Center Wood panel - Gear Shift and Switches

[dieselbeagel]

1993 300D 2.5L -- 124 body

The wife broke the switch that controls the side view mirrors. It controls both mirrors.

It looks like the center panel has to be removed to replace the switch. Unlike the 617's, there is no way to pry up the switch without damaging the panel.

Does anyone have any tips on how to remove the wood panel that is around the gear shift and window switches. It is in the center, between the front seats.

Thanks!

[speedy300Dturbo]

Open the roll-top center console box. There are two screws at the front. Remove them and remove the box. There should be a single screw on a black plastic tab that holds down the wood. Remove this and pull up gently, starting at the rear.

[dieselbeagel]

Thanks!

[dieselbeagel]

I finally replaced the switch that controls the side view mirrors.

Move arm rest to the upright position.

Like said in the above post, there r 2 screws, inside and towards the front, holding the center console. Removed the 2 screws and remove the console towards the rear. A screw holding the wood panel, that was below the console, is removed.

There is a rectangular trim the is at the base of the gear shift. That is gently popped out.

The wood panel is the moved towards the rear and upwards. There r 2 small tabs that hold the wood panel in the front. It will only move up a few inches.

There is a plastic panel below the wood panel that holds the electric wiring.

The wood panel will not just come off. Unlike earlier cars, there r 4 small tabs, 2 on each side, that hold the plastic panel to the wood panel. Gently pry the tabs and the wood panel will separate from the plastic panel below.

Only the mirror switch and the fader control plug into the plastic panel below the wood panel but r clipped to the wood panel. The other switches just sit on the plastic panel below and pop into the wood panel.

Both the mirror switch and the fader r held on to the wood panel by 2 tabs. Pry the 2 tabs and then pull the switch out.

Trying to replace the mirror switch from the top without taking the panel off would damage the wood panel.

Assembly is reverse of the above.

[Bio300TDTdriver]

I don't have the roll top console. I removed the ashtray to see if there were any screws hidden under it, I didn't find any.