View Full Version : First Look: LeatherZ Mark3 Armrest!
AndyM
11-13-2002, 08:47 AM
The first (actually a pre-production model) LeatherZ Mark3 armrest was installed this past Sunday. Production is beginning in the next couple of days and we should have them up in the store and ready to ship in the next week or so. This unit was finished in Black leather but we will offer all the Mini interior colors (Please note that my camera turned the Panther Black leather a blue color). Unlike some of the lesser quality armrests available, ours is made with an anodized aluminum base. The armrest itself has 1/4" of padding and is finished in Spinneybeck Leather. Our unit lets you retain the use of the cupholder at the back of the center console and is the same height as the door armrests. No need to move your arm off the armrest when shifting!
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest06.jpg
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest07.jpg
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest03.jpg
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest04.jpg
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest02.jpg
Mr. The Edge
11-13-2002, 08:50 AM
Originally posted by AndyM
The first (actually a pre-production model) LeatherZ Mark3 armrest was installed this past Sunday. Production is beginning in the next couple of days and we should have them up in the store and ready to ship in the next week or so. This unit was finished in Black leather but we will offer all the Mini interior colors (Please note that my camera turned the Panther Black leather a blue color). Unlike some of the lesser quality armrests available, ours is made with an anodized aluminum base. The armrest itself has 1/4" of padding and is finished in Spinneybeck Leather. Our unit lets you retain the use of the cupholder at the back of the center console and is the same height as the door armrests. No need to move your arm off the armrest when shifting!
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest06.jpg
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest07.jpg
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest03.jpg
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest04.jpg
http://www.leatherz.com/pics/coupes/lz2/Mini/MiniArmrest02.jpg
looks great! how easy/hard will the DIY install be? (We are expecting our MCS in February, so I don't really know what the interior/console even looks like at this point)
AndyM
11-13-2002, 09:25 AM
Installation took me about 5 minutes (This included pictures and notes for the install instructions). I have a little bit of experience installing armrests ;) but I think anyone could install it in the same amount of time. Installtion requires drilling 3 holes. We include everything you need, correct drill bit, all mounting hardware and even a greese pencil to mark the holes! I have always shot to have the actual installation time for all of our products take around 5 minutes and less time than it takes to read the instructions.
Bimmerfest Mini Board Contest
Can anyone correctly guess the retail price of the center console (not the armrest, the console)?
What's the prize?
If you correctly guess the retail price of the center console (what the Mark3 mounts to), I will give you the first Mark3 I build. No kidding.
Rules, small print and a hint
Please have fun with this, I know this is an honor system thing so I hope no one calls a parts department to get the price.
I was amazed at the price. This is a BMW afterall so the price was very different from other BMW parts (that's the hint ;) )
This contest is aimed at Mini owners but is open to any Bimmerfest member who wants a shot at winning one.
One guess per member. Contest ends 2 weeks from today. If no one is able to guess the correct price, I will work something out (someone will be very happy). I will also monitor this thread and if someone gets the price correct before the end of the contest, I will announce that the contest is over. First correct answer gets the armrest-if 2 people guess the correct price, I will go with whoever posted first.
Mr. The Edge
11-13-2002, 09:27 AM
$65
Mr. The Edge
11-13-2002, 09:33 AM
Originally posted by AndyM
Installation took me about 5 minutes (This included pictures and notes for the install instructions). I have a little bit of experience installing armrests ;) but I think anyone could install it in the same amount of time. Installtion requires drilling 3 holes. We include everything you need, correct drill bit, all mounting hardware and even a greese pencil to mark the holes! I have always shot to have the actual installation time for all of our products take around 5 minutes and less time than it takes to read the instructions.
good, I've got a couple of months to practice my hole-drilling. Hopefully By February I'll be ready to tackle it ;)
thanks Andy
Andy, make sure you cut atyclb a deal on a Mk3 armrest.
He is a big dog.
Mr. The Edge
11-13-2002, 09:50 AM
Originally posted by JonM
Andy, make sure you cut atyclb a deal on a Mk3 armrest.
He is a big dog.
WOOF!
AndyM
11-13-2002, 09:53 AM
I always help out bimmerfest members!
Contest was just a fun way to pass time while machinist is working on the bases.
The HACK
11-13-2002, 10:11 AM
Shouldn't the price somewhat depend on the leather? I know the stuff Jon used on my wife's read trims was REALLY EXPENSIVE (again, thanks Jon for digging that stuff up for me)
Anyway, I think it'll retail for $149 and STILL sell like hot cakes. Hell, the BMW armrest for the E46 retails for that much and it's not 1/10th as nice.
