OEM centre console upgrade

PM incoming Duncan,

I’ve looked through the link to the A2 forum in Germany, that along with what you show should get this fitted into my A2 fairly quickly.

It’s a shame that the Soul Volico paint isn’t a great match. I’ve had terrific results with their Twist paint as has another member with Platinum paint recently.

My email address will be with you very shortly sir.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I’m can see it’s been an ongoing thread since 2017 but not come across it before.

Thank you so much.

Kind regards,

Tom
Tom
do you think this could be another group purchase? I for one would be interested in a fabricated bracket that would take a standard VAG armrest.

Geoff
 
You read my mind Geoff,

Looks like the footrest group order is pretty much wrapped up now so thought this an amazing idea to pursue.

I honestly don’t know why I do it, I really do not have the time to do these things but I do like a challenge.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Evening all,

I now have all the files for to make the bracket parts and trim parts, thank you Duncan @DuncanA2

As I’m already in touch with Cutting Technologies to produce the Bespoke A2 Footrest, I will see what they can do for me as they are able to print and cut all types of materials.

I think I would need someone to weld the bracket parts together though. I can weld but I’m much better at grinding back the mess I make whilst welding.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
For all of you who wish to pursue this modification, I feel that I have to mention that the bracket is solely made for conjunction with the armrest of an Audi A1. The shape at the top of the bracket fits exactly the shape of the base of the armrest. In such a way that there is no movement possible front to back nor side to side. I’m not aware of another armrest base with the same pick up or one has to adapt the top of the bracket. The part number of the armrest is 8X0 864 207.

@2work, Tom if you can manage a groupbuy, I’ll be happy to place an order for one bracket ( for my other A2) with you.

kind regards
Duncan
 
This may take some time to locate an A1 Armrest not in treble figures.

Hopefully I can find Mk1 A1 in a breakers yard, until then I will not consider a group order on this as it is quite an expensive upgrade.

It’s something I wanted to do in my last A2 for comfort as I did spend a lot of time in there. I do like the aftermarket approach @Jellybean has completed but after seeing what Duncan has shown, has proved to me it’s got to come from an A1.

I will still get the files to Cutting Technologies though to see what the price would be to make the required parts.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Well I don’t know what the current prices are in the UK, but I can look out for some here in Holland. I bought mine for 65€, the equivalent of 60£. But that was cheap I know. Current prices her in the Netherlands are between 100 and 150€ asking price. 90 - 140£.

let me know if that could be interesting

kind regards
Duncan
 
Well I don’t know what the current prices are in the UK, but I can look out for some here in Holland. I bought mine for 65€, the equivalent of 60£. But that was cheap I know. Current prices her in the Netherlands are between 100 and 150€ asking price. 90 - 140£.

let me know if that could be interesting

kind regards
Duncan
I’ll broaden my search and see what I can find.

Thanks for the offer Duncan. I’m sure someone will take you up on it. Please do feel free to add the odd link to armrests you do happen to come across.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
The only issue I have with any central armrest is that it gets in the way of the handbrake.
you either have to lift up the unit (if it is one that can lift up to get it out of the way), or try to somehow get your left hand sideways in underneath and that can limit the force you can exert on the handbrake. A2 handbrakes need a fair amount of force to ensure that they are fully on.

I love the practicality of the extra storage and some (like the one above) really do look good.
But the interference with the handbrake unfortunately does it for me.
Steve B
 
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Hello SteveB,
You are absolutely right on this. Fortunately the armrest of the A1 does flip up without any issue. No need to press a button or anything. It can seemingly be adjusted in every angle of preference on the way down. Whereas the first angle of 80 degrees or so does nothing. After this point it can be adjusted. For me this works ok, a little force with the elbow and the armrest goes up in order to apply the handbrake as we used to.

