HBerman

Is there an insert that can be ordered to replace the ashtray in the front console? It sure would be handy to have a change holder there. On my previous MBs the was a pocket under the ashtray that was lined with rubber.

DHI

I understood that you can pry off the chromed cigarette holder "lid" to that ashtray and use it as compartment. Some have gone as far as lining it with felt to keep stuff from jingling in there.

HBerman

What is the procedure used to pry off the lid? Can it be snapped on again? I see in the OM that there was an "ashtray delete" option. I must have missed that specification when I was ordering. Thanks for your help.

DHI

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...t-ashtray.html

YYZ-E55

You can order a molded rubber mat from the dealer to replace the ashtray insert.

HBerman

Yep, the part was orderable for $13+. The special order is from Germany so it will take a week or so to arrive here. Thanks for the information.

El Cid

I dropped some coins in mine and have never heard any noise. It's pretty good size opening so you may not need to remove the cigarette holder anyway.
In a previous car, I bought some felt with adhesive on one side and used that to line the ashtray for a coin holder. Cheap? Yes, but it is an ashtray and no wait.

HBerman

All my previous MB cars had rubber tray under the ashtray so that it could be used for storage (cell phone, coins, keys, etc). Apparently, MB only provides this in Europe with the "smokeless" option. The $13+ price is a bit much, but it was serve the purpose. Thanks for your suggestion.

HBerman

All,

I picked up the molded rubber ashtray insert for smokeless cars (P/N posted above). Cost was $13.60 + tax.

Here's a picture of the installation:

DHI

Awesome!
Thank you for the information.

BPhillyBenz

I also got rid of the Silver ashtray. I simply popped off the silver top with a screwdriver, added a perfectly cut piece of felt to the bottom with double stick tape, then added a bead of 1/8" chrome molding and it looks like it's OEM. Now it's perfect for my phone and change. Took all of 10 minutes and next to nothing $$$.

kingofire

BPhilly, that looks awesome!!!

fromthebeginnin

Philly I'll buy one, how much?

BPhillyBenz

For you nothing...it's in the mail

Zinny

Philly,

Where did you get the chrome trim?

Will

hyperion667

haha, that rocks, I never even slide it open that far, lol....

BPhillyBenz

Any auto parts store (Pep Boys back here on the East Coast). It comes in a 6 foot length for about 13.00. Simply cut to size and apply. It has 3M adhesive backing on it. I used some extra to put in the notch on the side mirrors. It fits perfectly into the notch like it was meant to be there. Very nice because it looks embedded into the mirrors and it isnt too gaudy.

MCF

I guess I am a little confused. I removed the ash tray portion. When I did, there was a hole that change and what not would fall into. I simply took some felt and lined that compartment and covered the hole with felt. Is there an additional piece that can be removed to make the opening even larger??

BPhillyBenz

Once you remove the ashtray insert...pry off the silver top. Then do with it as you wish and reseed the base back into the console. (Hope that answers your question).

MCF

Gotcha. I just left entire ash tray assembly out including the base and used felt to line the void left. Makes for a bigger area for storing stuff.

XseangarciaX

I know this is really old but I just got a 2012 E350 and would like to thank you for the ideas. I just made my ash tray into a lighting dock charger using the chrome trim idea and another idea I saw using epoxy resin to fill ash tray solid. I'm still waiting on a different usb lighter charger to give it a cleaner look but this one works for now

XseangarciaX

Another pic

JDBKLYN89

Can you provide an outline of how this was done? Would be very interested to do the same

RSIKR

Philly,

Nice job with adding the chrome trim to the mirrors and ashtray core. I removed the metal from the ashtray on my last 2 E350s. I had the rubber insert and it is not as convenient to pick small objects up as the plastic ashtray without the chrome ashtray lip.

I will look for the trim. It appears to be about 1/8" in width. Does it have a groove on the back to slip over the ashtray edge?

RS

XseangarciaX

I had an extra Belkin iPhone lightning dock I was no longer using(pictured) so I removed chrome trim from ashtray and placed dock inside.

The docks backing was too tall so I cut it down really low so the wood center console cover was still able to slide over it when I wanted to hide it away

I drilled a hole in the side of the ash try just big enough to fit small side of the usb lighting cable through and only let enough cable to reach the lighter adapter hang out then silicone the hole shut.

Once hole was sealed with the silicone I used double sided tape to hold dock down and bundled up the usb cord inside the ash try compartment as low as I could that way when I fill it with epoxy I don't have any cable popping up.

Since I cut the back of my dock down I used 1/8" chrome strip as suggested in this thread by another user to cover the ugly cut on back of my dock that sticks out of the epoxy.

Next I got easy cast epoxy resin from hobby lobby(also sold at michaels or others craft stores) and a epoxy pigment(black) since the epoxy is clear and I didn't want to see ugly dock and cable bunch up through the epoxy. I've never worked with the epoxy before but it was pretty simple to mix, pour, and let cure for 3 days. It made it a nice solid black with a lightning charging connector sticking out.

Lastly I finished it off with the chrome trim around the edges. Cut the joining sides with 45deg per side to make a right angle on the corners and avoid seeing the cut off end of the chrome strip. The chrome strips have a double sided tape strip on them so you just remove the backing and stick in place. Purchased from autozone in a 20ft roll

This was not my idea. I took ideas from this forum and just posted how mine came out so thank you to original posters who I copied the ideas from