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The Mark4 Armrest was completely designed
and developed by LeatherZ, specifically for the BMW E85/E86 Z4. It is
the culmination of armrest building experience since 1998 and it is our
most thoughtfully made product to date. We have put everything we learned
from the Mark1, Mark2, and Mark3 armrests into this model, as well as
everything we know about leather working. When purchasing your Mark4,
there are 2 options to note: First, you will be asked to select the Leather
Color (black, Beige or Dream Red). Second is to select the color of the
base. We offer the Mark4 with a Black
Base as well as a Dark
Silver Base (Since the Z4 interior has 2 different silver trims in
the car, it is hard to match. There are pictures of both bases in our
gallery below. We matched the silver on the interior door pulls).
Like its predecessors, the Mark4 armrest
is designed to bring both drivers' and passengers' elbows up to a height
exactly equal to that of the outboard door armrests in the Z4. Equal elbow
height has proven to reduce fatigue on long trips and improve posture.
At the same time, the Mark4 is not too high as to interfere with gear
shifting. We use the same padding in the Mark4 as we use in all of our
other padded products. It's not too hard and not too soft. It provides
a sporty feel and unbeatable resilience.
The Mark4 is designed to look like a factory
part. We matched and in some cases, extended the interior lines of the
Z4. Although it is difficult to see in 2 dimensional photos, we put a
subtle arch in the upper surface that matches the shape of the center
console. The compound curves of the Mark4 base and armrest lid are so
complex that we had to use advanced 3D CAD modeling software.
With 48.75 Cubic Inches of interior storage
space, the Mark4 has 3.5 times the interior storage space of the Mark2
armrest. In a way, the Mark4 is more of a stowbox than an armrest. We
wanted to offer owners as much enclosed storage space as possible, especially
since the Z4 has such a small glovebox and other interior stowage locations.
As with every LeatherZ product, we used
the finest quality materials we could find in the Mark4. We did not design
the Mark4 with a specific cost target. It is designed to be stronger and
more sturdy than the Z4 center console. We use either Original BMW or
our finest quality Spinneybeck leathers (see FAQ regarding color match).
We use the same grades of plastics, padding, and adhesives that we have
used for the last 6 years and have given us the reputation that we enjoy
today.
Every single Mark4 Armrest is made by Andy
Maddux, the owner of LeatherZ. Andy picks the leather, Andy assembles
each unit, Andy packs and ships each unit. By overseeing every aspect
of production, you can be guaranteed your Mark4 will be perfect. Every
handcrafted LeatherZ product comes with a lifetime warranty against defects
in materials and workmanship. LeatherZ products are not mass produced...
they are pieces of art that are not perfect until they are good enough
to be installed into our own personal cars.
The Mark4 is designed to be self-locating
by features in the interior of the Z4. No tools or special training is
necessary to install the Mark4, and it only takes a minute. Regardless,
each Mark4 comes with detailed installation instructions with pictures.
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