Center Console
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2000 E430 Sport
Center Console
I did a search on the "new" wood center console (started in 2005 E).
What do you think of this console? For a new buyer like myself the wood doesn't seem as comfortable as the old leather console.
I read the old posts on the subject. In late 2004 the vast majority of members preferred the old console with the "traditional" flip-out cupholders.
I too would choose the older style console. Anyone actually buy a replacement console for their E? How much? Is the new console comfortable after a year or so? Does it hold up?
What do you think of this console? For a new buyer like myself the wood doesn't seem as comfortable as the old leather console.
I read the old posts on the subject. In late 2004 the vast majority of members preferred the old console with the "traditional" flip-out cupholders.
I too would choose the older style console. Anyone actually buy a replacement console for their E? How much? Is the new console comfortable after a year or so? Does it hold up?
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
I did a search on the "new" wood center console (started in 2005 E).
What do you think of this console? For a new buyer like myself the wood doesn't seem as comfortable as the old leather console.
I read the old posts on the subject. In late 2004 the vast majority of members preferred the old console with the "traditional" flip-out cupholders.
I too would choose the older style console. Anyone actually buy a replacement console for their E? How much? Is the new console comfortable after a year or so? Does it hold up?
What do you think of this console? For a new buyer like myself the wood doesn't seem as comfortable as the old leather console.
I read the old posts on the subject. In late 2004 the vast majority of members preferred the old console with the "traditional" flip-out cupholders.
I too would choose the older style console. Anyone actually buy a replacement console for their E? How much? Is the new console comfortable after a year or so? Does it hold up?
I Didnt care for the NEW style..Roll Type center console..So It was replaced with a Clam shell NON Wood center console....Much better on the arm!
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2000 E430 Sport
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
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Joined: Jul 2007
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I'd be grateful if you could post a picture, as I don't like the console that came with the car and would prefer something more comfortable.
Is this an install a novice can do? Also, are they able to match the console to the leather of your car? I have an 08 350 with Cashmere leather.
Is this an install a novice can do? Also, are they able to match the console to the leather of your car? I have an 08 350 with Cashmere leather.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Reaon for new console is MUCH better telephone connection components.
Plus cupholder with no moving parts.
Both are improvements and not everyone finds it uncomfortable.
Plus cupholder with no moving parts.
Both are improvements and not everyone finds it uncomfortable.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
In my '04 one could unclip the phone from the cradle or unclip the phone with the cradle attached from the "floor of the consile" & extend the whole assembly out of the console as it was connected by a coil cord.
In the '07 one can only unclip the phone from the cradle, as the cradle is affixed to the rear of the consile with no coil cord.
I've had them both. I do not find the new console uncomfortable, although the cup holders are truely good cup holders in the new console, and not good at all in the old. The old console had much more storage room inside it because there were an upper & lower compartment, and the forward portion of the upper compartment did not slope downwards towards the gear selector stick, so the storage bin was deeper too.
If you remove the cup holders from the new console, the storage area is surprisingly big.
The only thing I'm surprised no one has complained about is in the glove box. For '07 they designed the floor of the box to come upwards about an inch and 3/4s, forming a railing to keep things from "spilling out" with the door open on rapid acceleration, but who does that? It severely limits access to the glove box, and obscures many items from view. I also couldn't use my '04s glove box shelf in the new car.
In the '07 one can only unclip the phone from the cradle, as the cradle is affixed to the rear of the consile with no coil cord.
I've had them both. I do not find the new console uncomfortable, although the cup holders are truely good cup holders in the new console, and not good at all in the old. The old console had much more storage room inside it because there were an upper & lower compartment, and the forward portion of the upper compartment did not slope downwards towards the gear selector stick, so the storage bin was deeper too.
If you remove the cup holders from the new console, the storage area is surprisingly big.
The only thing I'm surprised no one has complained about is in the glove box. For '07 they designed the floor of the box to come upwards about an inch and 3/4s, forming a railing to keep things from "spilling out" with the door open on rapid acceleration, but who does that? It severely limits access to the glove box, and obscures many items from view. I also couldn't use my '04s glove box shelf in the new car.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
I agree with Barry. I was really upset when they did away with the clamshell console I had in the '04 E320 but after a three week driving vacation, I actually prefer the new one in my '08 E350 over the old one. Both my wife and I could rest our arms on the edge of the new console and I haven't had any problems docking my phone in the Razr cradle in the new console.
If you are not a coffee drinker, you can easily remove the cup holders from the new console and you'll have quite a lot of room.
The old one did provide cooling and heating but the space was so small that it wasn't all that useful. We had to put in the smallest water bottles we could find.
Barry's comments about the glove box are also true but we got used to making sure we didn't have anything missing that was down in the bowels of the glove box.
So we have no problem with the new console and I'd chose it over the clamshell version if I had to make the choice.
BTW, I can't come up with adjectives that could adequately describe how pleased I am with the '08 E350. It's better in every conceivable way over the '04 E320 other than a slight loss in fuel mileage.
I also can't believe I'll have any interest in the new 2010 W212's when they get here. I think I've found my last car.
If you are not a coffee drinker, you can easily remove the cup holders from the new console and you'll have quite a lot of room.
The old one did provide cooling and heating but the space was so small that it wasn't all that useful. We had to put in the smallest water bottles we could find.
Barry's comments about the glove box are also true but we got used to making sure we didn't have anything missing that was down in the bowels of the glove box.
So we have no problem with the new console and I'd chose it over the clamshell version if I had to make the choice.
BTW, I can't come up with adjectives that could adequately describe how pleased I am with the '08 E350. It's better in every conceivable way over the '04 E320 other than a slight loss in fuel mileage.
I also can't believe I'll have any interest in the new 2010 W212's when they get here. I think I've found my last car.
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
OK, OK, let me clarify that a bit. The E350 is now officially my wife's car and she ain't likely to get a replacement anytime soon. As for myself, I'm still trying to get approval for something better than a CR-V to replace my car which is a 16 year old 300E.
Since we just put a small fortune into upgrades for the golf cart, my prospects aren't very good.
Since we just put a small fortune into upgrades for the golf cart, my prospects aren't very good.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 429
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From: New York Area
'14 E350 wagon; BMW G12 (2020) G01 (2019)
I had old clamshell on my 05 E500 and now new style on the 08 E550. After a few days you get used to the new style and the cupholders are far superior to the old contraption. As for the phone, I don't see much difference. You do lose storage space, as Barry indicated. I don't keep much in the glove box and it has a small pocket in the door that is perfect for my iPod mini. Don't leap to swap out the new style for the old until your driven it a while. You may find you like the new.
