W126 Cup holder - A little different approach
 

I've been trying to find the perfect cup holder for my w126s since I bought the first one a couple of years ago. I didn't want anything that would attach permanetly so that limited my choice. I hated everything I tried. Then I was doing a search on the forum and someone metioned Fischer as really high quality, German made product, I followed their link, liked what I saw and ordered two on the spot. They shipped quickly and the cup holders are top, top quality.

I live in a small town, work from home and most trips are pretty short, but when we travel, or drive the 100 miles to Chicago to see my kids and grand kids I really want a cup holder. I just don't want it in the way when I don't need it, which is most of the time.

I studied the Fischers for a week and finally came up with a solution that works really well, for me at least.

http://pairofshorts.com/mercedes/fischer1.jpg
I used 3M Super Strength Moulding tape to stick them together
in what would be the vertical mounting position.

http://pairofshorts.com/mercedes/fischer2.jpg
When folded out they form a nice stable base.

http://pairofshorts.com/mercedes/fischer3.jpg

But when folded up they tuck nicely at the back of the
console tray, leaving most of it open for whatever . . .

http://pairofshorts.com/mercedes/fischer4.jpg

When needed I lift up the arm rest . . .

http://pairofshorts.com/mercedes/fischer5.jpg

Slide it forward . . .

http://pairofshorts.com/mercedes/fischer6.jpg

For one cup you can open the front one . . .

http://pairofshorts.com/mercedes/fischer7.jpg

Or both will make it a little more stable. As you can see
the arm rest will fold down even when both are open,
though to use the back one you'd have to raise it.

http://pairofshorts.com/mercedes/fischer8.jpg

Even though the cup holders are just resting in the console tray
and do move around a slight amount, I've never had a spill,
even with both fully loaded.

Then when you don't need 'em . . .

http://pairofshorts.com/mercedes/fischer3.jpg

They're tucked out of the way but instantly available.

Very nice installation. I am only concerned that a sudden brake could send a slosh of liquid from the drink into the gear shifter and that would be $800+ job.

I like the idea; functional without being obtrusive. AND, I can move it from the w123 to the w126. I might just steal your patent!

Not on a W126. Neither the transmission nor the shifter is computer controlled unlike newer models. Mark

Is it also good for W124 too?

I already have the rolltop box in my 1991 coupe, rather than an open area like in yours, so I guess ONE of them (unsecured might) fit in there nicely but not spill in a sudden maneuver.....


I have a burwood covered square one on the driver's door that I have had on there for about 12 years, and it works, but is not adjustable and is awkward because I am NOT left handed.

So, how much does it cost? What are the measurements (would it fit within the rolltop box)?

And finally could you save us some trouble and post the direct link you found to it, please?

Panic stop without the panic.
 

As promised I did a panic stop test this afternoon. I fully opened the cup holder (both) and put a full 20 oz. bottle of water in the front holder. Then, driving at 60 mph I jammed the brakes on as hard as I could with my wife serving as the observer. She reported that the bottle barely moved.

velcro

Nice! I just drink from a bottle if I ever take a drink in the car.

Looks like you keep a nice clean interior. I can see why you want those cup holders...don't want to be making any mess in there, as well!

Can you guys confirm if those Fischer cup holders fit the same way in a w123?

I have a single one in my '83 240D. It will do two, but just did the one. They are nice cup holders, I think. They don't bind-up after time, as well. I have always thought the mechanism is very neat & durable.

So it's been awhile, cupholders still working out for you? the double set up seems great.

I have the same holders, fixed them to the door with screws.
My car was originally fitted with manual windows, so the cup holders cover the hole nicely.
Have them for 10 years now, still working great.

Rob

Still happy!
 

Yep, they are still great. Unobtrusive when not needed, convienent when they are. Best of all no holes made anywhere, and I can tranfer it to a different car in the future.

I went to advance auto and for like 8 bucks I bought this

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcs...8_pri_larg.jpg


Put this and some material into the map pocket of the driver door. Rock solid.

Check out the cupholders on this 300E I found on You Tube. Do you think it came with these as an updgrade?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYgDJTCoR0E

I could not listen to this fool...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYgDJTCoR0E
 

After he said the "Parts were cheap".
(Much less a "WhiteBread" half talking like he grew up in Harlem.)

Cup holder was the first thing I noticed I needed on the 300D. As I understand it, the German engineers really had a tough time wrapping their heads around why someone would want a cup holder in a car... since there they drive to drive and focus on driving.

My rover suffer the same issue, the stock cup holder is all but unusable. I have been looking at the same solution used in the rover for the 300D, not sure it would fit though.

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-6477-genuine-cup-holder-kit-beige-discovery-i-ii.aspx

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/ima...rge/RND490.JPG

That is a nice one! I like it. Wish I could find one to fit my 300.

I would love to modify the dash for a pop out one I saw on some newer cars. They are vertical when put away and plush with the dash. About 1/2" wide, 5" tall. Press and it comes out and turns horizontal.

Ah... here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYQi5KlDMsc

That is a masterpiece of a cupholder mechanism on that SAAB! Why couldn't MB do something like that? Were there no coffee shops in Germany or Fast Food restaurants over there in the 80's?

Cup holder
 

I know this thresd is old, but I researched this idea for a very long time. here is my approuch for a cup holder

cool idea but i've had the wood fascia on my ashtray fall off before with nothing hanging on it.....:eek:

On my 123 300CD I got a bicycle nylon bag that had a plastic cup holder in it. Removed the cup holder and had an upolstery shop cut out the foam in the center fold down arm rest. I installed the holder and secured it in the armrest with black RTV. The cup holder had a plastic ring around the holder about an inch wide that covered the cut vinyl.

W123 cupholder
 

There are handmade custom cupholders for sale on ebay with a zebra wood veneer that fit perfectly in the pocket under the armrest on the W123. it does not have the thick polyurethane gloss as the original trim but it still matches up nicely with the existing trim. 1977 1985 Mercedes Benz W123 Zebra Wood Center Console Cup Holder | eBay

After 25 years I finally found the perfect holder to accomodate the big Starbucks ice tea glasses and coffee thermo-mugs my wife likes. Probably not for everyone, but......

I was in Walmart looking over the cheapie cup holders just for ideas, and I found a little flexible "cup" from Rubbermaid made from really nice, thick black rip-stop nylon, like the high-end Tumi luggage. Designed as a cell phone/sunglass holder, It has a fairly rigid top, and a little loop to attach it. I basically set it on the floor in front of the passenger seat, and attached it to the side of the center console carpeting with a couple of chrome sheet-metal screws. Zero permanent impact if I ever want to remove it.
Sounds hokey, but is virtually unnoticeable down there, zero interference with the passenger legs/feet, and very easily reachable by the driver. Holds everything from a coffee thermo-mug to a big gulp perfectly. She's so happy with it, I got another one to put in the Caddy Wagon.

DG

the problem starts with the definition of "cup"

imagine someone buys the extra large big gulp and puts it in that holder, it will probably break and empty itself over the centre console and shifter OR it will spill the drink whilst turning too fast.

I think the europeans just used a regular small paper/foam cup as scale. They didnt know that people would start perching entire jugs full of liquid on it.

btw - I think its against the law to drink or eat anything in your car whilst driving.