My 97 E420 has the type of cup holder that is hidden in front of the armrest. When you flip back the wooden cover it reveals a silver button. Pushing the button makes the cup holder gracefully swing up and out. Love it very James Bond.

The problem is that to close it you are supposed to just push down on the same silver button and it "locks" itself in the closed/retracted position. When I push the button the cup holder seems like it is going almost all the way down, but not quite. It will not "lock" itself in the closed/retracted position and I have been forced to use a very embarassing workaround. Basically, I have to hold the button down with one hand and then yank the wooden cover back over it to force it to stay in the down position. So now merely flipping back the wooden cover makes the cup holder jump out at you.

Help! Does anyone know how I can fix this without taking it to the dealer who will charge me $90 per hour. I'm sure it will take then at least 3 hours to diagnose and repair such a complicated problem :-)

Thanks in advance all!

Take out the cupholder and inspect it for yourself! It easily pulls out. I believe it must be pushed slightly forward and then pulled up and out. It might just need to be regreased or whatever?
If not, you can get a simple replacement (simple to install yourself, just slips in!); I got mine at the dealer for $45.
Good luck!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

I appreciate your very helpful response. I wasn't sure if removing it myself would cause further damage. Much obliged!

By the way David, thank you again, it took me less than 30 seconds to fix the cup holder following your instructions!

Wow, DEFINITLY glad to hear that you fixed it so easily.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)