I’m not preaching it is the ultimate in armrest solution, but it is exactly what I wanted. It looks OEM, it feels OEM, it is robust enough to lean on to and packs a lot of loose items and it is comfy during the ride.
I am aware of, for instance, the sydmeko solution. But that has a smaller volume and I didn’t wanted to cut my leather sportseat. This solution is easely to bring back to stock without any trace and be taken to another A2. For MOT the only drawback is that the 3D trim has to be removed to see the VIN number.

kind regards
duncan
 
Hi Duncan

I hope that you realise that I was not meaning to be negative.

Can I put it this way?
If I was to buy a centre armrest it would only be one as good as the one that you have sourced. There is no ideal solution to the handbrake issue so that leaves (in my view), your excellent option or none at all.

I also know from personal experience just how much effort it takes to put a potential group buy together. So maximum respect for that.

All I can say is, if anyone is looking for a proper central armrest then this is it!!!

Lots of centre armrests are available online and they are mega cheap but for a reason. They are not of the same strength and finish as the one that you have sourced. You really do get what you pay for.

Best wishes

Steve B
 
I do hope this initiative can move forward. Is it worth considering whether there is a more widely available VAG armrest such as those from an A3 or A4 which with modification to the bracket might produce a lower cost option?
Geoff
 
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Could be interesting if a custom bracket would replace the bolt on bracket on these generic type armrests? Readily available, black and grey options, taller stem and not as deep as the A1 option so better handbrake clearance?
generic armrest2.jpg

Would still need a shroud for the shaft but could open up the options. Tempted to get one just to check measurements.
 
Temptation won - £23 delivered from Poland on fleabay (around £36 from UK sellers). Will post stem base measurements when it arrives. So I'm probably interested in some form of custom bracket too.

This particular model is listed as for an A6 (grey ones are listed as for A4) - they're are also available on Alibaba at $10 for fabric cover or $15 for leather - but 100 minimum order. Now that sounds like a group buy headache...
 
Temptation won - £23 delivered from Poland on fleabay (around £36 from UK sellers). Will post stem base measurements when it arrives. So I'm probably interested in some form of custom bracket too.

This particular model is listed as for an A6 (grey ones are listed as for A4) - they're are also available on Alibaba at $10 for fabric cover or $15 for leather - but 100 minimum order. Now that sounds like a group buy headache...
Well if a suitable mounting solution at the right height was to be found that didn’t impinge on handbrake operation - and that made the whole thing appear OEM+ - Then I would be in for sure.
 
The only issue I have with any central armrest is that it gets in the way of the handbrake.
you either have to lift up the unit (if it is one that can lift up to get it out of the way), or try to somehow get your left hand sideways in underneath and that can limit the force you can exert on the handbrake. A2 handbrakes need a fair amount of force to ensure that they are fully on.

I love the practicality of the extra storage and sone (like the one above) really do look good.
But the interference with the handbrake unfortunately does it for me.
Steve B

Interesting my mk4 arm rest was just like this and was always in the way of the hand break


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Just an update on my post about this last year. I tried arm rests for the A1, A3 and A4. They all had a similar problem, the central mount spigot was too close to the handbrake adjuster. The only arm rest I got hold of that had the mount spigot offset to the right, and therefor away from the adjuster is for an A6. The main issue is the rest being too far forward and covers the safe operation of the hand brake. This was confirmed by a MOT tester. Unfortunately I could not get a mount manufactured locally that moved the arm rest 3-4 inches rearwards so put the idea on ice. What I am currently running is an aftermarket cheap armrest that works very well and provides easy and safe access to the handbrake, provides access to the rear ash tray and does not obstruct the rear cup holders although it is fixed and does not lift, but the lid opens up for storage. I'll take a couple of pictures later and post them.
 
Got my repro A6 armrest a couple of weeks ago - not too bad quality for the money. Ideally for A2 fitment the armrest section would be about 2 inches shorter front to back and an inch shallower.

These are some measurements from the base of the stem where it joins the mounting bracket:
bracket.jpg

Any idea if that would marry up with the custom fitting bracket?
 
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