I've had a search through the forum, but couldn't find any discussions on fitting arm rests - probably because most people have a post VRS model. My Ambient is begging for a front central arm rest. This weekend I changed my seats (due to a broken lumbar support) for a set of Mk4 Golf GTI seats I managed to pick up on ebay for £75. Next I would like a central arm rest. I have been told the golf mk4 arm rest will bolt in where the rear console ashtray is. Does anyone have experience with this? Will any other arm rests fit? Seat Leon? Audi A3? Any other VWs? Other Skoda models? Or do I just need to pester everyone on ebay breaking Mk1 Octavias' that are a higher spec than mine?

I think with my new seat, a central arm rest, then some privacy tint I will be really happy with my Octavia. I did have a 406 deisel estate before which although got to 175k miles, everything seems to be falling off and failig. When the engine finally failed and I was towed back by the RAC I asked the RAC guy what is the best car to buy. He said an Octavia straight away. He claimed that he oly sees at most 2 a year, and they are the most reliable car on the road. So I took his word for it. I have to say, athough my Ambient is a liitle basic, it is such a pleasure to drive, and so far I get the feeling it will be chewing the miles up for me for the next 15 years... Hence I wouldn't mind making it a little more comfortable.

The other mod I have been tempted with is cruise control. I have seen people offering to fit on ebay for £177 (ish). Has anyone ever had this fitted to a car that never had cruise control fitted in the factory?

this may be of interest http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/173056-centre-armrest-for-octy-vrs-mk1/page__p__2095942__fromsearch__1entry2095942

although its based on a vrs it will be the same armrest for your motor

the golf mk4 armrest fits but you need to butcher the alloy foot because it wont fit around the fag lighter. it took me a while to do mine and if i did it again i would locate an octavia specific mount. also the golf plastic end caps are different so you need to get octavia specific ones

HTH

Edited 11 October, 201015 yr by sivrs

dont forget the rear cupholder (or is ashtray???) behind the arm rest will need to be changed as well if genuine arm reast fitted as it will jam on the bottom bit of the upright of the armrest.

dont forget the rear cupholder (or is ashtray???) behind the arm rest will need to be changed as well if genuine arm reast fitted as it will jam on the bottom bit of the upright of the armrest.

never had any trouble with my ashtray to be honest

Edited 11 October, 201015 yr by sivrs

there are two types original one in mine wouldnt open then looked at the one in the box which the armrest came in and there was one in there which was slighlty different??????

this may be of interest http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/173056-centre-armrest-for-octy-vrs-mk1/page__p__2095942__fromsearch__1entry2095942

although its based on a vrs it will be the same armrest for your motor

the golf mk4 armrest fits but you need to butcher the alloy foot because it wont fit around the fag lighter. it took me a while to do mine and if i did it again i would locate an octavia specific mount. also the golf plastic end caps are different so you need to get octavia specific ones

HTH

Bu66er! posted that and missed the responses

Have since got an Octavia armrest off ebay and when it arrived it was gray. have managed to part dismantle and will spray with vinyl trim black paint. Get the impression the forty odd quid paid was a good deal?

BTW anyone know how to separate the top and bottom shells from the metal chassis.

Edited 11 October, 201015 yr by goonybird

I have a bora armrest in mine and I had no issues fitting it

Fitted armest to my Octy today.

There are three holes in the base bracket. Two align with fore and aft holes in brackets on "transmission tunnel", but no captive nuts? so had to slide a nut underneath each hole and bolt from the top,

Now what do I do with the third? this is aligned with the handbrake mounting bolt nearest passenger side? I just cant see a way of doing it?

What I have done is put a bolt though the Armrest bracket with a nut each side and tightened so the bolt is against the handbrake bolt.

Å tef

Edited 24 October, 201015 yr by goonybird

cant remember how i bolted mine its been that long if i get chance tomorrow i'll take a look and post some pics if thats any help?

Would be great to see pictures. I have noticed on eBay they are starting to sell exact copies of the factory fit Golf mk4 arm rests, but Chinese copies. Not sure how good they are. They do seem to be exact copies that bolt in the same way, not like after market generic arm rests that only bolt to the plastic trim. Has anyone bought one? They seem to go for around £35-£40 delivered. Very tempting, as the original golf ones seem to go for about £60 even when used and with broken lid clips!

