Few Changes on new '05's
 

I just picked up my car today and noticed two distinct changes from earlier 2005 models:

1. The center armrest has been redesigned. IMO, it has cheapened the interior significantly. It now has a single compartment that opens via a sliding wood cover.

2. The windshield sticker with Daimler's signature is no more. The sticker is still there, but it has "Mercedes" written in bold old-fashioned script.

3. Center console now has strips of chrome covering the seam on each side.

That's all I've noticed so far. I hope there are no more suprises unless they are good (I doubt that).

Please post a picture of the redesigned center armrest if you can; inquiring minds want to know. The M-B web site still has a Quicktime 360-degree movie of the 2003 interior, with (of course) the old-style center armrest.

On the weekend I saw a 2005 E500 with the new center armrest and it kinda' looks awful.. It is a sliding center console with only one copartment without the cool wood triangles.

He is right, the sticker is weird too.. It is too bold in my opinion although the font is kinda' cool.

Also, the dash grill is now a mesh speaker thing and does not blend with the two vents below.

I personally do not like the changes at all..

Here are a few pics of the console. Sorry for the phone pics, but it was quick and easy. Hopefully, these can at least give you an idea of what I'm talking about. I'll post better pics later if necessary.

http://www.ebl-entertainment.com/images/console1.jpg
http://www.ebl-entertainment.com/images/console2.jpg
http://www.ebl-entertainment.com/images/console3.jpg

At least for right now, the pictures are not uploading.

Not only does it look much less attractive to me, but it is by no means comfortable. :mad:

Thanks for the pictures, but it's hard to make out the details of the new sliding door - is it a tambour door? It must be; a solid door wouldn't have anyplace to go unless it's split down the middle and the halves recess into the side of the console.

Either way, it looks like you can't possibly rest your arm on it.

A little more sleek looking, but doesn't look very ergonomic. Where does the phone go? Down in the bottom of the hole? Where are the cup "holders"?

Yes, it is.
Correct, at least not comfortably.

WTF were they thinking?

I believe the cupholder is in there at the front.

Yeah your arm rest is now not as comfortable... Tell them you want the old center, I am sure they could order one for you and that it wouldn't be that expensive..

I have a phone call into my man right now. But, I doubt it would be an easy replacement. The whole console from the ashtray to the armrest, including the shift, appears to be a single piece. We'll see.

That's really strange? For some reason, the pictures are not uploading for me, but apparently others are getting the pictures? :nix:

If you are using IE, try right clicking on the would-be picture and select "show picture."

Tried that already. Just get 3 red X's. Just one of the unlucky ones today :(

you can have my daimler sig.. i dont want it. :)

Some of these changes are apparently mid production run. I have an 05 E500 delivered 8/20/05. The window decalis new style. The dashboard "grille" is new style (also no temperature adjustment for the front vents), but I do have the old style center console. Just as a point of curiosity, where would they put the phone in the new center console?

Saw the pictures about an hour ago, but can't see them currently - maybe Yahoo has bandwidth restrictions on their picture hosting and too many of us are hitting them?

You know what? You'll get used to the look. That's what makes yours an '05. Don't try to make "Frankenbenz". Cars designs evolve. The look will soften. Don't let it make you crazy! I does look different, but it is sleeker.

Well,my man called me back and said they could swap it out for me at no cost. What a deal! Thanks atssystems for the suggestion.

Congrats on getting the car and sorry to hear about the arm rest. I must have gotten lucky, as mine which was delivered only 3 weeks ago, had the old style one.

The phone fits in a small slotted area in the back of the compartment. The front of the compartment is the dual cupholder section, which can be entirely removed.

Barry, you make a good point, which I also considered. But, it is just not comfortable. Personally, I need an armrest when I drive. This one is not quite functional as an armrest. Besides that, it is different looking and distinctive as a 2005. But, that aspect would most certainly have to grow on me for me to appreciate it. Nevertheless, come Friday, I won't have to worry about this again. That's when my dealer will swap it out.

Hey no problem.. I would do the swap too as you will like it. The new look kinda' looks like the new C class and I do not mean to offend anyone that like it but it does kind of cheapen the look of the interior as it doesn't flow as well when looking through the window or when getting in.

Yes, I have seen two E500 with different armrests. The one with the new features was a 4Matic made in Australia and the one with the old features (except for the new speaker grill) was a German E320.

One REALLY nice thing about the new E series is the door below the front seats (where I put all my stuff) looks wayyyyy better in the new 05's. It looks more leather while in the 03 and 04 it looks very plastic. What is it made of on the new 05's? Is it covered in a faux plastic? Let me know..

The pictures are not coming up for me either. FWIW, I have an '05 that I picked up at the factory on 8/30, and it has the old style console.

Hmm...that's funny because before I even read your post I thought those doors looked and felt too plastic. So, may I have the old doors. I dunno. I haven't seen the two styles, so I don't know which I have. But, they definitely have a very plastic look and feel on my car.