CRITICAL:  Read these instructions completely before doing anything to your car. You may need the following tools: 7/16" combination wrench  3/16" Allen/hex wrench   TBD Torx wrench Philips head screwdriver

The LeatherZ armrest is built from the same Cupholder-Armrest that you have in your car.  This page explains how to remove your Cupholder-Armrest and then install the LeatherZ armrest in its place.  

BMW and/or your dealership used one of three methods to secure the Cupholder-Armrest to your center console.  Your car could be secured in any one of three ways.  These instructions will explain each of the possibilities.

Start by removing the rubber trim cap at the rear of your armrest:

Trim cap shown in place.  Pry out with a small flat head screw driver or an awl.

Under the trim cap, you will see one of three things:

If you see a Torx Screw, click here

If you see a Screw, click here

If you see a Hex Bolt, click here

Torx Screw

Insert a TBD Torx wrench into the Torx screw and remove it.  Now you can remove your Cupholder-Armrest.  Pull up on the rear of the unit first, and then pull backwards towards the rear of the car.  There are 2 tabs on the front of the armrest which mate to 2 slots in the center console.  Once the tabs are clear of the slots, the armrest can be easily removed.  You will see the rivet installed in your center console:

Now you are ready to begin to install the LeatherZ armrest.  The operation is the exact reverse of the removal of your Cupholder-Armrest.  Install the LeatherZ armrest.  Mate the forward tabs (step 1) and then push down (step 2):

A properly installed LeatherZ armrest will look like this:

It is critical that the armrest sits flush with the center console.  Re-install the Torx Screw.  You're done!

Screw

Use a Philips head screwdriver into remove the screw.  Now you can remove your Cupholder-Armrest.  Pull up on the rear of the unit first, and then pull backwards towards the rear of the car.  There are 2 tabs on the front of the armrest which mate to 2 slots in the center console.  Once the tabs are clear of the slots, the armrest can be easily removed.  

Now you are ready to begin to install the LeatherZ armrest.  The operation is the exact reverse of the removal of your Cupholder-Armrest.  Install the LeatherZ armrest.  Mate the forward tabs (step 1) and then push down (step 2):

A properly installed LeatherZ armrest will look like this:

It is critical that the armrest sits flush with the center console.  Re-install the Screw.  You're done!

Hex Bolt

Start by removing the parking brake boot:

There is a 7/16" nut underneath the armrest on the other side of the Hex Bolt.  You need to put your combination wrench onto that nut to stop it from turning while you turn the Hex Bolt.  The trick is, in the process you have to stop the nut from falling into your center console.  If you drop it, it will rattle around for the next 10 years every time you go around a corner.  In the event you do drop it, the best retrieval tool is a Sears magnetic telescoping pen.  They sell for about $5 and are worth every penny.  In order to keep the nut from falling, I put a piece of tap on one side of my combination wrench:

The nut is shown in the picture, but you get the idea.  Once your wrench is ready with tape, insert the combination wrench with the secured nut into the hole in the center console for the parking brake.

You will have to move the wrench around until you get it onto the nut.  It may help to feel with your fingers before trying to use the wrench, just so you get an idea of where the nut is exactly.  Once you have the wrench on the nut, insert your 3/16" Allen/hex wrench into the hex bolt.  Turn the bolt until the armrest is free to move. 

Carefully withdrawal the combination wrench.  Now you can remove your Cupholder-Armrest.  Pull up on the rear of the unit first, and then pull backwards towards the rear of the car.  There are 2 tabs on the front of the armrest which mate to 2 slots in the center console.  Once the tabs are clear of the slots, the armrest can be easily removed.

Now you are ready to begin to install the LeatherZ armrest.  The operation is the exact reverse of the removal of your Cupholder-Armrest.  Install the LeatherZ armrest.  Mate the forward tabs (step 1) and then push down (step 2):

A properly installed LeatherZ armrest will look like this:

It is critical that the armrest sits flush with the center console.  Place the new nut into the "taped" combination wrench, align the nut with the holes in the center console and the LeatherZ armrest, install the Hex bolt, and insert the new rubber trim cap.  Lastly, re-install the parking brake boot.  You're done!