KarlS

(At the risk of being flamed by the, "You don't need no stinkin' cup holder when you're flying down the autobahn at 120 mph (or equivalent kh)" purists...)

I love my new SLK350, but I'm reluctant to use the dashboard cup holder because: (1) it minimally blocks a small part of the view out through the windshield, (2) it blocks one of the dash vents, but (most importantly) (3) anything that drips or spills through the open-bottom cup holder is going to splash on the COMAND screen or one of the many buttons on the dash (and THAT won't be cheap to un-gunk).

Have any of you come up with a suitable after-market cup holder that works in your SLK350 and isn't too tacky to put on such a nice vehicle? Thanks.

...Karl

Harris

Funny, I was discussing the cupholder issue with my wife over the weekend. I think it is soooooo stupid to place the cupholder underneath the air vents (I remember my ex-Golf GTI was like that also). I just dont understand what the guy was thinking when he designed the dash. What happen if I want to put a Coke there in the winter? The Coke will get cooked by the heat!!!!

I did try to look for an aftermarket cupholder. I found a Japanese made one that is mounted/hooked to the door panel. Since I dont want to the panel to have a mark on it, I didnt buy it.

My conclusion is: dont drink when you're driving alone. And if your wife is sitting beside you, her hand is your cupholder!

KarlS

Maybe at YOUR house!

NeilC123

Dear oh dear...you've just bought a £35k machine and you are worried about cup holders....you'll be asking for a cooler machine in there as well next! If you want a decent cupholder etc get a rolls royce or a bentley...a merc is to be driven fast!

KarlS

Excellent point!

But if I had a rolls or a bentley, I'd have one of my "people" hold my drink while I drove.

redvettx2

If the Germans focus a little on our market you would have the best cup holder available. It cant be that hard. The ones on my Dodge Truck are the best ive seen. Adjustable and will handle a super big gulp to a can and anything in between. The technology obviously did not get transferred. They don't drink in there cars overseas and they figure its our problem. An engineer should be able to develope a holder that can be sold to all the manufactures that pops out of a hidden location and does the job. Lots of money to be made is someones does. High tech yet functional.

mbbodytech

I think it's important to remember that it is illegal to drink anything and drive in Germany, and I wish that was the law here. Americans spend thier time doing every stupid thing possible while driving, except for driving. And then spend thier time complaining about something as stupid as why the cupholders aren't good enough.

By the way, the reason the center console is so messed up on the 06 211s is for all of you idiots that want big cupholders! So stop complaining!!!!

KarlS

As anticipated, I have been sufficiently flamed for asking a simple question. So very very sorry to have ventured into the world of elite car owners. Mia culpa.

Stricks

My wife's current SLK (a 98) has the cup holders above the vents, which doesn't work very well either. My E's cup holders are finicky at best, and small. I turned down getting a new CLK because it has but ONE cup holder. My wife and I do enjoy a drink while driving and we have different tastes. Anyway, I expressed our concerns to our MBZ salesman who said that it was NOT an uncommon complaint. We were/are considering getting an SLK55, but the comforts ARE important. Silly, but valid to us. You want me to pay the price, you deliver the goods the way I want them.

wil_sutton

No, KarlS... Anyone flaming you is being a primadonna... Europeans don't get our lifestyle, so they don't count, but that's beside the point... I have the same issue... what moron decided to put the cupholder above a $2800 navi unit? That's more important to me than the vents frying the drink...

My ML430 has a similar issue... the cupholder is in a very convenient place, on the left of the instrument cluster, but still right in front of the air vent. Useless in the winter. I know the newer ML350/500 has a cupholder in the console, so they did address the issue eventually... (My dealer gives out ML350s for loaners)

My solution, and I hope it helps... I just drink reclosable 20 oz sodas. I do a lot of commuting, so I'm usually alone in the car. I find the passenger seat is the best drinkholder for a resealable bottle. It might roll around a little, but the car is small enough that it's never out of reach. I prefer cans, but I buy the bottles just for the drive...

Hope that helps...

KarlS

Thanks... on several levels.

I usually only have a cup of coffee in the morning. It's not like I've got a Big Gulp or a beer.

I've decided to just put any drink I might have in the net on the passenger's side floor. Not ideal, since reaching for it means head-bobbing below the dashboard while reaching for it. But it'll do for now, and if it spills, it spills on the floor.

ahhyes

Well I figured out an alternative. SHHH...Nissan makes a cup holder for the center console to fit inside the console compartment. Works great and it doesn't interfer with diving or comfort. Check it out part # NF OR4V PP-T. It fits a nissan 350Z roadster.

wheld280

I agree that the location for the cup holder on the SLK350 is very poor. I did find a useful alternative. I didn't purchase the comfort package on my SLK. Thus in order to adjust my seat I have a black control handle on the front right of my seat that sits very close to the floor. I can slide a large size cup between this handle, the center console and the seat. The cup sits at a slight angle, so it is best to consume about 10% - 20% of your beverage before doing this. However once you do, it works just fine.
So for those that didn't purchase the comfort package, you may want to try this. Not a perfect solution, but a good alternative

Bill