Classic Mini Centre Consoles

This installation guide is a recommended guideline only and it is designed as a guide for fitting Optimise Automotive products.
 

Preparation

Your parcel should contain:
2 x side panels (carpeted 3mm hardboard)
1 x base panel (vinyl leatherette covered 6mm MDF)
1 x face panel (vinyl leatherette covered 18mm MDF)
1 x air board (3mm hardboard)
2 x modern air-vents - mondern air-vent consoles only

Tools needed (recommended):
Ph2 cross-head screwdriver (or Ph2 cross-head drill bit and drill)
 

Installation - Heater unit modifications

If you are installing a console in a Mini fitted with a plastic heater and you chose a console with air-vents on the face panel we recommend that you modify the face of your heater unit. This modification will allow the air to flow out of the front of your heater unit and out of the air-vents installed on the face of the console panel. This step is not required, but it will dramatically improve the flow of the air from your heater into the cabin of your Mini.

Cut out the section marked on the photo below. To do this simply make two cuts (using a hacksaw), one cut at the top and one cut at the bottom (marked in red on the photo below).
 

Installation - Fitting the console

1. Before you install the console uninstall the pipes that go from the heater unit to the windscreen - the pipes that you need to remove are the ridged plastic pipes that are near the front of the heater unit (one on either side). You only need to remove the heater unit end, simply leave it hanging out the way, to be reattached once the console is fitted.
    
2. Install the optional vinyl leatherette covered half dowel onto the base panel. Install it using the 3.0x12mm gold screws provided, it is recommended that you drill pilot holes in the MDF before screwing (using a 1.0 drill bit), this will prevent the MDF from splitting.
    
3. Install the vinyl leatherette covered base panel over the gear stick and swivel it around to position it under the heater unit.
    
4. Position the carpeted side panels against the base panel, ensuring that it fits along side the heater unit (in, around and/or under the pipes and/or outlets).
   
   Please Note The side panels sit in front of the cross member section (that runs side to side in the Mini) and the sides of the side panels with the strip of softwood attached face inwards (to the heater).
    
5. Line up the top of the base panel 15mm (1.5cm) below the edge of the side panel (on the front section of the side panel, where it is horizontal, before it slopes up and over the heater) and then drill a pilot hole (using a 1.0 drill bit) through the side panel and into the softwood strip on the base panel. Then install one of the 3.0x25mm gold screws provided (using a Ph2 cross-head screwdriver or Ph2 cross-head drill bit and drill). Now that you have the first screw in place simply repeat along the side with a further two screws (again making sure you drill a pilot hole first).
   
   When all three screws are installed simply repeat for the other side.
   
   Please Note You may have to push the base panel down if the carpet is raised over the transmission tunnel.
    
6. Insert the air board onto its runners (on top of the softwood pieces attached to the side panels) and push it as far back as possible.
    
7. Position the vinyl leatherette covered face panel in place, ensuring that it sits behind the heater control unit. Then, just as with the side panels, line up the face of the face panel 15mm (1.5cm) below the edge of the side panel and then drill a pilot hole (using a 1.0 drill bit) around 30mm (3cm) from the top of the side panel, through the side panel and into the middle of the 18mm thick face panel. Then install one of the 3.0x25mm gold screws provided (using a Ph2 cross-head screwdriver or Ph2 cross-head drill bit and drill). Now that you have the first screw in place simply repeat, with one more screw (again making sure you drill a pilot hole first), position this bottom screw as close to the bottom of the face panel as possible.
   
   When all two screws are installed simply repeat for the other side.
    

Installation - Fitting the footwell map shelf

1. Place the shelf into the installation location and make a mark through each of the three brackets, onto the centre console (on the right hand side) and onto the wheel arch (on the left hand side).
    
2. Move the shelf out the way and drill holes where you have just made marks.
   
   To drill the holes into the wheel arch (through the carpet and into metal) use a 4.5 HSS (metal) drill bit and to drill the hole into the centre console side use a 4.5 brad point (wood) drill bit.
    
3. Place the shelf back into the installation location and line up the holes on the brackets with the holes you have just drilled.
    
4. Finally, faster the shelf in place - install the self tapping screws provided (using a Ph2 cross-head screwdriver or Ph2 cross-head drill bit and drill) into the wheel arch and install the 3.0x25mm gold screw provided (using a Ph2 cross-head screwdriver or Ph2 cross-head drill bit and drill) into the centre console.
    

Final checks

Now that your items are fitted test to ensure that they are secure before you drive your vehicle.