LeatherZ Armrests
LeatherZ has been around as long as coupes with their first product, the Mark1 armrest, being made available in October 1998. Since then their business and product portfolio has grown substantially supplying anyone looking to make their Z more unique or luxurious. Both Andy Maddux and his brother John own coupes, so it’s always nice to support fellow Coupe Cartel members.
Before
After
Mark2+ Armrest
I have long desired a LeatherZ Mark2+ armrest as much for its looks as for it’s functionality. In my eyes, it’s the only armrest available for the Z3 platform that looks not only factory, but actually better than any of the center console options originally offered by BMW. LeatherZ’s product has come a long way since the original Mark1 and slightly skinnier Mark2 versions, and I think it’s now reached it’s zenith. It’s a pretty simple flip-up piece that attaches to the factory single or double cupholder consoles. It is of high quality though using BMW factory leather, and man did the box smell good when I opened it :). Most of the common Z3 and Z3M interior colors are available.
You have three choices when ordering. If you already have either the factory 2-cupholder console or 1-cupholder/large storage base console, you can buy the armrest only and install yourself. If your coupe was configured cupholder-less, you can order it already attached to either of the bases. My coupe was originally configured with the plain center console, but I had recently picked up a 2-cupholder console to which to attach my new armrest. I actually like the clean look of the plain console, but it makes for a long 1200 mile drive to Dorkfest without a cupholder.
Before
After
Installation is very easy, and the instructions are clear and well written. If you have an existing console, simply remove the carpet/foam/felt piece in the back half of it, and you’ll be able to see the single Phillips screw holding it in. Remove the screw, lift up the back of the cupholder base far enough to clear the center console, then pull it towards the rear of the car to disengage the single plastic tab holding in the front. While the base it out, give your center console a good cleaning as well as the cupholder base itself. You are now ready to attach your armrest.
I do not have too much to add to LeatherZ’s instructions as far as attaching the armrest to the cupholder base as they pretty much cover everything. I would just encourage you to follow them to the letter. When initially lining up the base and armrest on my workbench, I was tempted to offset it just a little to the passenger side as it looked more straight to my eye. A test fitting in the car showed why I should have just follow the instructions as the armrest would have rubbed up against the passenger seat bolster. Mounting the hinge in the dead center of the base is the way to go. Also be sure to use the thin piece of cardboard or small stack of business cards to space out the rear of the armrest. This compensates for the small bumpers on the front of the armrest and will make sure it’s level once installed.
Reinstalling the cupholder base (now with armrest attached) is simply a matter of reversing the steps you took to remove it. Place the front in first with the plastic tab under the center console. Once the tab is engaged, lower the rear of the base the rest of the way then replace the single screw. Now step back and admire your work or better yet, lounge in the driver seat and let your right elbow enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Door Armrests
To be honest, door armrests were never really on my radar until last year. After driving ~2800 miles in the span of 4 days for Dorkfest last year, my left elbow was numb for almost 3 days afterward. Evidently, I rested my elbow on the hard plastic door panel a significant number of those miles. I swore then that if I was going to make the drive again, I was going to pad my elbow.
Driver Door
Passenger Doro
Forgoing the simplest solution of buying some stylish elbow pads (or borrowing my son’s), I decided to look into LeatherZ’s far more elegant solution. I’m always very hesitant to do anything irreversible to my coupe, but a couple of recent sales listings with photos of the door armrests as well as the memory of my elbow convinced me to give them a try.
My next decision was which color to order them in. The few photos I saw online matched their door armrests with their center armrest (and sometimes the shift and brake boots as well). I’m a little more conservative, and while I absolutely love the imola red interior in my coupe, I decided imola red door armrests may be taking it a step too far. I ended up going with black.
Installation is extremely simple requiring only that your clean the door panels very, very well with alcohol wipes (provided) to make sure the 3M adhesive sticks as well as possible. Next you line them up where you want them, remove the backing from the tape, and hold them down firmly for 30 seconds. Ta-da.
Seeing as this was a practical mod rather than an aesthetic one, I was expecting to compromise on looks in order to achieve the functionality. I have to say I’m very pleasantly surprised by the end result. I actually LOVE the look of the installed armrests. Very few people would even recognize they are not stock, and boy are they comfy. My two hour drive after the install confirms that my left elbow approves.
LeatherZ Armrests
Conclusion
I’ve seen LeatherZ center console armrests in many coupes over the years, and everyone has loved them. I’ll add my agreement to that as well. The door armrests, on the other hand, seem to be far more rare. With how satisfied I am with them, I’m surprised by how few photos I was able to find of coupes that have them installed. I had never even seen them in person before installing my own. If you haven’t either, check them out in my coupe at Dorkfest. I highly recommend the upgrade, and so do your elbows.
Buy a LeatherZ Mark2+ Armrest
Buy LeatherZ Door Armrests
Buy the LeatherZ Armrest Bundle