One thing I noticed when I test drove the R3 model was that the R3 had a nice padded leather center arm rest, while my 2009 sport model is hard rubber. I know there are lots of options for upgrading the center console, such as Zeta, recovering it yourself, etc.

What I was wondering is if the leather padded center armrest only comes standard on the R3 model? It seems odd that it's not listed as an added R3 feature on the spec sheet or brochure. I would love to hear from 2009+ Grand Touring owners to know if their center armrest is the hard rubber one or a padded leather version.

I am thinking of picking up the R3 console for my sport, but think the red stitching may look a bit out of place as I don't have red stitching anywhere else on my interior...

 

I think it may have come in shinkas? Or at least some shinkas?

May be wrong about that though.

 

If they are the same as older model years, it is possible to get a padded leather one without the red stitching because I have one. When I get home I'll see if I can find the link and see if it would fit on an 09. Think mine is JDM.......came from Japan.


EDIT:

Okay, so I found my old link..............back in the day(05/06), I didn't have all the valuable resources, links, and various info that I do now, but I wanted one. So I bought this one along with a bunch of other stuff at the same time. You won't be thrilled with the price, but here it is.

http://www.mazdaparts.com/ProductDet...000-1151625286

Again.....not sure it fits an 09, so you wouuld have to ask them(they are a little slow on responses), but...........I had no issues with them, just had to wait for the next container coming over and all my crap was put on it!

I'm sure someone will pipe up and have it cheaper, but it is an option for you.

Might wanna click on RX8 garage on the left when you are done looking at it but of course you only want to use this site when you can find it anywhere else!

 

Thanks, would love a link and to see a photo of it if you could. Does yours have stitching at all? I found this one, but it doesn't appear to have any stitching.

http://www.mazdaparts.com/ProductDet...000-1151625286

 

That's the same one as I have.............black........no stitching!
I edited my previous post and gave you that same link!

 

Here's the pics you requested.
Best I could do on short notice.

I did some with and without a flash so you could see in different lighting. The car was in the garage, but the garage door was open 3/4.

You'll have to click on them as I didn't take the time to insert them properly into the thread.

Oh...............and note the leather E-brake handle. I bought that at the same time.

 

only on the R3 i'm afraid.but i think this is what you are looking for.go to my albums and have a look at my 8 i haven't figured out how to attach the pics to the post yet so if some one knows please help thanks.

 

R3 and Shinkas - maybe also on the 2008 40th Anniversary edition?

 

Thanks to everyone for the replies (especially Mazurfer for the pictures). I am surprised that the padded arm rest is not on the GT model, sinnce the GT costs as much as a R3 - but what boggles my mind the most is that if the R3 is the only current production car with the padded armrest, why doesn't Mazda list that as an added R3 feature on the brochure?



Now I have to decide if I want the R3 version with red-stitching or the all black padded lid without any stitching (would prefer padded leather w/ black stitching to match the side armrests).

EDIT: scottish, yours looks really nice to. Is that a custom job?

 

no you can buy them from a company called top gaiters from the uk they also have an ebay store check them out you will be suprised at the price and the quality too.they also will do any colour of stitching and mixing up of the colours of the leather too.

http://stores.ebay.com/TOP-GAITERS-B..._nkw=mazda+rx8

fitting them was a pain and im sill working on the rear one but i think the turned out pretty good.

 

Thanks for the link. I had found them on my own actually, but will go OEM (either R3 or JDM import) as I know getting them to fit properly can be a pain in the ****, and I am lazy.

 

If you don't need actual leather, there's also item # 130353857484 on ebay...

 

Thanks, and I had read up on the Zeta armrest as well. I'm sure its comfortable, and most people seem to be happy with theirs, but to me it looks to "stuck on". Prefer the clean OEM look. But for only $30, it may be worth purchasing just to try it out before I spend $200 on OEM.

 

Strangely, the Zeta armrest looks better than the pictures on ebay would suggest. Something about the lighting in the pictures makes it look more add-on and more in contrast with the rest of the interior. It looks better than I expected.

 

Was in another thread this evening on another topic which pointed to a site and saw this option while I was there.

http://www.partsmazda.co.uk/product-...onsolefrtblack

In that other thread was also the statement "I actually was tipped off from a member that previously ordered from the same site and as an American he got it for even cheaper"

 

mazurfer- i like the leather brake you got. its a bit pricey though @ $152 on that site you gave. was it easy to put on? now you got me thinking of taking my armrest off and repadding & recovering it myself. would do the seats too but i have never really liked leather seats.

 

One has to remember that it wasn't just a simple pull on E-brake cover. It was the entire handle and mechanism. That's what I kinda liked about it. It was a pretty easy install, but it's sooooooo much easier if you take out the passenger seat(which is just a few bolts), and undoing the connectors. The entire E-brake is all one piece and all you really do is take off the brake cable line, unbolt the E-brake, slap the new one in, and re-attach the brake cable.
I sold my stock E-Brake assembly to a fellow member for $50.00, so that gets some of the cost back!
So.....it wasn't cheap but it was a good buy based on it wasn't some cheap wrap around leather, or plastic/vinyl arrangement. It's not going anywhere and is quite stout!

Here's a better picture of the brake itself.
Then I have an old pick of the entire stock assembly that you'd be replacing.......this is the pic I used to sell it.


And...............I just saw on that UK site that it may be about $135.00, but not sure what shipping would be? http://www.partsmazda.co.uk/product-...kingbrakeblack

 

thx for the info. was wondering if it was a slip on kind of thing. was out looking at my e-brake at lunch think how the f*** did you get that leather on there, couldnt find a way for it to slip on. it also explains why the price is as high as it is since its the whola assembly and not just a piece of leather. looks great

 

All I can tell you is that I was impressed when I got it, still am, and I know it's not for everyone.....or they don't care as much, but for me.......it makes a difference and still does. Having said that, there are other styles out there made by other people, but I just liked this one the best and the fit is spot on.

 

I have an '05 Shinka with a broken tab on the center console lid cover. Common problem.

If I buy a new black lid cover (much cheaper than Shinka lid cover, which is leather with "Black Cherry Mica" matching stitching), can I somehow remove the leather from my broken cover and put it on the new one? This eBay listing suggests it's possible:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAZDA-RX8-AR...#ht_805wt_1167

Can this really be done? Anyone know how??

Thanks!

 

You can remove just the top part of the cover, yes. That's how those leather covers are installed. You have to slide off the cover part from the plastic mechanism underneath, unscrew a few screws and take the top part off. You should be able to swap the Shinka cover onto the new one.

 

^ Wow. (Yeah, I know, it's a small thing… but it's made my weekend. How sad.)