'83 240D automatic

How does one remove the center console? I have done the following:
-removed top wood panel and switches
-removed middle panel with 3 climate control knobs.
-cannot figure out how to remove radio
-removed wood shifter panel and switches
-removed carpet and the single screw in the back

Do I need to take out the seats?

You may be able to just remove the arm rest instead of the seat

__________________
'85 300D - federal spec, built in late 84. 85 300D Complete AC System Rebuild

1983 240D Center Console Removal

Edit: W123 radio removal

I believe the seats can stay in place.

__________________
78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

Seats are easy to remove. I highly recommend doing so. The radio does need to come out. Not sure if you have the factory radio or aftermarket. Either way, play around - you'll figure it out.

Once the radio it out, you also need to remove the plate surrounding the shifter/gear selector. Once the radio is out, you can slide that plate back toward the rear of the car to disengage the locating lug from the center console. Aside from disconnecting/removing electrical switches, that panel should then pull out.

Once all that's done, you need to pull up the small piece of carpeting in the center console, as there's a screw you'll need to remove holding the console to the driveshaft tunnel.

I THINK that should do it.

Thanks for that link. There are screws on the side of the tunnel apparenty that need to come out. I suspect that with the seats out, it will be easier.

All that is done except the radio. It is original Becker. There is one nut on the left shaft that I removed, but no nut on the right shaft. There must be secret clips in there somewhere.

At least on my 85, there is only one screw holding the console in place. I just pulled mine this weekend by removing the arm rest. One screw towards the bottom of the hard panel on the back of the seat, push that panel down then pull it out of it's groove, then one large nut and a washer that hold the armrest in place. You might need to slide the drivers seat forward and the passenger seat back to make room
I have pulled w123 seats four or five times. They are heavy.

__________________
'85 300D - federal spec, built in late 84. 85 300D Complete AC System Rebuild

I figured out the radio. There are 2 metal tabs beneath it that I had to pull down while pulling the radio.