After diligent search on several sites I still can not find any alternative to $230.00 at the dealer for a replacement armrest. Nor am I able to find any disassembly instructions. The console is in great shape only the vinyl or leather (?) cover is bad. Any help greatly appreciated.

Search ebay for the part. Or, buy a wood covering that goes over it.

Thanks for the quick reply. Been searching ebay with no luck. I believe if I could disassemble it my upholstery guy could recover it at a fraction of the cost.

I have a similar problem on my 96 where the upholstery has a hole in it. let me no how it goes

My '96 actually has holes and the leather is ripping where the pull handle is.... how would I fix that???

hi there,

on youtube (google video) you will find an instructional video. link sounds polish yet it is english spoken. enter mercedes W210 návod in the search.
there are a couple, from how to take off door panels to changing headlights.
the vid will show you how to remove the center console. just have someone cover the lid with new leather or so, should be MUCH cheaper. on german ebay there are spare parts too for it. many 210's here (germany) getting taken apart... good luck!