Posted by Agent99 on April 23, 2001 at 20:07:31:

For starters, the part number for the black leather, European, non-phone, tilting/sliding, with a storage tray armrest is:

51-16-2-427-367 (again, black leather one)

At Pacific BMW it is $301.20 (list is $419).

(Non Leather, non sliding storage bin is about $90 from Pacific BMW)

The car I am installing this in is a 2001 530i so your car may be slightly different.





Several pics of the armrest and its tray. The armrest is leather.



Dimensions of the tray. It is a nice tray that is rubber lined so that coins placed in there will not make noise as they move around. I was impressed with the quality of the
tray--very nice. Unfortunately, I doubt that sunglasses in a case will fit in here.


Get in the back seat as most of the install will be done here. As you can see, I do not have rear cupholders (no longer installed in 2001 5ers) so you will have to figure out how to remove your cupholder if you have a 97-00 5er. Insert both your hands and push up firmly to pop out the rear storage bin. Set aside.


Here's a view of what is behind the storage bin.


Next, the rear vents should gently slide down and out.


The rear vents have a cable attached but it is plenty long so just set it on the hump below the armrest--no need to disconnect it. Just make sure it is out of the way of the
vent tube when you reinstall it at the end.


Get your Phillips #2 and remove both of those screws. You will use these screws again so don't lose them!


Here is a view with the phone armrest completely removed.


Here is a close up of the phone wiring harness. I didn't buzz the wires but I am sure there is a power wire in there. The antenna wire is also there. The wires must be tucked back under the armrest and the "wire holder black plastic thingy" must be removed.


Refer to the beginning pics of the new armrest but you simply plop it back onto the frame and secure it just as the phone armrest was secured: with those two screws I told you not to lose.


However! There are two additional threaded posts that need nuts and washers! Damn! I didn't know that! So off to the hardware store I went.


Here are the sizes you need for the armrest. (BillP, I have 3 each left so we are all ready for your install). Maybe someone knows what to order through BMW for the parts
but in case you can't wait to figure that out, your local hardware store should have these in stock for you. Notice that I got locknuts instead of regular nuts. Locknuts
have a little plastic washer inserted in the nut to prevent loosening. I figured--"What the hey!"


So with a 7 mm socket/wrench (9/32 SAE should work, too), tighten those nuts up. The armrest is now done! Next is the tray.


Here is a view where the tray will go. Notice that I've tucked the phone wiring harness back within that rectangular hole. You can still see the antenna wire.


Now it is a matter of putting the tray in. You will notice a "tab & slot" type of deal going on with the tray. This secures it into the armrest frame. Start with the front
and then lay it full in and then push down HARD on the tray to seat it and lock the rear tabs in. Study the tray and you will know what I mean.



Slid all the way forward


This is the only part of the armrest I didn't like as it seems like the vent should be covering more of this. So unless I did something wrong or another part is needed (like
a vent that is slightly "taller"), this is the way it is. I will find out for sure with a friend of mine in France who didn't get the phone on his 530d (Paul, you reading this?)


Here is the old phone holder, crappy armrest that every frickin' 5er in the United States of American receives! I'll sell it cheeeeeeep to anyone who wants it!

Reverse to finish up everything--insert air vents and push up to lock in place and then snap back in your cupholder or storage bin. DONE!

Chris
2001 530i