Beowulf

Another forum member emailed me recently, asking about the lack of any armrest cushion on the '05 E55. I rarely use the armrest, but for what it's worth, the top pic shows my '05 E55 with padded armrest. The second shows an interior shot of an '05 E55 on eBay that looks like it has some kind of sliding top without padding, while the bottom pic is from mbusa.com, showing the E55 interior with the same console I have. I haven't seen this change mentioned before - anyone have info?

cbh2

It's a running change for all 2005 E-Class models. It's generally seen as a cost-cutting downgrade over the previous console; however, some have noted that the cupholders are now more practical. The other running change / downgrade is that the E-Class is no longer equipped with the REST feauture.

DRCrowder

what is the REST feature?

Beowulf

It's a feature that warms the interior of the car for approx 30 minutes using engine heat. Again, my 2005 E55 (July 25 build) has the REST feature.

I need to check out the revised center console firsthand, but the pictures sure make it look c-h-e-a-p! I may have to see about a console retrofit from the current to the incoming car.

///M e55

our brand new 05 e55 has the sliding center console

E55Soon

Lets not also forget that the 05's lost the Solar cell for Pano roof equipped cars!!! Talk about "Ghetto"

AMGB

That new arm rest looks so so uncomfortable. I would not buy an E55 if that was the case even for better cup holders. Also, did you loose the practical storage and where does the phone go now?

amgB

rguy

I don't know if that new console is going to make me vomit or give me diarrhea first! My condolences to the death of the aesthetically enviable interior. If you can even go to a junk yard and retrofit, by all means do. It doesn't even look like you can rest your arm on it to use the upshift button on the steering wheel. I sure am glad I gave up my e55 and went with the c55. I think everyone who got screwed without notice should write a letter and get mercedes to retrofit for free.

gmdebruyn

there is a huge thread on this issue in the W211 area. apparently you can swap out the new console for the old version if you want it.

Gareth

Mattar

Thank god I didn’t get this ugly cheap looking center Console…this topic has been discussed on The NEW W211 E forum here is a link if you are interested it has very detailed pictures. https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...center+console

Mattar

I have the solar cells on my car but I don’t know what its main function... I hope it’s not just for looks

Beowulf

Evidently not so, per someone whose dealer offered to swap consoles:

"Well, after having my car spend 6 hours at the dealership, I drove away with the exact same console (plus a couple of new scratches, which they will resolve by replacing the door). As it turns out, the new and old console are not interchangeable. Apparently, the fiber optic connection and routing is different between the two consoles. They didn't realize this until they had taken it apart and tried to connect the phone and TeleAid wiring. So, unless MB comes out with an adapter (which they no reason to do so), then there will be no swapping.

Oh well, I guess I will have to get used to it."

Too bad - sure wish I could have done the swap between my "old" & "new" '05's.

vitaman

"Get used to it" is the operating phrase here. Sounds suspiciously like what comes out of my friend's mouth when discussing the Idrive feature on his new 645Ci Coupe.

Beowulf

Agreed, but I'm not given to complacency.

We've got some creative people on this forum and it wouldn't surprise me if someone could devise an fiber optic adapter that would allow connection and routing while using the old console. If enough people are upset, it might be commercially viable.

deedee545i

The old center console looks better to me....New one is kinda cheap looking with low quality.....Reminds me the C-Class center console...

vitaman

My C Class resents that!
Actually, excepting the cheapish materials, the new C Class is far more like the old style E console. It has several storage compartments and a nice large padded cushion to give the ulnar a rest.

deedee545i

No, I mean the older style interior....Do you remember there's also a slide-open thing on the center console......

corgiman

Mattar:

The solar cells run the fan when the car is parked to ventilate the interior. Very useful on warm days - which we have a lot of in Texas!

VelocitE55

My '05 has the earlier (and better IMO) center console.

rguy

There is no sliding opening on the C55, if it exists, it must do so on the non-amg vehicles. The C55 has a center console much like the old e55 console.

tofumann

AS a first-time Benz owner, I was wondering how come my center console is so "cheap" as some of you had referred to.

This post answers my question.

onesixeight

I have an '04, but I test drove an '05 with the new console...If anything is better, there seems to be more leather stitching around the console area. I didn't mind the new console...i think the cupholders are better.

xraymd

I definitely like the new console better. It doesn't look "cheap." Hey, the CLS even has two of them. It's comfortable to rest my arm on, and the cupholders work well. I do wish it had a chilled compartment like the pre-decontented E.