So I bought a mk4 golf armrest awhile back with the plan to mount it in the cup holder like people have done before. I mocked it up and it just didn't feel right to me, it was in the way of the hand brake far to much for my liking and when it was up it was in the way of my elbow. All in all it would annoy me so I thought hmm how would it fit in the ash tray section when removed. Turns out it is the same width and that far back would be ideal for me as it exposes the hand brake more and fully up my elbow had plenty of room. So now was to mount it, I used some cardboard to get a template for a bracket and made it from some 3mm plate.

Put it in place marked the holes up on the centre console side and drilled them out. Used some m5 allan bolts and nuts I had and fixed it in to the centre console. Also on the bracket I cut the centre out so I can still get to the handbrake adjuster. The armrest itself his fixed to the bracket using the existing bracket in the armrest that sits flush to the bottom allowing it to bolt through.

Need to either cut the ashtray to fill the hole or get some black plastic to mould the shape to finish it off neatly.

Final position and spot on for me.

Very happy with the end result, still can't put a huge amount of weight on it like when it's mounted in the cup holder but I can still put a drink in the cup holder and it won't irritate me on hill starts etc

Loving this, Joe.

 

I've not yet done the arm rest mod but intend too. This is the way i would go also. As you said the arm rest is to far forward for my liking also. Just something to cover that rear section to finish it off nicely.

good call .. iv been putting off mounting my armrest due to not wanting to loose the cupholder as its the only usable cup holder in the front of the car..

 

your handbrake does look pretty high though.. id be adjusting it so it doesnt go as high pal.. then you wouldnt have an issue with it fouling the armrest

That looks a pretty good way to do it as well! Ive got used to the handbrake now and it doesnt bother me!

Just noticed your handbrake is sky high, get that adjusted and it will help!

Great stuff, Joe

It's not that high really, must be the angle of the picture I guess. I could tweak it down abit but it's no issue for me how it is now it was just having to reach completely under the arm rest to grab it to pull it up was the issue for me.