The front centre armrest in my SE L has got to go as I'm fed up of it being in the way.

What does the S and SE have in its place? Nothing or some sort of storage area?

Edited 29 April, 201511 yr by Prog

Nothing on my SE estate.

 

And I'm glad it doesn't, like you they are a pita always in the way  

Thanks. Is there a cover plate or anything?

I haven't worked out how to remove the armrest yet but I'm assuming it'll leave some holes.

Do you have a picture of the armrest? Be curious to see how it fits in as I've an SE and just got a storage tray behind the handbrake. So not sure how one would attach.

How is it getting in the way? Just when changing gear?

I'd like one got one in my Passat and find it nice.

Prog, I agree with what you say about it getting in the way. The solution I have found although not entirely satisfactory is to lower it to its bottom position, so that it lies at a downward angle. Not perfect admittedly, however I can live with it.

Attached are some pics of the armrest.

 

The third one shows why it's in the way, even in the upright position. I'm all legs so have the seat right back. In this position, the armrest is actually forward of the seat and somewhat annoying.

Prog, I agree with what you say about it getting in the way. The solution I have found although not entirely satisfactory is to lower it to its bottom position, so that it lies at a downward angle. Not perfect admittedly, however I can live with it.

I tried that for a few days but found gear changes a bit uncomfortable and the handbrake almost inaccessible.

I completely agree with you Prog, i'm 6'4 and it really does get in your way and keep banging my elbow,  my partner 5'6 has no problems. It is sat way to far forward and just doesn't work with the car. From the looks its not moulded in so you don't need a whole new center trim, like you say its what's underneath. If someone could post a picture of the SE it would be much appreciated. 

Yes, if it was mounted further back it'd be fine.

My fiancée's Alfa has the armrest attached to the side of the driver's seat so it moves with it and has never been in the way for either of us.

This is mine from the front, sorry its not a good pic taken with my Iphone

Have the SEL have parked the armrest in the upright position I think I will use it on longer runs bit of a nuisance around town. This rather defeats using it for storage. Joe

This is mine from the front, sorry its not a good pic taken with my Iphone

That's great. It looks like the storage tray is a separate part that clips in.

I am also tall and have the seat all the way back, I find the armrest comfy. I have a manual and use the handbreak only occasionally for parking, so it does not bother me.

Looks very similar to the mk2 Fabia.  To remove the armrest, pull the side fittings off it (they clip on so be careful).  You'll then see 4 bolts which hold the metal frame to the car body.  Remove these and the armrest will come out.  You'll need the cover plate from the SE model to cover the hole.  Can't imagine these will be expensive though.

Thanks. I intend to attack it this weekend so will start with the side panels.

I have proper trim removal tools so hopefully won't damage anything.

Edited 30 April, 201511 yr by Prog

Oh bother! Wife would never let me buy an armrest for her 9N Polo, but her 6C Polo SEL will come with one, she probably has not noticed that, just one other thing to annoy her (along with the parking sensors which thinks she will hate as a friend with a Cayenne has them and hates them). Trouble is she knows how to park correctly and always has!

I never used the armrest on my Fabia 2 Elegance it got in the way

My Fabia 3 SE doesn't have one, yes!

The deed is done and my car is so much more comfortable to drive.

 

It was a straightforward job in the end. The two sides of the armrest base unclip from each other and pull apart pretty easily with a trim removal tool (thanks nbramwel) and then unclip from the base itself. There's then a single bolt through the centre of the base which needs to be removed to leave just a short section that's fixed to the car with four bolts. There's a single screw under the storage tray behind the armrest holding the centre trim in place. Removing this gives just enough wiggle room to undo the four bolts and jiggle the bottom section of the armrest out underneath.

 

I intended to take photos but got a bit involved in the task at hand. If anyone's interested I can take some of the armrest and its various parts now it's out of the car.

 

All I need now is the larger storage tray from the S and SE to cover the gap in the centre trim. I'm assuming this will mean a trip to my local dealer.