did see another armrest at smartieparts.com it looks a lot stronger but I can't tell if it has storage. It's also more than double the price.
MDC Leather Arm Rest - US$265.51 : SmartieParts, Smart Parts for Smart Cars

[tigerwong58]

I agree it isn't that strong and could break if you put your body weight on it to get out, but for under $ 100 it's not bad. I added additional screws and it makes it more stable. It serves it's purpose for my right elbow.

[Docthrock]

I have the flimsy one from Canada still in the box. I started to install it and decided not to drill anything. I tried it for a couple days just stuck in position. I found it was more trouble than it was worth.

One of these days, I'll probably sell it cheap.

[Smart Enuf]

Originally Posted by Docthrock

I have the flimsy one from Canada still in the box. I started to install it and decided not to drill anything. I tried it for a couple days just stuck in position. I found it was more trouble than it was worth.

One of these days, I'll probably sell it cheap.

What do you want for it?

[ShaneXman]

Originally Posted by Smart Enuf

What do you want for it?

+1...

[Kermit]

I agree with what Russ said except for the CONS, I don't have a squeak and 98% of my miles have been with a passenger. I've only had my armrest in for 2000 miles and it has been great.

My only problem with it. It is very cheaply made and the rest itself swiveled from side to side, I put pressure on it then it would easily slide over to my passenger - same thing if they put pressure on it.

SOLUTION! - I added industrial grade Velcro to bottom of it where the arm rest portion rests on the base. Problem solved and I can still fold it up to buckle up.

I keep forgetting about the extra storage space it has too.

[buellwinkle]

I'm trying to get one from Berlin Tuning but language barrier maybe an issue. Took me an hour just to figure out how to register to buy something. It's leather that matches the factory leather. Don't have a clue or care if it opens. It attaches to the back where the seat mounts so it should move with the seat. Yes, it's expensive at 169 euros but that's not their fault, just a weak dollar. If anyone knows where I can get it locally, please let me know (don't say smartieparts, they are a waste of cyberspace, all you get to do there is put it on your wish list, can't really buy it).