Looking for advice on which aftermarket armrest to fit to my 59 plate A3. There are obviously original ones that are extremely expensive and some others which claim to fit but wondered if anyone had any experience of which to avoid etc.
Ebay aftermarket arm rests
- Thread starter Fries
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alfiejts
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Having driven an A3 courtesy car yesterday with an armrest, I personally wouldn't bother.
If it was in a position that was comfortable, it fouled the handbrake and if it was in a position that was high enough not to foul the handbrake, then it was too high for comfort....
If it was in a position that was comfortable, it fouled the handbrake and if it was in a position that was high enough not to foul the handbrake, then it was too high for comfort....
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I wouldn't stick a non-genuine armrest in my car, and especially not if it was a spanking 59 plate. Pay the extra and get the real deal mate.
I'm the opposite to the last poster - I would highly recommend fitting an armrest.
He's is right on something though, if it's in a comfortable position it does get in the way of the handbrake a bit, but you can still apply the handbrake without re-adjusting.
In terms of driving comfort, I don't know how I managed without an armrest.
In fact I do know... I used to keep a bottle of Evian in the centre cup holder and rest my arm on it! Not ideal.
I'm the opposite to the last poster - I would highly recommend fitting an armrest.
He's is right on something though, if it's in a comfortable position it does get in the way of the handbrake a bit, but you can still apply the handbrake without re-adjusting.
In terms of driving comfort, I don't know how I managed without an armrest.
In fact I do know... I used to keep a bottle of Evian in the centre cup holder and rest my arm on it! Not ideal.
I recently fitted an armrest to my 59 plate and I agree with aythreee i dont know how i managed without one (bottle of drink was the way forward before hand)
I haven't personally had any problems with the handbrake. The position i have it in is very comfortable and does not foul the handbrake. if you have it all the way down then it can!
Real deal for the win buddy! I paid £55 quid for a brand new Audi one. If you look you can find them!!
I haven't personally had any problems with the handbrake. The position i have it in is very comfortable and does not foul the handbrake. if you have it all the way down then it can!
Real deal for the win buddy! I paid £55 quid for a brand new Audi one. If you look you can find them!!
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Hey mate, was it you who managed to get hold of a fitting template and was going to post a link to a full size scan of it?? I forget now.
If so, did you end up doing it?
Thanks for the replies, it is a company car so didn't fancy shelling out £150. I know I can take it out and sell it when the car goes back in 3 years but just the thought of the outlay that puts me off - especially for an arm rest!! My last car was new shape civic and the arm rest was great I have to say. Overall the car is good, the 170 TDI engine is fantastic.My only complaint is the equipment you get, I mean not getting an outside temp guage is ridiculous. I have been shown a link that may help turn this piece of basic safety equipment on but just need to speak to local mechanic and see how easy it is to do it. I wish I had a cup holder in place of the pointless tray in the dash too, maybe this can be retro fitted? 3 years without these creature comforts may not be possible! ha
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You won't be able to take the armrest out when you give the car back in three years mate, unless of course you want to hand it over with a massive hole in the centre console. You have to cut through it to fit the armrest.
As for the price, you can find them a lot cheaper than £150. When searching ebay don't only search specifically for "a3 armrest". Search for something like "a3 breaking" and then email the sellers and ask if they have an armrest for sale. This is what I did and ended up paying £40 delivered for mine, when the ones listed as 'armrest' were going for over £100 at the same time.
I have also swapped the coin tray for an in dash cupholder. It's not a simple swap job though, as the front trim of the cupholder is slightly wider than the coin holder's so it doesn't fit straight into the hole in the dash.
There is a thread somewhere explaining how to do the fit, but basically you have to remove the trim from your coin holder, file down the edges of the cup holder (with its trim removed also), and then push it on.
You also need to file away part of the cupholder tray where it hits your dash when opened, otherwise it wont lock in the open position. You'll see what I mean if you ever come to fit it.
Worth doing though, much more useful than a coin holder.
A cheap mod too. Think I picked mine up off ebay for a fiver.
As for the price, you can find them a lot cheaper than £150. When searching ebay don't only search specifically for "a3 armrest". Search for something like "a3 breaking" and then email the sellers and ask if they have an armrest for sale. This is what I did and ended up paying £40 delivered for mine, when the ones listed as 'armrest' were going for over £100 at the same time.
I have also swapped the coin tray for an in dash cupholder. It's not a simple swap job though, as the front trim of the cupholder is slightly wider than the coin holder's so it doesn't fit straight into the hole in the dash.
There is a thread somewhere explaining how to do the fit, but basically you have to remove the trim from your coin holder, file down the edges of the cup holder (with its trim removed also), and then push it on.
You also need to file away part of the cupholder tray where it hits your dash when opened, otherwise it wont lock in the open position. You'll see what I mean if you ever come to fit it.
Worth doing though, much more useful than a coin holder.
A cheap mod too. Think I picked mine up off ebay for a fiver.
Thanks, will have a look on ebay for armrest and cup holder, if I can get armrest for resonable price I will just leave it on when car goes back. Need to get the temp guage sorted via Vagcom, currently i put my foot down and see how quickly the traction control kicks in and that tells me how icy it is. Not scientific but worked so far!
PH1L
Gievf Buckets
Ha...
Best armrest iv had experience with was when Audi gave me An 09 A4 avant whilst my car was on order...
didnt have to worry about the handbrake as it was an electrical one and was literally a little pull up tab that clicked on the breaks and automatically came off when you pulled away!! Ace
@Aythreee - Yeaa i do have it, didnt post it up. Literally had about 15/20 ppl join the forum with no posts all PM'ing me for the template. Knew that once they got their mits on it they would be off. Have passed it to quite a few genuine regular members tho!!
Best armrest iv had experience with was when Audi gave me An 09 A4 avant whilst my car was on order...
didnt have to worry about the handbrake as it was an electrical one and was literally a little pull up tab that clicked on the breaks and automatically came off when you pulled away!! Ace
@Aythreee - Yeaa i do have it, didnt post it up. Literally had about 15/20 ppl join the forum with no posts all PM'ing me for the template. Knew that once they got their mits on it they would be off. Have passed it to quite a few genuine regular members tho!!
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Got given the same car whilst mine was in for a repair. The handbrake button was very good and I enjoyed every press of it until............. I realised it had hill hold too, so didn't have to press anything. :icon_thumright:
@Aythreee - Yeaa i do have it, didnt post it up. Literally had about 15/20 ppl join the forum with no posts all PM'ing me for the template. Knew that once they got their mits on it they would be off. Have passed it to quite a few genuine regular members tho!!
You should've charged the zero post wasters for it!!
You reckon you could pass me a copy of it though please, just in case I need it in future??
