Armrests Made Out Of Granite?

I just purchased the Leather Z door armrests...$50.00 for the pair in Black Leather. I'm going to try them out in a few days...I will post photos. I wonder if the leather center console is softer than the fabric...Anyone know? If not then I will probably upholster myself as several others have done...found some nice high density rubber foam now just cut to fit...

 

Well, I sure hope they wear like granite. The fabric end of the center arm rest looks like it'll be the first place to show wear.

 

They may feel like granite but they sure dont act like it. Dont lean on them too hard or else

 

I don't think that center console is leather. Feels like vinyl.

 

I went to a local upholstery shop and had them make a leather center console cover. Also I wanted it to be higher/thicker so they added three inches of foam. They removed the original cover and replaced it with the leather unit. Now, I can rest my right arm on the console and grip the steering wheel for a relaxed driving position.

The leather color matches very well and will be easier to clean than the stock fabric. The cost was $45.

 

Might that shop be interested in producing them in limited quantity? Either work with PC as a product in the PC Shop area, or offer them to us retail? I have a V with bisque - the low center armrest has always been irritating.
Can you snap a few pictures of yours?

 

Fantastic mod! Yes, please share pics of your new/improved armrest.

 

"Might that shop be interested in producing them in limited quantity?" I doubt this small mom and pop place would be interested in making more than one at a time. The mother is retired but does some of the sewing machine work on a "one off" basis. The two sons do windshield replacement/AC repair and other interior repair. This job took about a month after I removed the console cover and delivered it to him.

I'll try to take some pictures and post them.

 

+1

A little padding would be nice, but IMO, the faux pas is the 2010 driver door armrest is too low, about an inch or so. Not a trivial fix one can find at the local auto parts store either.

 

Says installation is permanent. Really? Let us know. thx.

LeatherZ: Z3 Door Armrests

I might be more inclined to get a piece cut from a foam factory, sew on a cover and stick with double sided tape.

I already tried the 'hook' portion of velcro, and it does not stick to the fabric part of armrest.

 

FYI,

door armrest in the 2010 about 3/4" lower than center armrest ..

in the Gen2, it's about 1/2"+ higher than center, depending on where measured.

wooops, little oversight there. Inch higher please.

 

Spent a $1.50 and bought an experimental piece of stuff the foam factory tech called 'Crosslink' material pic'd below.

It's 1" thick and is very firm like neoprene, but cheaper. Light Gray material. Stuck it on with double-sided duct tape. Much better than low armrest. Would try for nice shape in my own car, not this rental.

** note - duct tape might harm leather **

 

I carefully pried the armrest pad off today. The double-sided duct tape had a firm grip on the fabric, but did not damage the fabric at all. Gotta return the rental tomorrow.

** note - duct tape might harm leather **

 

The perfect fix is a computer keyboard wrist pad. Made of neoprene rubber, 3/4 to 1" thick, many pattens from which to choose, cuttable with scissors to fit, and available at a variety of office supply outlets...what more do you need? It not only pads the armrest, it raises the height to a more comfortable position. Give it a try. Been using one for five years in a vriety of vehicles. Sometimes simpler IS better.

 

im ok with mine

 

My 2005 suffers the very same problem. Took me a year to figure out why my arms hurt!

 

See my post in the Accessories forum...
Leather Z looks really nice and i finally installed mine.