[cyberdyne]

I recently purchased a burlwood roll top centre console for my 1989 560SEC from a member here, it was listed as fitting all W126 models however there is no way I am able to get it to fit properly in my SEC.

The front will sit flush and lines up as it should however there is no obvious way I can make the rear fit down and flush.

Am I missing something? Is there a trick to making these fit? In my W124 the box simply popped into place, fit flush all around and was secured with a set of screws up front and I was expecting the same with this one but so far this has been anything but!

 

[ianrandom]

No, it's the same as the other one and should sit straight in. Secured with two screws if you want.
Something must be mis-shapen, could it be your console? Or you may like to check the part number of your roll top box just to be sure.

 

[cyberdyne]

The two screws are provided and the box is pre-drilled for them. It's the right box for the car and nothing is misshapen.

A bit of reading and comparing pictures, tracking part number supersessions in the EPC and slight modification it works, here's the trick.

Something changed in the way these attach to the rear at some point and the base contains two small legs at the bottom rear section of the box that must be removed when fitted to a later model year car. These protrude slightly and are what prevents it from sitting flush in the rear.

I used a heavy duty utility knife to remove them and dialed it in to exactly match the angle of the box and the console with a hobby knife. I had a friend press down on it while we measured and adjusted it for an exact fit to ensure uniform and consistent spacing with no gaps.

Once we had it modified and fitting as tight as we could get it by hand we installed the screws at first by hand and then finished them off with electric impact wrench and long extension. The OE screws are pointed and there are threads cut for them behind the indents in the console so lining them up by hand first is key and this way the will sit flush in the interior of the storage box.

The screws also really draw down the box and once these are in place the storage box is perfectly flush and is SOLID. There is no loose wiggle, rattle or flex once installed with the screws, you could probably lift the car from this point.

I couldn't find this detailed anywhere else on the internet and I will probably take it back out shortly to have the lock keyed to match my car so I can snap pictures of what needs to be modified to make this fit. It took about 30 minutes but we were very, very precise on our measurements and worked very carefully and could speed this up knowing what I know now.

 

[w126Sam]

Good info. I had heard there was a very minor difference in earlier and later center consoles.. never really seen it discussed though.

 

[ianrandom]

Hmm I didn't know that. What year is your car? Both mine are gen 2 and no problems fitting the roll tops in either.

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

I got a roll top the other day at the yard, popped right in and put the screws to it. Just like it was made for it :thumbsup:

It latches just fine but who might have locks with keys for it, wouldn't have to be matched to the car unless that's the only way they come

 

[cascade]

I got a roll top the other day at the yard, popped right in and put the screws to it. Just like it was made for it :thumbsup:

It latches just fine but who might have locks with keys for it, wouldn't have to be matched to the car unless that's the only way they come

My understanding is that the round head valet key is matched to the console lock, so every valet key is different for each w126, and therefore for each console box lock.

 

[cyberdyne]

My SEC is also a Gen 2, 1989. Possibly different between US and Euro? The box is an MB part number.

I removed the lock panel and had it worked on by the local locksmith who got it sorted out and it is now keyed alike so one key works everything as it should.

 

[ianrandom]

I got a roll top the other day at the yard, popped right in and put the screws to it. Just like it was made for it :thumbsup:

It latches just fine but who might have locks with keys for it, wouldn't have to be matched to the car unless that's the only way they come

Wooky, local locksmith can do the lock for you. Or if you are nimble fingered you can do it yourself. The lock is straightforward to remove. Then you have to take out the levers of the lock from the side of the barrel and the tiny springs, then align them to the current key.

 

[mclare]

I took both my center box and glove box doors to that key guy that has his shop at Horst's yard in SV and he re-keyed them both to my Ignition key.

It was $20.00 per door.

 

[wooky_chew_bacca]

Wooky, local locksmith can do the lock for you. Or if you are nimble fingered you can do it yourself. The lock is straightforward to remove. Then you have to take out the levers of the lock from the side of the barrel and the tiny springs, then align them to the current key.

I'm sure I can get the barrel out, I'll find a locksmith to reset it to my keys, thanks to you, ian and mclare, cascade and cyber