AndyM
11-13-2002, 10:44 AM
Hack,
The armrest price is going to be around $100 at introduction (price will go up after a few months). Obviously we will offer custom colors (Liquid Yellow, British Racing Green, etc. at higher cost and at limited numbers). The contest is for the Mini part, the plastic console around the E-brake that extends back into the rear seat area (there is a cupholder in this in the back).
The HACK
11-13-2002, 11:18 AM
Too bad you can't make this thing profitable
http://www.studio2321.com/carstuff/trim_install/images/driverside_interior.jpg
...I am still surprised NONE of the M3 guys are willing to foot up some $$$ to get a custom leatherZ interior trim.
Anyway, $100 sounds like a great price.
AndyM
11-13-2002, 11:38 AM
I don't think Jon liked doing them too much....
The HACK
11-13-2002, 12:25 PM
Originally posted by AndyM
I don't think Jon liked doing them too much....
I know...I'm still eternally grateful to Jon for spending two whole weeks on working on my wife's car. The coupes are just a pain in the *ss to work on with the door handles and their odd bends.
AKDejaVu
11-13-2002, 12:37 PM
Personal opinion warning:
The armrest looks great. The brushed metal has nice curves and fits in well with the interior...
until you get to the screws holding it in.
I will make modifications to my Mini... with one condition... anything I do must be able to seemlessly be undone.
AKDejaVu
Originally posted by AKDejaVu
Personal opinion warning:
The armrest looks great. The brushed metal has nice curves and fits in well with the interior...
until you get to the screws holding it in.
I will make modifications to my Mini... with one condition... anything I do must be able to seemlessly be undone.
AKDejaVu
The alternative to our armrest is the Fischer Price leather pillow:
http://new.minimania.com/mmimagesbig/NMI4020.jpg
No drilling required. The Price pillow retails for $89.95. It is a strap-on model. :bigpimp:
If you buy our armrest and want to replace the console with a new one someday without holes... it's cheap. Of course I cannot say how cheap for contest purposes.
Mr. The Edge
11-13-2002, 12:50 PM
is the armrest hinged in back, or is it permanently down?
SteveM
11-13-2002, 12:55 PM
I'm gonna guess $46.95
:dunno:
AndyM
11-13-2002, 12:57 PM
Originally posted by atyclb
is the armrest hinged in back, or is it permanently down?
The armrest is fixed. I am looking into one that folds up out of the way, as well as one with storage but don't see either coming anytime soon.
Drilling is the only way we could do it. I will not put my name behind anything like the 'Strap-On' pillow design. No armrest will match the strength of ours.
ZBB 325Ci
11-13-2002, 01:00 PM
OK, I'll take a guess that the cost of the MINI center console is $15...
Please note, my girlfriend has a Cooper S, so if I were to win, it would go in her car (the lack of an armrest really drives me nuts...
What other MINI accessories are you working one? I think it would be great to get a real aluminum dash (brushed, painted or dimpled) instead of the plastic stock dash piece.
AndyM
11-13-2002, 02:30 PM
Originally posted by ZBB 325Ci
OK, I'll take a guess that the cost of the MINI center console is $15...
Please note, my girlfriend has a Cooper S, so if I were to win, it would go in her car (the lack of an armrest really drives me nuts...
What other MINI accessories are you working one? I think it would be great to get a real aluminum dash (brushed, painted or dimpled) instead of the plastic stock dash piece.
I've got a few things in the works. Storage bin that mounts in the area infront of the cig lighter and 2 cupholders is the main one.
What about a leather dash?
Mr. The Edge
11-29-2002, 12:06 PM
okay, who wins?
:dunno: :dunno: :dunno:
I said $65, SteveM said $46.95 and ZBB said $15
(I'm guessing I missed by the most :cry: :cry: :cry: )
AndyM
11-29-2002, 01:45 PM
Originally posted by atyclb
okay, who wins?
:dunno: :dunno: :dunno:
I said $65, SteveM said $46.95 and ZBB said $15
(I'm guessing I missed by the most :cry: :cry: :cry: )
ZBB got it. I will have to find the receipt but retail is something like $21.35. I was shocked that a BMW part could actually be that cheap!
I will hook up you and SteveM up with a good discount for participating in the contest.
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