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To be honest I'm on the fence on the brown console, though I'm not a huge fan of the piano black due to its finger print magnet issue, the all brown look lacks a contrasting touch that the piano black provides.
I agree. The black provides some contrast. I prefer that over the monotonous brown look.
Thanks again for the write up. I ordered mine from the parts dept at Sears Imported Autos in Minneapolis, after making it clear that I was aware that this is a part from a E450, not an E400. The removal went quickly, though I was VERY glad that I photographed each plug before, or immediately after disconnection, (or both), as my aging brain and eyes sometimes had a difficult time finding the receptor upon re-assembly. I disassembled the 2-part clip holding the light source; it took me a while to have the courage to just pull it off. I thought it was cool that the clock reset itself upon being reconnected, and I love the way it looks. I'm not sure I would have tackled it if I hadn't had your assurance that it was a direct swap and your excellent write up to go by.
thank for the great step by step tutorial.
Thank you for providing the part number. It is relatively easy to find the part, however my question is, does the part come with the tray cover? Looking at the diagram for the part it seems that the tray cover needs to be purchased separately. Could you confirm?
Originally Posted by vic viper
Sure the gloss black looks classy, but I was a bit shocked when I was told that gloss black is the only option for the sedan and estate 213.
Coming from a S205 with the open pore black ash center console I also wanted it in my E.
A few months ago the E-Coupé arrived and the problem was solved, I ordered a panel immidiately and it arrived today.
Here is how you do it
Tools needed, small flat head screwdriver and a Torx 20 screwdriver
Remove the rubber grommets hiding the two screws, remove them and pull the armrest locking mechanism backwards.
Remove the two exposed screws, then lift and fold the panel upwards
Unplug the black and the white connectors below
Now pull the panel slightly down and backwards from its top fitting, lift the entire panel and place it to the side on your lap.
Disconnect the connectors to the 12V socket, media panel, AC-panel, keyless antenna module, analog clock and the two LED-modules for the ambient lighting, they just snap right out.
Now remove all the stuff from the old panel, touch pad module, ashtray compartment, media panel and the AC-panel
The touch pad is fastened with four screws, the ashtray compartment with just two, they are easy to spot and remove.
The AC and media panels are just snapped into place, use the flat head screw driver to bend the tabs holding the units, then remove the units from the back.
The lid to the ashtray compartment is just slid onto place, pull it firmly backwards and it snaps off.
Assemble in reverse order and it should look something like this, note the Mercedes-Benz microfibre cloth
Part number for this specific panel is A238 680 15 03, that is open pore black ash with ambient illumination,
they should exist in all the other different finishes, however I am not sure of this, remember that panels without ambient illumination, analog clock and so on has different part numbers.
Yes. Grain-matched tray cover is included when you order the PN for the console.
Thank you again iaincampE400 PN 238-680-15-03 does indeed come with matched tray cover. Hope this helps others contemplating to make the switch
here’s how my center console looks after the (much longer than expected) installation.
Let me know if anyone is interested in my old part. New Ash Wood Center console Piano Lacquer Center Console
edit: I’m blind...found the answer right above after posting. Can’t fig out how to delete my reply.
HI Vic,
been a while since you did this but did the cover for the cup holder come with part number A238 680 15 03? The cup holder cover also houses the NFC connection. Reason I ask this is, I noticed a separate part number (257-680-54-00) for the cover when doing a search online. Thanks!
Originally Posted by vic viper
Sure the gloss black looks classy, but I was a bit shocked when I was told that gloss black is the only option for the sedan and estate 213.
Coming from a S205 with the open pore black ash center console I also wanted it in my E.
A few months ago the E-Coupé arrived and the problem was solved, I ordered a panel immidiately and it arrived today.
Here is how you do it
Tools needed, small flat head screwdriver and a Torx 20 screwdriver
Remove the rubber grommets hiding the two screws, remove them and pull the armrest locking mechanism backwards.
Remove the two exposed screws, then lift and fold the panel upwards
Unplug the black and the white connectors below
Now pull the panel slightly down and backwards from its top fitting, lift the entire panel and place it to the side on your lap.
Disconnect the connectors to the 12V socket, media panel, AC-panel, keyless antenna module, analog clock and the two LED-modules for the ambient lighting, they just snap right out.
Now remove all the stuff from the old panel, touch pad module, ashtray compartment, media panel and the AC-panel
The touch pad is fastened with four screws, the ashtray compartment with just two, they are easy to spot and remove.
The AC and media panels are just snapped into place, use the flat head screw driver to bend the tabs holding the units, then remove the units from the back.
The lid to the ashtray compartment is just slid onto place, pull it firmly backwards and it snaps off.
Assemble in reverse order and it should look something like this, note the Mercedes-Benz microfibre cloth
Part number for this specific panel is A238 680 15 03, that is open pore black ash with ambient illumination,
they should exist in all the other different finishes, however I am not sure of this, remember that panels without ambient illumination, analog clock and so on has different part numbers.
