Author Topic: HOW TO: RETRO FITTING AN ARMREST TO A MK6 GOLF  (Read 22049 times)

Offline esoxhunter

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HOW TO: RETRO FITTING AN ARMREST TO A MK6 GOLF
« on: 31 July 2013, 12:36 »
If you have a mk 6 GOLF, then chance are you already have an armrest. Some models, like the 1.4 TSI S (122ps) , and others do not have them as standard.
My local VW dealer quoted £622 fitted........
I picked mine up on Ebay, for £70. It was missing the aux in and the media connects, but otherwise it was in perfect condition .
It might be helpful to describe the fitting process.
You will need a size 20 torx driver, and I used a flat bladed driver to 'open up' gently.
1).Firstly separate the inner cage of the rest from the body. The body is in two parts.(sides and back) .
2).Remove the existing piece of console to the REAR of the handbrake. (Nothing else needs removing).
There are 3 screws, one is obvious, the other two are hidden under the non-slip mat in the rear cup / bottle holder.
3).Offer up the armrest cage, ( pull handbrake lever up as high as possible), sliding the cage over the Brake lever,and you will find the cage sits perfectly in place.( I needed to remove the air venting from the cage supplying the rear vents in armrest, in order to facilitate this. Otherwise I think the lower front bit of console needs to come off as well).
4).There are five obvious screw mounts/holes, and these were sufficient to make armrest rock solid. I used the three from the removed piece of console plus two more torx screws.( this way still only one tool needed).
5). Once the cage is set firm you can slide the outer side casing over the cage. It has its own clips inbuilt. Surprisingly fitted perfectly and firmly.
6). I had slightly more trouble with the last piece of kit, the rear outer casing , housing the two cup holders,(ingenious) and rear air vents. I found it was easier by removing the cup holder block, offering up the remainder of the casing, which again has its own built in clips, and then replacing the cup holder block. It fitted again, perfectly. That was it. 40 mins tops.
NOTES.
I HAVE A PERFECTLY GOOD OEM ARM REST NOW, THAT LOOKS PLUSH, AND FUNCTIONS BEAUTIFULLY. IT LACKS THE AUX-in (Which I will replace shortly), and the air vents don't work, ( no air supply). It also has an inner compartment for a CD changer or multi media tray, which I may or may not utilise.
It transforms the S models interior, and all for £60 .
You could do it better than me, by utilising the removed air trunking, but it is a bigger job.
I want to replace the basic radio now with a double din model, but that's for another day.
 
« Last Edit: 01 August 2013, 13:16 by Agreeable Slick »

Offline andyr

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Re: RETRO FITTING AN ARMREST TO A MK6 GOLF
« Reply #1 on: 31 July 2013, 17:41 »
Well done and thanks for the 'How To'. My son has been looking into a retrofit armrest in his mk V GT 140 and I would imagine it's pretty much the same?

Perhaps this should be moved to the 'Maintenance and How To' section?
Mk VI Black Pearl GTD.... No Frills, replaced a Black Pearl PD150 Bora, which in turn replaced a Dragon Green VR6 which followed a Dusty Mauve MK III 8v Gti.

Offline SRGTD

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Re: RETRO FITTING AN ARMREST TO A MK6 GOLF
« Reply #2 on: 31 July 2013, 20:40 »

Well done, and much more satisfying to fit this yourself, rather than hand over £622 to the dealer.

I'm intrigued though by what you were quoted by your local VW dealer to supply and fit; the VW website quotes £247 fully fitted (see link below), so it would be interesting to hear how they justify charging an extra £375 over the VW RRP, unless there's significant time / labour charges associated with making the rear air vents functional, which might not be included in the 'fully fitted' £247 RRP.

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/accessories/convenience-and-protection/5K006112382V/centre-armrest/golf-2009/convenience-and-protection
2020 Polo GTI Plus; Pure White, DSG (because they all are)
Gone but not forgotten;
2016 Polo GTI; Blue Silk
2011 mk6 Golf GTD; Carbon Grey
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Offline esoxhunter

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Re: RETRO FITTING AN ARMREST TO A MK6 GOLF
« Reply #3 on: 31 July 2013, 22:15 »
The quote included working air vents, aux-in jack socket, and working multi media connects/ cables. All VW OEM. The S model, like mine , does not have the wiring in situ ,and this cost would have to be factored in too.
I think the working air vents did entail removing more of the console, but an experienced fitter, with the right tools to hand, would make fairly short work of this.
I have just purchased a s/h aux-in , with wiring, so I am going to attempt to install myself. Huets, car audio specialists, have quoted £57 to do the job, which seems very reasonable , something to fall back on if I mess up.

Offline Raffe

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Re: RETRO FITTING AN ARMREST TO A MK6 GOLF
« Reply #4 on: 01 August 2013, 07:11 »
I want to replace the basic radio now with a double din model, but that's for another day.

I have a RCD310 you can have for £50 + P&P which came out of my GTi.
2016 Golf R | 3dr | DSG | Reflex Silver | 19" Pretoria Alloys | 90% Tints | Nav | Winter Pack | App Connect