[SteveF1]

I have noticed that there is a major rattle coming from the centre armrest lid of late and under my experience of the AUC the dealer won't touch the car for this reason alone. However I have noticed that the actual hinge to the single piece armrest lid does not lift the lid when released, a feature I know more current courtesy cars (3ers) BMW have loaned me did do.

I was wondering if those of you with older 3 series (around 06 plates) could check to see if your armrest lid has a spring to it and lifts the lid without human intervention because mine has nothing there at all, it needs full movement by hand.

The last thing is would the AUC actually cover the replacement or repair of this if indeed mine was found to be broken? My dealer has told me trim isn't covered for replacement when I had a dashboard rattle previously but would this actually be classed as trim?

[woodhus]

No spring loading here, mine is a 56.

[SteveF1]

Damn, not what I wanted to hear.....

Thanks anyway.

[chris330D]

Mines an 08 and lifts by hand, sorry.

[SteveF1]

Would it make a difference whether it was a leather trimmed lid or not?

[chris330D]

Don't think so FWIW mine is leather and I am a comple d*ck!! Just checked mine and it is spring loaded. Had the car 2 years and not noticed!!

[Captain Chaos]

I've had 3 e9x models and driven maybe as many loaners in that time - every one of them had a spring loaded arm-rest lid.. Sounds like it's a good place to start looking!

[NotNormal]

my 56 plate 335d se coupe had a spring that popped up the arm rest, just got my 07 plate 335d m sport today, no spring loaded arm rest

[MERLIN335i]

03/08 Build 335i M-Sport -Full leather.

Mine is spring loaded, pops up about 2 inches (50mm for you youngsters), and no funny comments Will !

[SteveF1]

Thanks for the input guys.

So it appears then that most HAVE spring loaded armrest lids. What I need to know now is have all E90s been sent out of the factory with spring loaded lids or are there a few out there that haven't?

What I don't want to do is look a fool by taking the car in telling them thr spring has failed then them telling me it never had one. As long as I've had the car it never raised itself but want to know if thats due to failure or design.

Anyone that can confirm this would be a leg-end!

[Walesy]

I replaced my arm rest with a split one and both of them were not fitted with a spring. If you look at the DIY guide aswell for replacing the arm rest, i dont think that has a spring either.

[SteveF1]

Anneka has just confirmed that she doesn't believe that my armrest is springloaded either.

Just out of interest where did you find the DIY on armrest, might have a go myself.

[greatbm]

Originally Posted by Walesy

I replaced my arm rest with a split one and both of them were not fitted with a spring. If you look at the DIY guide aswell for replacing the arm rest, i dont think that has a spring either.

I replaced mine with split type, original no spring new split type came with spring.

[Walesy]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

Anneka has just confirmed that she doesn't believe that my armrest is springloaded either.

Just out of interest where did you find the DIY on armrest, might have a go myself.

Here you are buddy
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28555

[SteveF1]

On the rental 318 LCI car I am now driving the armrest is spring loaded and lifts itself. I have taken the rear panel off and on the image above the horizontal metal bars have a coiled spring attached to them.

Its seems a bit hit and miss as to which cars have it and don't.

[Walesy]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

On the rental 318 LCI car I am now driving the armrest is spring loaded and lifts itself. I have taken the rear panel off and on the image above the horizontal metal bars have a coiled spring attached to them.

Its seems a bit hit and miss as to which cars have it and don't.

Did you take them out for your car?

[SteveF1]

No as I doubt its just the spring, it looks a little different in other areas to be truthful. Not only that but its techincally called theft

[greatbm]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

No as I doubt its just the spring, it looks a little different in other areas to be truthful. Not only that but its techincally called theft

It is just the spring and its a bugger to fit but worth it in the end. One thing to note is when the sliding part is forward the cover will not fully open automatic raises a few inches and then requires a nudge, fully opens when slider retracted though.

[Hairyarse]

Dont get my car until Friday but previous E90 courtesy cars I had some years back, didn't the armrest used to lock in a semi-open position, so you could change the height of the armrest or am I thinking of my old passat??