Retro fitting an armrest

I have had a look around at some of the previous threads regarding retro fitting a genuine VW armrest to my 58 plate S model. I can't seem to find any where that sells these genuine parts. I have looked on ebay and on other VW forums. Someone was selling a whole centre console which I would have bought if I hadn't found the thread months after it had started, lol.

All of the armrests that I have found haven't been genuine.

If any one knows of a site/company other than VW as they are charging £500+, joke...

I had the same problem when i got mine and likewise couldn't find any. I rang around all the breakers i could find listed and the very last one i tried had three in stock ( black) ! Charged me eur 200 for the whole console. The armrest and cup holder with the sliding cover actually are seperate pieces so i just unbolted them and fitted them to the existing console .......little bit of fabric cleaner and it was as good as new .................:approve:

iirc 5th Gear or Top Gear priced up building a car from the parts dept, it came to around £100k for a family saloon, where they get their pricing from is beyond me, even the 200 Euro's Rich paid for one out of a scrapper is imo a rip off, over the counter I'd imagine if it was £80 there would be a good profit margin, but £500 for a lump of platic with a hinge is unbelievable.

Hi, I looked at this a few years ago, far too complex for me so bought an after-market one that does the job. I've attached a couple of pdf's that may help.

Gaz

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Originally Posted by gazza007

Hi, I looked at this a few years ago, far too complex for me so bought an after-market one that does the job. I've attached a couple of pdf's that may help.

Gaz

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Cheers matey. I found a thread on UK Passats with someone selling the centre console. I think basically if I want a genuine part just to get the whole centre console. I found these guys: Linky

Just waiting for a reply. Looks like I might just have to troll the scrapies.

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/7897/img04842.jpg

Its a handy enough job. 4 screws behind the blanking caps at the sides and two nuts at the rear that bolt it to the floor.Undo all the screws behind the aircon switches. Lift it up being careful of the ESP wires and undo the 4 torx screws for each module and swap them over. You dont need to take the console out fully..............sounds worse than it is, trust me. :approve:

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Originally Posted by richiemac

Its a handy enough job. 4 screws behind the blanking caps at the sides and two nuts at the rear that bolt it to the floor.Undo all the screws behind the aircon switches. Lift it up being careful of the ESP wires and undo the 4 torx screws for each module and swap them over. You dont need to take the console out fully..............sounds worse than it is, trust me. :approve:

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Cheers Richie, thought that it was probably straight forward enough. Any thoughts about getting that part. Where do you reckon is the best place to pick one up? The pdf's above are pretty good.

Just found one on Ebay.com: Linky

I have emailed the guy to see if he's shipping to the UK. Fingers crossed, it only has 4hrs left. :p

Just get the seller to remove the arm rest unit, back vent piece and cup holder unit.....save a bit on shipping ? You don't need the rest of it. They will fit straight on your existing base when you remove the others. Have you tried any local breakers yet ? ..........

Actually , just looking at the pictures and i see that the cup holder has not got the sliding cover. Wouldn't bother with that bit............
Let me know if you draw a blank as i could get it here, if they still have them, and send it to you. Carraige from IRL is 20 euro for up to 25kgs with a courier company i deal with..............

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Originally Posted by richiemac

Just get the seller to remove the arm rest unit, back vent piece and cup holder unit.....save a bit on shipping ? You don't need the rest of it. They will fit straight on your existing base when you remove the others. Have you tried any local breakers yet ? ..........

Actually , just looking at the pictures and i see that the cup holder has not got the sliding cover. Wouldn't bother with that bit............
Let me know if you draw a blank as i could get it here, if they still have them, and send it to you. Carraige from IRL is 20 euro for up to 25kgs with a courier company i deal with..............

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Cheers Richie,

That guy never got back to me. Listing has now finished. I have had a few replies from Parts Gateway with the best quote being £160 all in for the console as pictured above. Think it's going to have to be breakers.

So Richie you might have one then? I would really appreciate if you would have a look. I don't know anything about breakers, lol. So you think I just need the armrest part then? Basically I have the S model so I don't have the drawer either. I want it to look like the SE or SEL model with the rest and the wee drawer.

Cheers matey

I'll have a look for you. Like i say all you need is the three pieces and they'll fit onto your base.........i'll keep you posted ;)

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Originally Posted by richiemac

I'll have a look for you. Like i say all you need is the three pieces and they'll fit onto your base.........i'll keep you posted ;)

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Cheers Richie, you are a saint :D

Richie I have just had a phone call from my brother in law. He's found the exact part from someone he knows. Getting it for £50. Not bad. Cheers for looking any way. Much appreciated buddy

Nice one...........good price too :approve:

Well 4hrs later, plenty of cuts and a bunch of bad language, it's fitted. Looks great. Tried to re-route my ipod connection from the glove box to the armrest cubby but was not long enough. Had a few problems with the heater matrix controls as I didn't put the selector barrel in correctly and wasn't getting the proper selection ie, face, feet, demist etc.

Just need to find an ash try cover as the console doesn't have one fitted. Should be able to get that off ebay though. (just the flap under the 12v sock in the rear part, under the arm rest).

Also the 12v socket doesn't have the cabling neither does the aircon to the rear part of the armrest. Never mind, I never sit in the back :D.

If anyone is interested in how to do it I found this on the Passatworld forum:
linky

job done :)

Good man.........you could put the ipod connection in the pull down pocket under the headlight switch ?? I have mine there and the USB socket to the head unit. Just an idea. I think i have piece you need off the old console i cannibalised for mine. I'll look in the morning and let you know..can pop it in the post if so.....Richie.

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Originally Posted by billythetidd

Also the 12v socket doesn't have the cabling

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Just splice into the front 12v supply, and run it to the rear, I always use the rear 12v! :) Well my lil boy does :p

This is interesting I want an armrest too but I have like a cream interior:mad: (so no passengers at all wanna keep it clean)

Rich if you can find one near yous let me know not haveing a rest is a pain....and from what you are saying i could just take the back rather than entire thing????

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Originally Posted by richiemac

Good man.........you could put the ipod connection in the pull down pocket under the headlight switch ?? I have mine there and the USB socket to the head unit. Just an idea. I think i have piece you need off the old console i cannibalised for mine. I'll look in the morning and let you know..can pop it in the post if so.....Richie.

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Cheers Richie that would be much appreciated. :D