Finally received my black ash centre console which was on back order from Germany.
Followed the instructions and incredible impressed with the outcome.
Had the black ash on my previous C (upgraded as I didn’t like the piano black plastic) so desperately wanted to have it on my E, I’ve lived with the black plastic for some time to see if I could warm to it but never did.
I took my time as I didn’t want to break anything and wish I’d done it sooner.
Hi all,
can anyone guide me where to buy the centre console part in black ash for an E43 in Australia?
ive been googling the hell out of it and can’t find anything locally.
Thanks in advance
Finally received my black ash centre console which was on back order from Germany.
Followed the instructions and incredible impressed with the outcome.
Had the black ash on my previous C (upgraded as I didn’t like the piano black plastic) so desperately wanted to have it on my E, I’ve lived with the black plastic for some time to see if I could warm to it but never did.
I took my time as I didn’t want to break anything and wish I’d done it sooner.
wondering if you have a part number. I went to my local Mercedes dealer and they had trouble locating the exact part number.
cheers
wondering if you have a part number. I went to my local Mercedes dealer and they had trouble locating the exact part number.
cheers
if you read earlier on this thread it lists the part numbers for the different trims.
the reason Mercedes can’t find it is because the part number listed is for the Coupe however the centre console is exactly the same. There will be a specific part number as the option for the open pore wood trim became available on the saloon/estate from about 2018 onwards in the UK. I’ll dig out the number however look back at the start of this thread and it’s on there somewhere.
if you read earlier on this thread it lists the part numbers for the different trims.
the reason Mercedes can’t find it is because the part number listed is for the Coupe however the centre console is exactly the same. There will be a specific part number as the option for the open pore wood trim became available on the saloon/estate from about 2018 onwards in the UK. I’ll dig out the number however look back at the start of this thread and it’s on there somewhere.
this is the part number on the box.
A 238 680 15 03
please check it’s the right one for your car before you order. As I mentioned it’s listed at the coupe part but exactly the same.
I don’t think you need to pay to get this done unless you think you don’t have have any diy skills.
I personally don’t mind taking things apart however draw a line with expensive things like my car however you are just unscrewing and unplugging, swapping bits over and then doing the opposite to put it back.
It took me about 1 hour but I was doing everything very carefully and deliberately slow but the reward of it in place and perfect and knowing you’ve done it yourself it brilliant.
I don’t think you need to pay to get this done unless you think you don’t have have any diy skills.
I personally don’t mind taking things apart however draw a line with expensive things like my car however you are just unscrewing and unplugging, swapping bits over and then doing the opposite to put it back.
It took me about 1 hour but I was doing everything very carefully and deliberately slow but the reward of it in place and perfect and knowing you’ve done it yourself it brilliant.
get a friend to help if you need moral support.
I know, I have done it myself with no problem what so ever using the guide in this thread.
I just wanted to know what others pay for this so I can put this in my “mental-savings-account”
hello vic viper ... how do you remove the ash tray lid from the center console. im switch my e400 coupe shinny black console to match the dash trim.. I took everything apart I just can't seem to get the ash tray lid off
QUOTE=vic viper;7129788]Sure the gloss black looks classy, but I was a bit shocked when I was told that gloss black is the only option for the sedan and estate 213.
Coming from a S205 with the open pore black ash center console I also wanted it in my E.
A few months ago the E-Coupé arrived and the problem was solved, I ordered a panel immidiately and it arrived today.
Here is how you do it
Tools needed, small flat head screwdriver and a Torx 20 screwdriver
Remove the rubber grommets hiding the two screws, remove them and pull the armrest locking mechanism backwards.
Remove the two exposed screws, then lift and fold the panel upwards
Unplug the black and the white connectors below
Now pull the panel slightly down and backwards from its top fitting, lift the entire panel and place it to the side on your lap.
Disconnect the connectors to the 12V socket, media panel, AC-panel, keyless antenna module, analog clock and the two LED-modules for the ambient lighting, they just snap right out.
Now remove all the stuff from the old panel, touch pad module, ashtray compartment, media panel and the AC-panel
The touch pad is fastened with four screws, the ashtray compartment with just two, they are easy to spot and remove.
The AC and media panels are just snapped into place, use the flat head screw driver to bend the tabs holding the units, then remove the units from the back.
The lid to the ashtray compartment is just slid onto place, pull it firmly backwards and it snaps off.
Assemble in reverse order and it should look something like this, note the Mercedes-Benz microfibre cloth
Part number for this specific panel is A238 680 15 03, that is open pore black ash with ambient illumination,
they should exist in all the other different finishes, however I am not sure of this, remember that panels without ambient illumination, analog clock and so on has different part numbers.[/QUOTE]
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