Car wash messed up my armrest. How can I fix?

[Xx__xs]

My interior was flawless and after paying 130 to "detail" my car, I get it back like this! Car wash wont take responsibility they say it was already like that but I know it wasnt. Do I have to replace the whole armrest??

[Flying Ace]

I think you simply need to buy the top cover/door. Likely just that half.

Use RealOEM, find the part number for your car regarding leather type and color and Google the number and order from cheapest retailer

[Qsilver7]

Unfortunately...it looks like the center armrest is sold as a complete unit. So, to replace it you'll need to do 1 of 3 things:

1. Buy new
2. Buy used
3. Find an upholsterer and have it redone

And if you're going to do #1 or #2...you definitely need to use your VIN and interior option codes to find the correct 11 digit BMW part number because they (the center armrest) appears to have quite a range of different part nbrs that are specific to the 3 different models (f06/f12/f13)...along with different leathers (Dakota/Nappa/Merino) as well as different part nbrs for LHD & RHD (left hand & right hand drive). This was a total surprise to me...I assumed they were basically the same part across all 3 models but with different upholstery choices.

[thebmw]

Qsilver7, how do you know so much about parts and replacements? It's amazing!!

[Qsilver7]

I read the part database sites like it was the Bible....plus I've been used to using them for a long time.

In this case, I just checked the diagram to see if you could order either the left/right armrest cover...and it only came up as one piece. Then I thought I should check (to be sure) that all 3 models use the same part (by clicking on the part nbr). Doing that only showed the f06 using the part nbr I clicked on (I used my personal vehicle to pull up the diagram).

I then checked to see what the OP drives...and they only had M6 in their car info...which meant it could be an f06, f12, or f13 M6...but then I scrolled down and saw that the last pic they posted had the button to operate the convertible top. so I pulled up the f12 diagram and it only listed the f12. I thought sure that the 2 dr models would share the same part...but they didn't.

BTW, I use 3 different part database sites regularly...they all have something a little bit different...so sometimes you can find some neat information that could be missed/overlooked:

1. www.realoem.com
2. www.bmwfans.info
3. http://bimmercat.com

[KauvSTi]

I had a local upholstery shop do mine.

https://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1534891