Hi Gang - Long time reader and first time poster. I read all the great posts here on a dialy basis, so I thought I would share some info for those having trouble or need to know how to remove and replace the center Zebrano wood console on your '94-'95 E320 \ E420
I bought my '94 E320 at the beginning of summer and I have taken some time to fix all those little things that annoy me.
One of those things is the many cracks and scratches on the surface on the center wood console of the car.
I called a few places to have the wood re-finished and most places were not interested in such a small job and other quoted me $200+ prices, a M-Benz wood refinisher that advertises in the STAR magazine quoted me a min. of $150 not incl. shipping there (CA) and back to me.
Interesting thing. I called my local dealer and they told me that a new center console piece would be $260! Or less 10% if I was a MB club member (which I am).
I then got my new STAR magazine and while thumbing through I called Calliber Motors in Anaheim Hills, CA, who is a M-Benz dealer and they said they would sell me the same new console for $180! I also called SL Accessories and they were $190, so I bought the new console from Calliber.
The new console that is now produced by MB, only comes with ALL the cut outs, for all the accessories like heated seats etc etc, so if your car does not have this then you have to buy a $2 black plastic blank-out trim piece - which annoyed me as I think it cheapens the look of the new console. I had to buy three of these $2 blank-out pieces. I guess M-B is trying to cut production costs on certain parts.
The worst part is that I had to DELICATELY Dremel two of the holes on my new piece as the wood had just enough of an edge to prevent the blank out pieces from fitting properly.
Here is my old cracked Zebrano console (very familiar to us!):
To remove your old wood console:
1) Flip up the center high armrest.
2) Slide back the wood roller piece that is below the center high armrest. Look to the top of this compartment and you will see two self-threading screws:
3) Undo both and the entire center lower compartment will come right out - place in a safe spot.
4) Undo the bottom center threaded screw on the Zebrano console:
5) Carefully lift up on the center console and the power miror switch will come out with it. The top of the center console is pivoted under the stereo so just work it carefully until it comes free, here are the pivot legs:
6) The ole cracked scratchy console will now come out - voila!
7) For installation of the new one, I STRONGLY recommend removing all the power window switches and the child restraint window slider and FIRST fitting them in the new console. The reason being that you will have to unfortunately Dremel a few of these holes to get the power window switches to fit. Also M-B has changed the black mouting clips on the underside and it will be much easier to do this - trust me on this!!
The console with all the switches removed:
8) Here is the new one (left, lots of finger prints -so excuse) next to the old. Note the black blank-out trim pieces on the new one:
The rest of the re-installation is the reverse steps for the removal!
Time required 1-2hours.
Tools: A Phillips screwdriver and a Dremel with a wood sanding barrel end.
While I had everything out I replaced the cracked clear plastic rectangular piece that goes over the "P-R-B-D-2-L" and replaced my shifter with a brand new genuine M-B Zebrano shifter, which is only held in by one 15mm nut and is easy to access one you remove the plastic assembly for the shift gate and the P-R-B-D-2-L assembly under that. I purhased the shifter off eBay from a seller in Vancouver for $65 and the new plastic "P-R-B-D-2-L" assembly was $45 (from Calliber).
I also upgraded my cassette (!) \ stereo to a brand new M-B CD unit from Europe (radio re-calibrated for the U.S) bought off eBay as well from an importer in Washington. Man what a great upgrade that was, the sound quality blows me away and having a CD player finally is a great relief. The stereo was $400 and installation took a few minutes once you have the keys (supplied with the new stereo).
I also replaced my badly warped rectangle black trim ring that goes around the shifter ($4 from Calliber).
Here is the final shot, all done buttoned up and gleaming before supper!
Hope that helps!!
Best Regards - Yasin
Linear Mode
