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Subject: Replaced armrest leather today. Author: az735i : member since January, 2006 : 361 posts Posted on: 2008-04-13 00:28:56

20 years of Arizona sun have pretty much destroyed the leather on both armrests. Today I replaced the leather with leather covers purchased on eBay for about $105. I took some pictures of the replacement.


Here is what the armrests looked like, the seats are in better condition.


The passenger side armrest


Picture of the rear seat, again in very good condition


Another of the rear seat


Picture of the front seat with the seat cover removed. The leather has some cracks in it, but no tears.


To remove the armrest, seat back cover needs to be removed first. The cover is held by two screws on the bottom.


Picture of the other screw, with the cover in place.


Remove the screws then lift up on the bottom edge to release the clips. Remove the cover.


The armrest is held to the seat frame by two 13 mm nuts. Remove the nuts, then maneuver the armrest out.


Armrest removed. Next the flange has to be removed. To remove the flange the pin needs to be knocked out.


Next removed the plastic surround around the release button, by using a small screwdriver.


Remove the plastic cover by using a screwdriver.


Cover removed.


Using a knife cut the old leather.


Picture of the armrest with leather removed.


New leather cover.


Turn new cover inside out and insert on armrest. It is a tight fit.


Cover installed.


Armrest installed on seat.

Overall quality of the leather seems good. Color matches pretty good. It took me a couple of hours to do both seats. This makes the interior of the car look so much better.

88 735i
Built 04/88
213k

• Replaced armrest leather today. (pic) - az735i 2008-04-13 00:28:56 (599 views)
  • Good work! Where did you find the new leather? (nt) - davidc 2008-04-13 01:35:29 (62 views)
    • look what I found (url) - shogun 2008-04-13 10:40:55 (96 views)
      • That's it. I thought that it was a pretty good deal. - az735i 2008-04-13 12:38:43 (31 views)
        • thanks for that hint, many need new leather f. armrest (nt) - shogun 2008-04-13 22:45:11 (34 views)
    • Re: Good work! Where did you find the new leather? - sunnysd33 2008-04-13 04:20:30 (48 views)
      • The headlights in my sig were angle eyes made by Depo, found on eBay. - az735i 2008-04-13 12:43:56 (47 views)
      • details on his headlights and foglights (url) - shogun 2008-04-13 05:09:53 (76 views)