Installed extra gauges in place of ashtray 300E
 

I never used the ashtray on my 300E so I installed a couple of extra gauges in that space, VDO voltmeter and oil temp gauges bought on ebay (removed from an 80s Audi). I used the ashtray housing and bolted in a VDO bracket to hold the gauges. Looks pretty good. If you weren't lazy like me you could cut the wood on the ashtray to fill in the small gaps between the bracket and ashtray housing. Plan to install a 12V socket in the glove box if I ever need it to charge phone or something. Will post pics later.

can't wait to see pics...

I want to get rid of my ashtray and have a place to store cd's....

I hold out hope, I can find an insert that will fit in the spot....

not enough confidence to manufacture something myself....

seems like there would be an aftermarket product for this....

who uses an ashtray anymore? like you said, you could relocate the lighter element.

Thats a great idea. I have thought about using mine for something else as well. I would really like an oil temp guage some where but how do you connect it to the block? Is there a pre-installed sensor that can be used or does it take some modification? Please do post the pics :)

The easy way is to get an oil temp sender that replaces the oil pan drain plug. I believe the size for 300E is M14 x 1.5, and VDO makes a 300 degree F/150 deg C range sender (which you should use for oil temp) in that size. You can get it for around $27 from egauges.com - I highly recommend them for gauge-related stuff.

I have a complete extra ashtray - wood and all - into which I want to install a satellite radio. Anyone have any ideas?
Mark

My friend has an 01 A4 to which he put his Ipod into the ashtray. Seems enthusiasts can find just about anything to use the ashtray for other than interior harming habbits :D

I did the same thing 2 weeks ago. My oil temp is a vdo from an 80s vintage vw scirocco and the voltmeter i had picked up at a pawn shop years ago. I used a piece of 3/16 luan that i put a couple coats of poly on and it matchs up fairly good. Also i put the cig lighter in the center(for cel charger) along with a glow indicator. I would post some pics but i have no clue how to do it.

I noticed that the power to the ash try light does not dim with the dash lights, so if you want your gauges to dim tap into the dimmer wire from the radio.

ashtray
 

i use mine to hold all my spare change.

"I have a complete extra ashtray - wood and all - into which I want to install a satellite radio. Anyone have any ideas?
Mark"

I think the last 'Star' magazine had a picture article on installing 2 brands of satellite radio in the ash tray area of a couple different MBs.

"I want to get rid of my ashtray and have a place to store cd's....

I hold out hope, I can find an insert that will fit in the spot.... "

One of the European members a few years back said that there was an insert storage cubby that was installed in place of the ashtray on some 124 bodies, but I have never seen it - perhaps some of the current EU members can confirm this part exists?

here are pics of my install:

http://images.cyclones-world.net/DVC00440.JPG
http://images.cyclones-world.net/DVC00441.JPG

Just as a small footnote:

Did you know that the ashtray introduced on late 1987 W124s models (the soft open-close mechanism) won a very prestigious international design award?

Just for this reason, many M.B. loyalists consider this item a must for their cars, even if they don't use it.

The design was so successful that it was a mandatory issue for the W140.

That setup looks like ass. :pukeface:
It would look a lot better with some more elegant gauges placed in round holes cut to fit the ashtray wood.
It may be old but it didn’t turn into a dune buggy.

Thanks for sharing your opinion, but I am more interested in function than impresing pathetic jackasses on this board.

I think there is a european insert for the old cassette holder for the 190e's. I haven't heard of anything to replace the ashtray in the 300e..

maybe someone else has....

Ok lets see if this works

that didnt work for long lets try this