Arm rest leather

[twalker31794]

Best way to fix arm rest ipolster. Any links for replacement or covers would be appreciated thanks in advance.

[Opie55]

That isn't leather. That's the standard vinyl armrest/center console/dash. That deterioration is very common on that material. I've seen pics of several that were recovered and they always look bad. If it were me and I had an M6 I'd just bite the bullet and buy a new one. You can plug in the last 7 places of your VIN on RealOEM.com and find the part number in the diagram and search that part number online for the best price. I'm not sure w/o looking how much you have to buy. RealOEM will show choices for the vinyl and the leather, so make sure you get the right one.

[Opie55]

I just looked, and it looks like it sells for just under $500 US. You have to buy both sides and the frame they are in.

[twalker31794]

Thank you

[Qsilver7]

Ditto what was already said above. But do be careful if you decide to shop for a replacement because your seats say that you have an M6...but the material on your center console is not Merino leather (which is what the M6 came with in the US).

So if you need to shop for a replacement (using the BMW 11 digit part nbr)...you need to shop for the an armrest that is not covered in the Merino or Nappa leather...if you do, the armrest won't match the rest of the console and dashboard.

BTW, you can save/keep any of your original locking mechanism pieces if they are in better condition (#2/#3) & especially#4 (the lock cylinder) and swap that over to a replacement arm rest so that your original key still locks/unlocks the armrest to keep your ability to valet the trunk as well as lock-up any items in the armrest.

You need to shop for #1 in the diagram...and you could shop for used or new. Based on the pic you posted..your armrest looks like a LHD (left hand drive) in Dakota/Schwarz (the armrest is artificial leather material) which would be:

• Armrest, front middle
• Part number: 51169197304

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...69#51169197304

[LA640WS]

These arm rests always come up on eBay, straight six and pacific motors for anywhere between 175-250 in pretty great condition.

[dream54ing]

slightly off topic, what type of leather/material is that in the photo? mine looks much smoother matching the swoop, dash and doors. the photo looks much texture/grainier.

[twalker31794]

It is granier bmw 2016 m6

[dream54ing]

Originally Posted by twalker31794

It is granier bmw 2016 m6

I was referring to the material on the armrest. is it a upgraded leather to the smoother one?

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by dream54ing

I was referring to the material on the armrest. is it a upgraded leather to the smoother one?

Yes. The standard center console and dash and door tops on all 6 series models was that pebble-grain vinyl. You could upgrade to a smooth "leather" dash and center console. BMW called it leather when they sold it to you, and it typically gets called nappa leather in used car ads, but it's not actually real leather. Despite calling it that, BMW's own technical docs call it "man made leather."

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by dream54ing

...what type of leather/material is that in the photo? mine looks much smoother matching the swoop, dash and doors. the photo looks much texture/grainier.

Originally Posted by dream54ing

...is it a upgraded leather to the smoother one?

No...the armrest material in the OP's initial post is not an upgraded leather. In fact, it is the lowest grade material used on the f06/f12/f13 . It is an artificial leather material (as Opie55 mentioned). The standard dash, upper door trim, and center console are faux (artificial) leather if you ordered the Dakota or Nappa leather interior.

If you upgraded to the leather dash option (4ND)…then the door tops/armrests, dash, and center console would be covered in Nappa leather.

If you ordered full Merino leather, then the lower dash, lower door trim, and center console is covered in Merino (as standard)....and the upper door panels and upper dash are covered in WalkNappa.

Here’s info from the ordering guide:

[Opie55]

Q, your info is missing. But now I'm confused. The info you posted before about what material are used appeared to show that even what you just called nappa as "manmade leather." That what I was referring to in my post. I have the leather dash upgrade, as more than half of 650s do, and there is no way that material is the same as my seats. It's slick and kinda hard compared to leather.

[Qsilver7]

Went back to see if I could find more info…is it advertising jargon…or is it real?

The 4ND option (stand alone or included in a package) only says “leather material” or “leather” when combined with Dakota or Nappa.

But if you have Merino…the ordering guide specifically says that WalkNappa is used on the dash & upper door trim etc (the locations that say “artificial leather” in the Dakota & Nappa charts).

One thing that does come to mind is…on other forums…I’ve seen owners post water damage from leaving the window open…or damage on the dash from windshield tint work that used excess water...and the damage appears to be like the damage that occurs from leather shoes getting wet and not dried properly.

[Opie55]

OK, so looking at the chart in your post again, it looks like maybe the reference to "artificial leather" is to the pebble-grain standard stuff, and that the cars with the optional upgrade (most 650s) is relegated to the little inset box that I had not noticed when you posted it previously. Whatever "leather finish" is, it's not like the seat material. In addition to being slick, it does not really absorb conditioners so I have taken to just putting a UV protectant on it. I have noticed that in cars with tint the spray stiff they use can cause wrinkles in the door tops. I'm betting that material is adhered to a cloth backing.

[dream54ing]

Thanks for the explanation,
I have the smoother "leather" material and never seen the grainer material before. Good to know i have the upgraded material, but the pebble gain vinyl looks better to me, at least in the photo, lol

Originally Posted by Opie55

Yes. The standard center console and dash and door tops on all 6 series models was that pebble-grain vinyl. You could upgrade to a smooth "leather" dash and center console. BMW called it leather when they sold it to you, and it typically gets called nappa leather in used car ads, but it's not actually real leather. Despite calling it that, BMW's own technical docs call it "man made leather."

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by dream54ing

Thanks for the explanation,
I have the smoother "leather" material and never seen the grainer material before. Good to know i have the upgraded material, but the pebble gain vinyl looks better to me, at least in the photo, lol

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…but for me…I prefer the leathers to match (Nappa w/4ND)...Merino automatically comes with the leather dash as well as the lower door pockets also covered in leather instead of the foam-backed grained material.

The 4ND (leather dash) option can also come with the contrast stitching.

1. Artificial leather dash w/outie air bag emblem
2. 4ND leather dash
3. WalkNappa leather dash (note the Merino leather lower door pocket instead of the foam-backed grain material)
4. Artificial leather center console
5. 4ND leather center console

[dream54ing]

agree, that was just based on the photos above. never seen it in person, so my impression might be different. not that it matter, lol but all great info. thanks!

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…but for me…I prefer the leathers to match (Nappa w/4ND)...Merino automatically comes with the leather dash as well as the lower door pockets also covered in leather instead of the foam-backed grained material.

The 4ND (leather dash) option can also come with the contrast stitching.

1. Artificial leather dash w/outie air bag emblem
2. 4ND leather dash
3. WalkNappa leather dash (note the Merino leather lower door pocket instead of the foam-backed grain material)
4. Artificial leather center console
5. 4ND leather center console

[Qsilver7]

[Ojal001]

What type of leather/material is that in the photo?

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Ojal001

What type of leather/material is that in the photo?

Which photo? The armrest in the original photo up top is vinyl. BMW's vinyl does not react well to human arm sweat.