No cup holders AND no glove box? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 08-23-2002, 02:25 AM

OK, I know a car is for driving and there is a good argument why cars shouldn't be equipped with cup holders.(the safety issue) But NO glove box?
I recently bought a 1993 400e and my wife and I have been quite happy with the car. We were somewhat surprised that the car didn't come with any cupholders but I know that there are places you can buy cupholder add ons for your Benz.
But NO glove box? (It blew me away when I realized there wasn't one. I couldn't believe it at first and spent an hour searching the car for a well concealed glove box.)
I have the console to put some small items in but have no place but the door pocket to put the manuals.
Do all the other Benz models glove boxless too?

The Warden · #2 08-23-2002, 03:20 AM

I've heard that they did away with the glove box in order to accomodate a passenger's side airbag. My 123 has a glove box, but no airbag on either side.

And are cupholders a safety issue? I do quite a bit of long-distance driving (4 hours plus) and, believe me, being able to drink a coffee, frappucino, or even water on the road really helps me stay alert.

Having a cupholder allows me to know exactly where my water bottle or whatnot is, so I don't have to fumble around looking for it while doing 70mph on the I-5.

BTW, my 123 doesn't have any cupholders either; I'm using those cheapo ones that hook into the windowsill right now, and plan on installing those fold-down ones that they offer at the Benz dealers as soon as I can afford it.

omegabenz · #3 08-23-2002, 03:45 AM

The cup holders in the 123 will hold small mcdonalds water cups perfectly. I drove all the way to phoenix from california, with no spills to prove my point to my friend. haha, yeah, I just drink my drink, the dispose of the bottle. Keep in mind most people in germany drive stick shift mercedes and how do you think they drink their starbucks, talk on their cell phone, and put on their make up/shave....well they dont...=). There isnt enough demand to make good cup holders...so you just have to get those stick on ones from performance products....

The Warden · #4 08-23-2002, 04:49 AM

Austin, you're not talking about those baby indentations in the glove box when you're talking about "cupholders", right?

jjrodger · #5 08-23-2002, 04:54 AM

Cupholders are a safety issue??

If you need a drink, stop your car and get one. If you need to stay alert, stop your car and have a rest, or a short stroll, or a coffee. But for goodness' sake, don't drive around wheel in one hand, boiling coffee in another. What if you need to stop or steer?

The glovebox in W124's equipped with the passenger airbag should be between the seats.

The Warden · #6 08-23-2002, 05:19 AM

Actually, I don't drink coffee all that often. When I do and am driving, I prepare it before getting on the road and allow it to cool down considerably before touching it (I don't drink anything too hot; sensitive teeth). I usually go with something cold, and am driving on a highway with very little traffic, and am always sure to make sure I have a long straightaway with no hazards in sight (on major U.S. highways, there is nearly no danger of an animal or human walking into the middle of the road, except for in mountainous terrain which I don't drive in often) before I even think of taking a quick sip. This is not an uncommon practice around here; in fact, there are numerous stories of people applying make-up, shaving, and even reading while driving. Actually, taking a quick sip while driivng is no different than glancing down at the radio to change stations or whatnot. I don't take a sip of anything in traffic or when pedestrians or animals are around, unless I'm stopped i.e. at a stoplight. Other than that and occasionally eating (and I'm a master at getting food out of a fast-food bag ang into my mouth without my eyes wavering from the road), I pay strict attention to the road.

jcd · #7 08-23-2002, 07:38 AM

There have been many posts re: cupholders. I finally broke down and bought one from www.drinkholders.com. I had them make me a custom one with the zebrano wood inlay. I got the single cup model with black plastic and zebrano wood. It fits perfectly in the carpeted area of the center console, just behind the power window switches. It is a pretty nice piece of equipment and is one of the best $50 (ouch) investments I have ever made.

I have a 1 hour each way commute, if I leave at 6AM, and I NEED a cup of coffee. Now if I can only find a in car porta potty.

JCD

#8 08-23-2002, 10:38 AM

From what I have read in the other forums, having cup holders can be a safety hazard, especially in Germany. Besides most MB's being a standard transmission in Europe, traveling down the autobaun at 150+ mph takes up most of your attention. At that speed, you don't need any distractions.

Snibble · #9 08-23-2002, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TXBill

No, YOU can do that. I have to have my diet Dr. Pepper, iced tea, coffee, or whatever. Cupholders rule.

LOL... just like the way TXBill said that

omegabenz · #10 08-23-2002, 11:21 AM

yes I am talking about the cupholders, the indentations.

You can urinate while driving, but you will have to PM me on the procedure for that.

I was with my dad going to a car show in pomona, and we were driving in the range rover. You know how all good cars dont have cup holders, lol, well my dad put his coffee on the shifter gate area, and he took a turn all of a sudden so I reached to grab the coffee and I nocked piping hot coffee all over lap...he was pretty upset. He said, you should have let it spill on the center console...I was just trying to catch it. I guess jj is right, if you want a drink, pull over and handle the drink.

Benz_man600 · #11 08-23-2002, 07:06 PM

I DONT HAVE ANY CUP-HOLDERS IN MY 300SE. YOUD THINK A $70,000 CAR WOULD COME WITH CUPHOLDERS...

dieseldude · #12 08-23-2002, 07:33 PM

Cupholders have only come around because of American driving habits/road conditions. We have wide, slow roadways as compared to Europe and the long distances we tend to travel comparatively are quite condusive to having a drink (and snack) with you.

After a vacation in the UK last April, I can see why Europeans (and probably jjrodger

) don't see them as necessary (although I must admit am partial to them): the roads are much faster, have more turns, can be very narrow, and you never tend to drive more the 2 or 3 hours at a time. The Volvo we rented had them, but I still had 'the Mrs.' holding the drink and passing it over to me when the twisties relented....

So I don't what to think, I like em, but I can sure understand why Europeans think they're superfluous...

Regards,
- Ryan

By the way Toby, I think the lockable compartment under the armest is suppose to suffice, but you're right - the manuals won't fitwith any ease. Mine are in the driver's-door map pocket. taking up space.

#13 08-23-2002, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TXBill

No, YOU can do that. I have to have my diet Dr. Pepper, iced tea, coffee, or whatever. Cupholders rule.

AMEN!!!! Logging about 750K miles in big trucks over 5 years, I had to have a place for my sodas and coffee. I even had a fridge to keep the sodas cool.

It is a rare thing for me to NOT have something to drink (no alcohol) on any drive over 30 minutes.

#14 08-23-2002, 08:18 PM

My 500 did not have them nor do my BMW's it doesnt bother me one bit. The BMW is a stick so it's to much to have around that area and the 500 my mom put her drinks by the gear shift knob.

If I really need a drink that bad I put it between my legs between my feet if I'm not driving.

#15 08-23-2002, 08:37 PM

Cupholders are such an American disease, along with large General Motors sedans, full size SUVs with lift kits, and widespread obesity (no pun intended).

That said, in every car my parents and I own, there is exactly one cupholder in every car: The front passenger.

Personally, I'm too anal about interior spills to bother drinking beverages while driving. Talking on my cell phone while driving on I-90 on a crowded Friday evening with one hand is bad enough.

-Sam