Just got a J spec 07 E350 Aventguard S for my wife here in Japan and the car does not have front cupholders, just a storage box. I hear everyone gripe about the cupholders but is it worth buying one? I saw one on ebay for $110 !!! and another on ebay.de for 10,5 Euros (unfortunately, I don't even know if they will ship to me). Are there other options?

Thanks

 

I have never used the cup holder in the 5 weeks I have owned the car; I am thinking of puting it away somewhere safe, to give me more storage space. I think I will only need it when my wife travels with me because she loves her tall cup of tea, other than that I would never use it.

 

The USA spec butterfly top console cupholder was a pop up device that looked great but.....

The drivers cup holder will hold a 12 oz soda can rather well, (nothing wider) and it's deep to greatly reduce the chance of a spill. The passenger cupholder is a raised platform with an inch and a half deep "holder" that will surround the bottom inch and a half of a cup. I would only use that cup holder while parked as a place to rest the drink while buckling the seat belt or looking at a map... and NEVER while in motion, and never without holding the drink while it is in there if you are in motion. There are expensive electronics beneath the console that do not mix well with liquids.

 

It is a neat device and impresses people because it is completely spring powered. I have seen them for less on e-bay. It looks fragile and would not
appear to take much abuse. I would agree that the capacity is rather limited
Perhaps other cultures do not require 44 ounce cups to satisfy their thirst.
I would pay $50 for a replacement if (when)this one breaks

 

I almost crashed my car bc of the cup hold. I have one of these 32oz cup with the small bottom. It fits in the passenger side perfectly. As it was resting the cup holder I was make a right hand turn on to street I live on, and from the corner of my eye I saw the cup starting to fall over. My reflexes cause me to grab the cup but in the process I let loose the steering wheel and i was head for the park cars. but thank god these car are very nimble and I was able to catch the soda and avoild the park cars. so ever since that day I dont us the cup holds

 

In germany you can purchase the cup holder at a MB dealer for approx 30 - 38 Euros. So $110 is way to much + shipping to Japan = $20. ebay germany may be a good solution for you, however cup holdres are not as popular in germany as in the US so availability may be limited on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.de/Original-Cupholde...QQcmdZViewItem

This one only ships in germany and it says that it gets stuck when you open it and you need to manualy assist.

Also do you have the roll-up storage compartment or the two way fold out version? For the roll-out storage compartment there is a different cup holder package available that sits inside the compartment.

Can you not order one from MB Japan?

 

Cup holder for W211 [fold out version]

MB Germany. 39€
Order Nr. B66920118

 

I agree that the spring loaded cup holder at first is like a magic trick to those who are easily amused (thats me). I only use it in a pinch due to electronics and a light interior. So is the cup holder worth the money? I guess that depends on whats going in the cup.

 

I had my cup holder replace under warranty. However the cup holder at my dealer was 104, and my dealer is very very expensive. So 110 is a rip off..

 

So, the general consensus, is lukewarm. Its OK for the driver to put a 12 oz. soda can, or a thin coffee container in there, but not safe as a cupholder for the passenger's beverage. I wouldn't spend a hundred bucks on one that was missing unless I had to replace it on a lease return.

 

Wait until you have a panic stop and spill the drink in the cup holder...

The Liquid WILL leak into the shifter

The car will be towed to the dealer and the tab to replace the electronic shifter
will be North of $1,000.00

This is why I upgraded to the EURO clam shell console for the W211