MK5 Armrest retrofit

[oar911]

Hi all,

Just picked up a Golf GTI 55 plate with leathers. Really happy with the car but feel it could do with a centre armrest to complete the interior. Came across thisone me across this one on ebay and wondered if anyone had any experience of fitting it, pictures etc. Is the leather cover a good match to the interior?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-VW-Gol...item518d325...

The car has the front loading 6 disc stereo in case that is of relevance.

Many Thanks!

[s2driveruk]

hmm listing has been removed but doing the same on an audi a6 was a doddle...

[V]

Armrest retrofit can be done but its a pain in the arse, especially getting the rear air vents to work. Head over to uk-mkivs.net quite a few threads with detailed info about it.

[missing the VR6]

Friend of mine bought a MK5 recently and I work in for a dealer group with 4 VW franchises and even at trade the parts and fitting would come to roughly £1200 for a leather armrest as the whole centre console needs replacing.

[VAG1]

missing the VR6 said:

Friend of mine bought a MK5 recently and I work in for a dealer group with 4 VW franchises and even at trade the parts and fitting would come to roughly £1200 for a leather armrest as the whole centre console needs replacing.

Wrong, max it will cost is £300 tops. People have done just the armrest for £30 (breakers). The actual armrest is easy to put in, just a few screws out. The cupholder can be replaced if you want with the sliding one but the centre console has to come out. To get the air vents to work is not a lot more but it's a hassle and isn't that good anyway apparently. Minimal difference between the cloth and the leather.

[missing the VR6]

VAG1 said:

missing the VR6 said:

Friend of mine bought a MK5 recently and I work in for a dealer group with 4 VW franchises and even at trade the parts and fitting would come to roughly £1200 for a leather armrest as the whole centre console needs replacing.

Wrong, max it will cost is £300 tops. People have done just the armrest for £30 (breakers). The actual armrest is easy to put in, just a few screws out. The cupholder can be replaced if you want with the sliding one but the centre console has to come out. To get the air vents to work is not a lot more but it's a hassle and isn't that good anyway apparently. Minimal difference between the cloth and the leather.

Clearly it's not wrong, just the proper way to do it via a main deaaler, I'm sure bodge's are available but this as it clearly states in my post was the official way to do it. Don't get me wrong I bodged the armrest in my old A3 and it worked fine, what I'm talking about is the full proper installation of the armrest.

[V]

missing the VR6 is correct, its not an easy job and its expensive. Sure you can buy parts from breakers and attempt a DIY fit, but to go the proper route ordering parts via VW and having a main dealer fit will be over £1k.

[oar911]

Wow over 1K!!! That is ridiculous!

I can only assume that includes a complete new console as well as the armrest and associated working vents.

I've been on mk5gti forum and there do seem to be quite a few people who have done it considerably cheaper. I'm not bothered about cup holders or working vents so hopefully the ebay part will do the job (it is the original armrest part from VW). Apparently just requires under 10 screws to be changed and hey presto?!

[missing the VR6]

oar911 said:

Wow over 1K!!! That is ridiculous!

I can only assume that includes a complete new console as well as the armrest and associated working vents.

I've been on mk5gti forum and there do seem to be quite a few people who have done it considerably cheaper. I'm not bothered about cup holders or working vents so hopefully the ebay part will do the job (it is the original armrest part from VW). Apparently just requires under 10 screws to be changed and hey presto?!

My friend who wants one for her GTI gave me a part number, I checked it with the VW parts department and it's an armrest kit, although it's not specified as a GTi, the GTi has a different console and armrest the kit also wont allow the Ipod connection. The Armrest is also just a hollow one with no storage comparments as per the GTi one as it's designed to hold a 6disc changer.

Also if you have leather it appears to only be available with grey cloth which could look a bit naff.

Edited by missing the VR6 on Thursday 8th April 16:44

[VAG1]

missing the VR6 said:

oar911 said:

Wow over 1K!!! That is ridiculous!

I can only assume that includes a complete new console as well as the armrest and associated working vents.

I've been on mk5gti forum and there do seem to be quite a few people who have done it considerably cheaper. I'm not bothered about cup holders or working vents so hopefully the ebay part will do the job (it is the original armrest part from VW). Apparently just requires under 10 screws to be changed and hey presto?!

My friend who wants one for her GTI gave me a part number, I checked it with the VW parts department and it's an armrest kit, although it's not specified as a GTi, the GTi has a different console and armrest the kit also wont allow the Ipod connection. The Armrest is also just a hollow one with no storage comparments as per the GTi one as it's designed to hold a 6disc changer.

Also if you have leather it appears to only be available with grey cloth which could look a bit naff.

Edited by missing the VR6 on Thursday 8th April 16:44

I'm not sure what you mean, the GTI and a normal golf have the same centre console. The parts I'm talking about are the official parts and no bob job. The dealer does nothing different to what you and I could do, they just charge a hell of a lot for the privilege of having it done by 'qualified' technicians. I've read a fair bit on armrests for the Mk5 Golf so I know what I'm talking about. OP if you want a fitting guide just PM me.