The dealer had 2 2005 CDIs. I sat in both and drove one. I have a couple of questions that I hope ya'll can help with.

1) There appears to be 2 different center consoles. One had a sliding top, the other had a padded top that was split in half. Why the difference and what does the split padded console do? It looks like this is nicer

2) in front of both center console is a cover that houses ???? There is an mechanism that says "open" on it, but both didn't do anything when pushed.

3) Being that this is the first CDI I've driven, the brakes seemed to be hard to push initially, for a gradual stop. With more pressure, they stopped great. Is the harder initial pressure normal?

Thanks in advance.

__________________
2005 E320 CDI - Totaled

2005 E-class vehicles have the brake-by-wire system (SBC), so it is much different than a normal vehicle would have and hence the weird feel.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

The different arm rest styles are due to a change from early to later versions in the chassis. Early version is the split in the middle, later is the push back wood.

Everything in my early style 2005 which has a small chromed bar indicates to push on the bar and there's a compartment hidden inside. In the console houses a 6 cd changer and 12 outlet/ashtray. Next to the glove box is a sunglass holder sized box which comes straight out. Next to the split armrest box is a drink holder. My padded top split box armrest holds a phone. I'm going to remove it and put a bluetooth unit there- they are sold on ebay and they are MB OEM units.