Removing console cover and shift assembly E320

[JohnC]

I would like to remove the cover of the console on my 2001 E320 in order direct some air into it to dry some components inside that got wet from rain. Don't have a service manual or CD for the car. Is this a doable project for an at best moderately skilled home mechanic and, if so, any advice on how to do it? Thanks

[speedy300Dturbo]

Open the cupholder door, reach your hand underneath the wood, and pull straight up at the rear. It may take a bit of force, but it'll come up. You might need to remove the plastic ring around the shifter first (it just unclips).

[Hatterasguy]

Their are two screws I believe that are under the wood right behind the shifter. Their are also two more right under the rear armrest. I had a W210 cosole out with my friend back in August but I don't remember the specifics. It only took us like 15 minutes to get out.

[speedy300Dturbo]

You don't need to remove the screws in order to remove the shifter trim, although this needs to be done in order to remove the entire console assembly.

[Hatterasguy]

Oh I miss read the first post! Yeah Speedy is right. The wood on the W210's is much stronger and has a nice aluminum back so it is harder to break then the wood of previos generations. Just be careful new wood is probably around $400!

[JohnC]

There isn't much room for your hand when the cup holder door is open (maybe was supposed to take it off?) and with minimal leverage I was afraid I would break something--wood, switch, wiring you name it. One of those things that you get over once you've done it once.....

[f4iman78]

Depending on how much water came into the vehicle and where it went, you might see some problems with your shifter assy (E.S.M) and/or window switches in the near future. Neither of them like liquid at all. Just wanted to give my 2 cents.

[JohnC]

Many many other problems yes, see my other post on the same day!

[Gilly]

To remove the entire console:
Remove wood trim as described (pull up on it from the rear to unclip it), then raise it up over the shifter and disconnect the electrical plugs. Way up in front of the console where it meets the dash are 2 black philips screws, remove them. Behind the shifter are 2 goldish colored phillips screws that go through the console material iteslf (through what I'd describe as a "cross bar"), remove those 2 screws too. (This is the hard part remove all the junk from the storage area in the console (SEE!), and remove this little patch of carpet in the bottom of this area, you'll see 2 more screws, remove those. It's good to go then, but usually I set the parking brake and pull the shifter back into drive, it comes out a bit easier then with the shifter towards the back.
To reinstall, one bit of advice is the panel on the "way back" of the console can be pushed out when the console is out (reach hand up into the console and push out at the top), if you do this, the rear AC vent is a bit easier to get into place, then it's easy to figure out how to put that panel back into place. Also note that when removing and reinstalling the console that there are guides on the very front of the console where it meets the dash, so pull straight up to remove the console (on the front) and make sure you reengage these when reinstalling, makes for a very nice close gap where the console meets the dash.

Gilly