Feeler for potential arm rest

[Ingen]

OK guys, I know there's been some debate on the forums here regarding the arm rest dilemma. I think I've come up with some sort of solution, but to be honest I haven't even started to build one yet. This thread is as a feeler to see how valuable full functionality of the arm rest is to the community.

Features I'm shooting for:

1) Tight fit to OEM center console pocket edge eliminates need for drilling. (Might also add neodymium magnets to enhance the locking feature, installed underneath the OEM parts to avoid any drilling or modification)

2) Arm rest would cover entire OEM pocket, with a bit of height stood off to accommodate the cup holder insert.

3) Pad would slide backwards on teflon / steel runners to reveal entire pocket, accessible.

4) Pad upholstered in leatherette with doubled red stitching a la the others on the market, to match seat of course.

Now the downsides. The runners are expensive. The fiberglass or CF are very expensive. Magnets are expensive. Whatever I would need to cover the fiberglass to make it look OEM is probably also expensive. I'm thinking vinyl wrap, but unsure of surface finish. Either that or just wrap it with the same leatherette as the pad.

How much would you be willing to pay for the no-compromise armrest option? Please vote the MAX amount you'd pay, since the budget is getting pretty high.

Note: I'm doing the design in solidworks. Here's my rough-in of the center console itself at this point (2 hours, a beer and a yard stick to measure with lol)

[Grimlock]

I don't think I'd be willing to spend more than $300 on one.

[Jayde]

Originally Posted by Grimlock

I don't think I'd be willing to spend more than $300 on one.

Yeah, about $300 or so. Maybe a little more like $350 if it was really nice! I would prefer an armrest that doesn't require modification to the interior but still have features that the OP stated.

[Tanuki]

I chose the sub $300 range. I don't know that I would even really use the arm rest, but it does clean the interior up a little bit.

[whaap]

I clicked under $150.00.

If you're starting from scratch I would appreciate your considering this. Forget about sliding, hinging, etc. Build an arm rest/cover that would fit inside the large cavity opening sort of like the lid on a apothecary jar. When it's in place it covers/conceals anything inside the cavity. If I want into that compartment or if I want to use a cup holder, all I have to do is pick it up and set it on the rear seat/floor. Since I don't use the cup holders I would like it to fit the cavity without them being there.

[wbradley]

Originally Posted by whaap

I clicked under $150.00.

If you're starting from scratch I would appreciate your considering this. Forget about sliding, hinging, etc. Build an arm rest/cover that would fit inside the large cavity opening sort of like the lid on a apothecary jar. When it's in place it covers/conceals anything inside the cavity. If I want into that compartment or if I want to use a cup holder, all I have to do is pick it up and set it on the rear seat/floor. Since I don't use the cup holders I would like it to fit the cavity without them being there.

+1

If you build it they will come. The lower the BOM, the lower the cost to us with you still making your margin. Please dont do like the eBay stuff that's like double what most people expect to pay because its from Japan. Maybe do a special one for $500 if somebody wants it.

[that_one_guy]

I put 150-300, but in all honesty, I don't think what you are listing is possible especially at the price everyone wants to pay. If you have sliding rails that sit on top of the center console, they won't look oem because both the moveable rail and stationary rail will be visible on the sides, not to mention the gap of air in the front and back. Next you'll need some type of locking system so the arm rest doesn't just slide open every time you accelerate/brake hard or move your arm. That locking system will need to be just strong enough to hold the sliders in place when you put your weight on it, but not too strong or else when you slide the rest back, the rails and everything will just be pushed off the console. Because the rails aren't fixed, they are going to move, if only slightly, every time you use the arm rest. Over time this will ware the thin plastic on the console so when you take it off, it will look horrible and even chipped, then you are stuck with that and can't even drill a fixed rest in because the plastic is too weak. Also, I really don't think the sides of the console are wide enough to support substantial enough rails that don't screw in.

Finally, if you made just an insert, it will look ok at a distance, but once you use it, it's going to move and wiggle under your arm's weight. Then let's say you have a crash, that thing is going to fly out and hit somebody, if you sell these then you the manufacturer are responsible for injuries caused by poor design. You may think friends on the forum are all cool and won't go after you, but I assure you there are ambulance chasers all around.

[CaptainSlow]

Completely depends on the finished look. I mean, if it looks like a home-made pillow glued to a cupboard door, then no. If it looks like it came factory, I'd say in the $200-$300 range.

[Tigranakert]

Never though the price of an arm rest could get to be so high haha.

[2point0]

I would love an armrest, but I really need at least one cupholder.

[Ingen]

Originally Posted by 2point0

I would love an armrest, but I really need at least one cupholder.

Exactly - I'm saying that if you slid this one back, the cupholder insert would still be inside the pocket.

Originally Posted by CaptainSlow

Completely depends on the finished look. I mean, if it looks like a home-made pillow glued to a cupboard door, then no. If it looks like it came factory, I'd say in the $200-$300 range.

Well if it looked that crap I wouldn't even do it :P The reason for the high price options is that it's hard to get OEM look and functionality without modifying anything.

[2point0]

Originally Posted by Ingen

Exactly - I'm saying that if you slid this one back, the cupholder insert would still be inside the pocket.

Gotcha. Just to be clear, would it be fixed to the slides? Meaning, if you slide it back a bit to get a cup in, it's not going to topple over into the rear footwell, right?

I'd love to see something like the extended armrest for GD Subies. It replaced the compartment lid with a full extra compartment, so now you have 2 cubbies for storing crap.

I know this car is meant to be "minimalist" but damnit there's nowhere to put anything. The door pocket is useless for anything by my sunglasses and paper trash.

[Ingen]

Originally Posted by 2point0

Gotcha. Just to be clear, would it be fixed to the slides? Meaning, if you slide it back a bit to get a cup in, it's not going to topple over into the rear footwell, right?

I'd love to see something like the extended armrest for GD Subies. It replaced the compartment lid with a full extra compartment, so now you have 2 cubbies for storing crap.

I know this car is meant to be "minimalist" but damnit there's nowhere to put anything. The door pocket is useless for anything by my sunglasses and paper trash.

Yep, it'd be fixed - maybe a double sided tape or something, just enough to keep a tight fit. I REALLY don't wanna drill anything, so that the lease crowd can get in on it And for those that wanted it fully removable... if I went that way I'd probably go with an extremely strong magnet (like, 1"x1" cylinder neodymium magnet) to keep it in place.

And to be fair it totally won't fall into the rear footwell regardless - the seats are so far back that there's no room and it'll just fall in the back seat

[Norkoastal]

Why not discount the unit a bit so the buyer can buy magnets themselves? Unit A would work, but with customer supplied magnets, holds 3x stronger..