Peter,

Obviously the designs on US & UK specs are different.
To remove the passenage air vent, I don't need to remove the glovebox. I only need to remove the side panel, the narrow trim that goes all the way across the top of the vent/glovebox and then the 2 screws on top of the air vent ( exposed once the trim is removed). Please see previous posting on the removal of the side air vent procedure on a UK spec'd 1998 W210 elegance.
I had the centre thumbwheel light bulb changed by an independant Merc specialist. I didn't get the chance to tape the procedure and they only charged me £10. They roughly told me that they need to remove the centre console trim to get to the 2 screws below the air vents and behind the centre wood trim.

Hope this help.

David.