Would be great to see pictures. I have noticed on eBay they are starting to sell exact copies of the factory fit Golf mk4 arm rests, but Chinese copies. Not sure how good they are. They do seem to be exact copies that bolt in the same way, not like after market generic arm rests that only bolt to the plastic trim. Has anyone bought one? They seem to go for around £35-£40 delivered. Very tempting, as the original golf ones seem to go for about £60 even when used and with broken lid clips!

They're rubbish. I bought one for a mkiv a few years ago. The bolt that connects the top to the mounting foot was the wrong size, & the hole through side of the plastic side cover was in the wrong place so you couldn't tighten the bloody bolt up even if it had been the right size! Then the cast mounting foot broke after a couple of weeks, & I had to buy a genuine mount from VW. Just buy a real one & replace the clips.

Would be great to see pictures. I have noticed on eBay they are starting to sell exact copies of the factory fit Golf mk4 arm rests, but Chinese copies. Not sure how good they are. They do seem to be exact copies that bolt in the same way, not like after market generic arm rests that only bolt to the plastic trim. Has anyone bought one? They seem to go for around £35-£40 delivered. Very tempting, as the original golf ones seem to go for about £60 even when used and with broken lid clips!

weather's been a bit pants so not been able to get pics. i would buy an original and buy a new clip.

just replaced my clip £6.50 from here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350400728446&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

the octavia plastic end cap numbers are

1UO86427947H £7.92 + vat

1UO86428047H £12.11 + vat

TOTAL £23.04

not sure on a price for the octavia alloy mount as i butchered the golf one to fit around the fag lighter as there different in the golf

few rests on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Golf-MK4-Centre-Armrest-VW-Bora-Centre-Arm-Rest-/270654850510?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f044945ce

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mk4-golf-armrest-black-cloth-fixing-bracket-mint-/220687458298?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3361ff5ffa

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOLF-BORA-CENTRE-ARM-REST-/330481268084?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4cf237f574

Edited 26 October, 201015 yr by sivrs

pictures as requested.

how much metal i removed from the mk4 golf mount to clear the fag lighter

how it bolts down

still catches the fag lighter slightly

all fitted

HTH

si

Edited 27 October, 201015 yr by sivrs

Thank for piccies. I take it that the mounting at the handbrake bolt is just bolted down after removal of handbrake nut, which could account for the side of the armrest rubbing on the drivers seat.

Looks nice. Unfotunately mine looks a bt crap as it it shiny black from reparaying Halfrauds vinyl black and the cover is a nightmare to re-cover. Have a lovely piece of Leather but it's pig of a job.

Štef

Looked at armrest mount today.

pictures differ from those above.

There is no way the bracket will fit under the handbrake bolt.

So what gives? NB this is deffo an octavia mount so why doesn't it fit?

Looked at armrest mount today.

pictures differ from those above.

There is no way the bracket will fit under the handbrake bolt.

So what gives? NB this is deffo an octavia mount so why doesn't it fit?

Not sure if you've sorted this yet, but you're missing a piece

The armrest shoud have an extended nut with a thread on the top. You remove the nut from the handbrakre and bolt this "special" piece on - the armrest bracket then sits on top and you use the nut you took off the handbrake to bolt it down.

Does that make sense? if not i'll try to draw a diagram

Not sure if you've sorted this yet, but you're missing a piece

The armrest shoud have an extended nut with a thread on the top. You remove the nut from the handbrakre and bolt this "special" piece on - the armrest bracket then sits on top and you use the nut you took off the handbrake to bolt it down.

Does that make sense? if not i'll try to draw a diagram

Thanks

I'll get one from skoda that explains everything. Since bought a new Golf IV Genuine part Leather Lid off ebay for £45 which looks loads better than my attempt at recovering!

I have bought an old Bora arm rest, but have the problem that the bolt position on the passenger side of the bracket is too high. Does anyone know if you can get the correct parts from Skoda? And how much they might be? Or is the Bora mounting plate no good on an Octy?