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I'll complain all I want. It's valid. If it's in a Benz it shouldn't look cheap. If a fancy Ford's looks nicer, there's a problem.
Not sure there's any way to dress-up a cup holder. My 2001 C-Class has a nifty, "Transformer-like" cup holder that collapses into the primary cup holder,. Looks pretty neat in operation (suitably over-engineered for an MB), but made of fragile black plastic that hangs over the console into the passenger space where it inevitably gets struck by the passenger... I've replaced mine twice in 18 years.
On the 212, the sliding console cover can be set to reveal only the cup holders (there are two detents). I like that it is removable to reveal a larger cubby-hole without it. I suppose one can cover it in vinyl woodgrain if necessary. Doesn't concern me though.
Not sure there's any way to dress-up a cup holder. My 2001 C-Class has a nifty, "Transformer-like" cup holder that collapses into the primary cup holder,. Looks pretty neat in operation (suitably over-engineered for an MB), but made of fragile black plastic that hangs over the console into the passenger space where it inevitably gets struck by the passenger... I've replaced mine twice in 18 years.
On the 212, the sliding console cover can be set to reveal only the cup holders (there are two detents). I like that it is removable to reveal a larger cubby-hole without it. I suppose one can cover it in vinyl woodgrain if necessary. Doesn't concern me though.
Doesn't have to be dressed-up, per se. Just make it not look like a couple of cheap pieces of removable plastic. You can even see the tab to "unlock" it just sitting right there.
Something like this:
Then with the "nubs" that squeeze against the cup... perfect. Simple, classy.
I never did think to remove them and leave them out though. Food for thought.
Doesn't have to be dressed-up, per se. Just make it not look like a couple of cheap pieces of removable plastic. You can even see the tab to "unlock" it just sitting right there.
Something like this:
Then with the "nubs" that squeeze against the cup... perfect. Simple, classy.
I never did think to remove them and leave them out though. Food for thought.
TeeEl nails it again here. They don't need to be dressed up. It's just that they look so much worse when you try to. These above are excellent. Even the plain black plastic ones in my Audi S5 (which has a more "sporty-themed:" interior anyway, i.e. all black and some aluminum accents) are fine, because they're just out there in the open.
Drove the 2019 loaner again last night and the cupholders are SO MUCH WORSE even than ours. As mentioned, at least the W212s have the sliding door that hides away, and has the two detents so you don't need to look at your change and the cig lighter. But the W213....wow. The enormous door basically opens straight up and remains sticking up several inches when open. It's like you're going down into the Swan Station. In fact the door is so big it even blocks some access when open.
Hmmmm.....I do have a veneer press in my basement.....maybe I need to order up some burled walnut veneer and rectify this myself. I am loving the look of the silver trim above. Wonder if I could make something up to match the aluminum trim around the console.
I genuinely like the pre-facelift, but love the updated version! The profile and front-quarter view is aggressively sporty while simultaneously classy and restrained, and that did it for me! I can see these lines as lasting over the ensuing decades, much like the signature ca70s SELs that I think are still such a standout today.
I cant think of a single styling cue but I really liked the rear three quarter view when I got my car, but over time I put some wheels on, modified my hood, added a front lip etc.. and now I cant even think of a single cue I DONT like. Everything is glorious!
I cant think of a single styling cue but I really liked the rear three quarter view when I got my car, but over time I put some wheels on, modified my hood, added a front lip etc.. and now I cant even think of a single cue I DONT like. Everything is glorious!
Pre-facelift: I dislike the floating speedo needle and the analog clock that is so prominently featured in the instrument panel, but the M278 and sport steering wheel were too good to pass up. The floating speedo needle doesn’t bug me today, but the clock still bugs me with its minute hand that “ker-chunks every 60s instead of smoothly moving.
Took me a year to find one with the bells and whistles I wanted, for the price I wanted to pay. For some reason I thought night vision would be cool but the glare from oncoming headlights makes it useless. Audi did a better job than MB with the night vision thing. Pano roof is worth it though. Added shades for the rear doors...replaced door panels with sonnenrollo's from Germany. Thought about adding passenger dynamic seat but cant because its a US car and I doubt I could code it to operate properly once installed. Still like the 2010 body more than the newer ones. The lines are "harder" IMHO. Only wish I could have the bi-turbo in a 2010.
Doesn't have to be dressed-up, per se. Just make it not look like a couple of cheap pieces of removable plastic. You can even see the tab to "unlock" it just sitting right there.
Something like this:
Then with the "nubs" that squeeze against the cup... perfect. Simple, classy.
I never did think to remove them and leave them out though. Food for thought.
Hahaha. Even still, that's not that great though. I mean, you can still see the lock/latch piece, but additionally it just looks like two pieces of sheetmetal. I think if there was an add-on that kind of went down into the cup holder itself? I dunno. I'm not sure how I'd dress up the current cup holder to be honest.
Having said that, I'm glad I CAN remove the cup holder easily now, after I had a Starbuck's drink where the lid wasn't secure. Which of course I found out after I punched it at a stop sign.
1966 Mercedes 250S/ 1993 Mercedes 300E 2.8/ 1987 Buick Grand National/ 2019 Ford Ranger FX4 Lariat
No one single styling feature prompted my purchase, but the total package has always been attractive to me. The AMG styling cues were something I wanted for aesthetics. The wheels, skirts, decklid spoiler, flat-bottomed steering wheel... just all works well together. It's an attractive car from all angles, in my opinion, but most importantly from the drivers seat. It's the single most often seen area of the car as an owner, right? Therefore, the gauge cluster and center stack / console area just has to be pleasing to me. Probably sounds frivolous, but this was the biggest reason I didn't buy the 2013 MKS Ecoboost that I drove. Car drove great, but I couldn't imagine looking at that gawd-awful gauge cluster every time I planted myself in the cockpit. Someone else above mentioned the hood ornament, and I agree that it's a nice touch... just another reminder while you navigate roads and highways, that you are in fact driving one of the finest automobiles on the planet. Ultimately, how this car treats me and my passengers while driving is what won my heart. Comfortable, muted, secure, confident, and effortlessly quick all wrapped up in a very handsome chassis. Can't beat it.
02-21-2019, 06:06 PM
