. Nice write-up.
DIY Converting to center cup console
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: pa
clk 350 w209, shelby gt 500,bmw 330xi
DIY Converting to center cup console
This modification is for you guys who have the center compartment without the sliding tray and cup holders. If you can get a good used cup console it is better than buying the parts directly from the stealership.
1st: Disconnect positive battery terminal (We didn’t and it works fine)
2nd: Remove pad from bottom of console to expose 2 (10mm) bolts. (Just pulls out no clips)
3rd: Open front ashtray door. Then pop shifter trim out, pulling up from the front of the piece. Leave shifter knob on. (We had to pull hard)
4th: Disconnect wires from bottom of shifter trim.
5th: Remove ashtray by pulling up a little and towards back of car.
6th: Remove 2 (10mm) bolts from bottom of the compartment; remove the other 2 (10mm) bolts that are beneath the shifter trim.
7th: Remove the 2 torx that are behind where the ashtray was. Loosen locking torx on drivers side (Maybe on both sides)
---At this point the console is now loose.
1st: Open console lid and remove torx to gain access to wires. (Remove wires from lid)
2nd: Pop air conditioning trim off back. (Pull hard straight up to get top over lip) Bottom half pops straight back.
3rd: Unclip trim from top of storage compartment.
4th: Console lid assembly will slide up and out
---At this point console lid is now removed.
1st: Disconnect positive battery terminal (We didn’t and it works fine)
2nd: Remove pad from bottom of console to expose 2 (10mm) bolts. (Just pulls out no clips)
3rd: Open front ashtray door. Then pop shifter trim out, pulling up from the front of the piece. Leave shifter knob on. (We had to pull hard)
4th: Disconnect wires from bottom of shifter trim.
5th: Remove ashtray by pulling up a little and towards back of car.
6th: Remove 2 (10mm) bolts from bottom of the compartment; remove the other 2 (10mm) bolts that are beneath the shifter trim.
7th: Remove the 2 torx that are behind where the ashtray was. Loosen locking torx on drivers side (Maybe on both sides)
---At this point the console is now loose.
1st: Open console lid and remove torx to gain access to wires. (Remove wires from lid)
2nd: Pop air conditioning trim off back. (Pull hard straight up to get top over lip) Bottom half pops straight back.
3rd: Unclip trim from top of storage compartment.
4th: Console lid assembly will slide up and out
---At this point console lid is now removed.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: pa
clk 350 w209, shelby gt 500,bmw 330xi
1st: Remove 6 torx from console panel (I think they are T10 Red circles)
2nd: Remove panel trim from console. (This piece you may need to cut if you don’t have a donor console)
3rd Remove secret compartment (50), then remove plastic piece (80) Blue arrow
---Prepping time.
1st: Cut console piece so new compartment can fit.
2nd: Insert new rounded cross member from donor cup console.
3rd: Cut console trim panel so lid can click into future compartment. ( Refer to the end of the post for dimensions)
4th: Put console trim panel back on and secure. (Put 6 torxs back in)
5th: Re-secure console to floor.
6th: Clip side clips onto trim (Came with donor cup console)
7th: Feed wires up back of compartment into a wire troth.
8th: Insert new compartment into console. (Make sure wires stay to the back and beneath compartment)
9Th: Screw new compartment to new cross member.
10th: Secure air conditioning piece back onto console
11th: Insert ashtray; attach wires to shifter trim then clip shifter trim onto console.
12th: Clip new lid cover onto console.
2nd: Remove panel trim from console. (This piece you may need to cut if you don’t have a donor console)
3rd Remove secret compartment (50), then remove plastic piece (80) Blue arrow
---Prepping time.
1st: Cut console piece so new compartment can fit.
2nd: Insert new rounded cross member from donor cup console.
3rd: Cut console trim panel so lid can click into future compartment. ( Refer to the end of the post for dimensions)
4th: Put console trim panel back on and secure. (Put 6 torxs back in)
5th: Re-secure console to floor.
6th: Clip side clips onto trim (Came with donor cup console)
7th: Feed wires up back of compartment into a wire troth.
8th: Insert new compartment into console. (Make sure wires stay to the back and beneath compartment)
9Th: Screw new compartment to new cross member.
10th: Secure air conditioning piece back onto console
11th: Insert ashtray; attach wires to shifter trim then clip shifter trim onto console.
12th: Clip new lid cover onto console.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: pa
clk 350 w209, shelby gt 500,bmw 330xi
Unique parts to new console.
1st: Side clips as stated in prepping time #6.
2nd: Cross member as stated in prepping time #2.
3rd: Sliding tray cup assembly.
4th: Cut existing trim if you don’t have donor cup console.
If donor cup console isn’t correct color you can recolor it from Leather Magic. Color was perfect.
PM me for inquiring about getting a template or help if you’re in the tristate area.
---Finished product---
1st: Side clips as stated in prepping time #6.
2nd: Cross member as stated in prepping time #2.
3rd: Sliding tray cup assembly.
4th: Cut existing trim if you don’t have donor cup console.
If donor cup console isn’t correct color you can recolor it from Leather Magic. Color was perfect.
PM me for inquiring about getting a template or help if you’re in the tristate area.
---Finished product---
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,275
Likes: 10
From: Jerzy
04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
Nice DIY! No I only have to find the piece in anthracite and I will be set. I don't think Anthracite was an option for facelift models.
Edit: You dyed the piece? What color was it originally?
Edit: You dyed the piece? What color was it originally?
Last edited by dynomite05; Jan 22, 2011 at 06:12 PM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: pa
clk 350 w209, shelby gt 500,bmw 330xi
I will sell it, I got caught up in the barrett jackson auction last night. Got stuck watching it until 1:00 am, who said the economy is bad,a lot of people spent a lot of money for cars that aren't worth a lot.
I will PM you with the price.
I will PM you with the price.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
05 CLK500; 07 Volvo XC90
Awesome mod. A little too complicated for my meager skill. i wish we would get at least two cupholders. The engineer who came up with the location by the vent way from the driver should be flocked. A cold soda gets lukewarm after an hour trip in a toasty warm car 
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,275
Likes: 10
From: Jerzy
04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
05 CLK500; 07 Volvo XC90
It looks like you have to remove the entire center console out to add in the cup holder compartment. Do you know if I could just purchase the entire center console with the new cupholder compartment minus the wood trim from an '07+ and basically just do a swap?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,136
Likes: 5
Corrolla
Good question . I want to know if I can do swap like that too .. Less headache .
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: pa
clk 350 w209, shelby gt 500,bmw 330xi
yes you can change the whole console with less headache, how ever your bank account will take a hit.There does not seem to be any used ones around, new is going to be lot of money
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
05 CLK500; 07 Volvo XC90
Of course unless someone can guide me toward an 'aftermarket' cupholder attached to the side of the console 
.
