Idea for W124 drink holders - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

suginami · #16 02-22-2003, 03:06 PM

Here is the thread that shows the cupholder from Griots Garage in my car:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=51734&highlight=cup

DavidB29 · #17 02-23-2003, 07:06 PM

Those (in photos posted by 95*E300) look real good! They appear to have another advantage: Won't alter the car in any way, so you or a later owner can remove them with no after-effects.
Plus, no issue about slamming the door causing spills.
And by the way, nice photos!

#18 02-23-2003, 07:28 PM

One little caveat, David. I did have to find a smooth based thermal mug to fit into them for coffee or cold drinks. While the holders work GREAT for 12oz canned drinks - it takes a special mug with a smooth wall so it does not hang up on the little flip-style tensioner that keeps the can or mug snugly in place.

Thanks for the complement on the photos - also you can easily remove the cup holders and I have found the E-Class vent louvers more than strong enough to handle a full drink.

These are sold under the Cobb name and are made by Bell. I love them - they don't rattle (or hum!) and the air blows through them when they are empty. With a drink in the cups the air flow helps chill or heat the drink at no charge.

Mike

Robert W. Roe · #19 02-23-2003, 09:49 PM

I just found these cupholders at Target myself, $4.99 each! I haven't installed them yet. Nice pics, BTW.
One question, is there a danger of the passenger's knee bumping them entering or exiting the vehicle?
They don't look real easy to remove and reinstall, well ok, a couple of plastic nuts and a sleeve that goes around the lower louver.

#20 02-23-2003, 10:18 PM

Robert I didn't have any problem with knee bump - but my wife is not long-legged either. A six foot passenger got in this afternoon and didn't even come close to "kneeing" it so I think it's a safe option.

To take this unit off you remove the cupholder and then fully unscrew the keepers - then push forward and disengage the hook from the louver. It took a couple of sessions as I first hooked them on the upper louvers and found that unacceptable. Only place is the bottom or next-to-the-bottom louvers so the adjustable bumper can rest on the dash face.

Robert W. Roe · #21 02-24-2003, 10:32 PM

Just one more question for Mike.... can you still move the louvers up and down with the cupholders attached? I haven't put them in yet. Other than that, they seem like an ideal solution: no holes, cheap, and removable. Thanks for the tip.

#22 02-24-2003, 11:44 PM

Robert the side-to-side louver movement is very good - from "in your face" wind to side glass no problem!

Up and down are limited but I found the coverage to be good in the neutral position - the place where the vents want to be with the holders in place. This is a compromise but small payment for having some real cup holders in an MBZ!

Don't be afraid to install them and experiment - you can remove them easily enough and they don't mar the vents in any way I can see.

Mike

mbtjc · #23 02-26-2003, 09:09 PM

It must be an American thing...that's why German cars never used to have cup holders in them and if I'm correct, Porsches still don't. For some reason, people on this side of the pond always find it imperative to have something to drink and/or eat with them in the car! I lived in Germany for 7 years and when people drive over there, that's what they do...drive! When you're going 100+ on the Autobahn, holding a drink could prove fatal. I realize we travel at much slower speeds over here, but still yet, this is truly an American phenomenon. In Europe (or at least in Germany) there's a time to dine, and there's a time to drive. Sounds logical to me. I'm not being condescending here, I just think the differences are interesting and intriguing.

One more note: I detail cars as a side job, nice new cars too. Lexus, Acura and BMW to name a few. It absolutely leaves me dumbfounded when I clean these things and find crumbs, wrappers, sticky unidentifiable substances, spilled drinks etc strewn across the interiors of these expensive late model cars with no more than a few ten thousand miles on them. Under the seats, between the seats and the console, in all the buttons, in the shift gate, in all cracks imaginable, all ash trays packed... The interiors of these things are just barely short of destroyed. If someone spilled something in their home, it would be reasonable to immediately clean it up right? And most people do. Then how is a $40,000+ luxury car any different?? Now comes the testament as to why people should leave drinks and food out of cars, esp. nice ones! My car has almost 170,000 miles on it and is 17 years old. It has never in its life has it had food or drinks comsumed in it and I can tell you that the interior of the car including all carpet looks absolutely showroom perfect. M-i-n-t condition. No exaggeration here.

I wonder if there is a tie here to the increasing epidemic of obesity in America...hmm. I read that at the rate we are moving, in a few short years 40% of Americans will be obese...not overweight...obese! Whatever happened to 3 meals a day? Why now just one stretched out day long meal?

I guess I just don't get it

#24 02-26-2003, 10:56 PM

My sister said the same thing after spending many years in Germany - Germans eat in restaurants and roadside eaterys and they drive in cars. But they are German and I am an American who likes to drink coffee on trips.

I agree - crumbs are a nuisance and unsightly - but every person has a Constitutional Right to eat in their car and get as BIG as they like so I let them if that is what they want to do. Since Cell phone usage while driving is under attack - I wonder how long Congress will let us eat and drive - they seem to enjoy micro-managing Americans.

My thoughts - German manufacturers need to be sensitive to the world market and put $%#@! cup holders in American exported autos! We pay the bills and we like to drive and drink (coffee).

mbtjc · #25 02-27-2003, 09:45 AM

Yes, they are German and you are American, I was just making light of the differences. Just personally, the German way makes more sense and is light years more friendly on cars...which my car is proof of! But again, that's just me. Of course every one has the right to do whatever they want in their cars. I think a thermo-mug full of coffee on the way to work is fine. From my detailing experience, drinking in cars is a lot more detrimental to eating. If you have a closed top thermo-mug, chances are nothing is going to happen. Eating however, it is almost inevitable that crumbs, wrappers, straws, unidentified chunks of sticky crap are going to get literally everywhere. If this was a rusted 89 Camry, fine, but it just amazes me how people overwhelmingly and purposefully neglect late model luxury cars. I've done a 2001 and a 2002 BMW 3 and 5 respectively.....absolutely trashed. Lexus RX300.....trashed. Acura RL and Integra....trashed. Volvo 850....trashed. Not as good, but still..VW New Beetle...trashed.

So I can understand a drink on the way to work or trips, but I don't understand how people can open mobile restaurants in their cars and then as if that wasn't bad enough, they don't give cleaning it up a second look...or any look at all.

#26 02-27-2003, 12:51 PM

Just be glad roaches haven't found out how to get into most cars!

When I bought this car used - I looked under the seats and found no crumbs but I did find eyeliner and lipstick paraphenalia!

Another subject for another thread...

Robert W. Roe · #27 03-12-2003, 07:03 AM

I mounted one of the cupholders of which 95E300 has the excellent pics. Just a couple caveats: make sure that the turn signal switch clears the cupholder with a right turn and the high beams on. This made the turn signal lever "tap" the cupholder.

Once or twice my hand has bumped it while reaching for a switch (turn signal? i forget)... Also my knee has gently touched it a couple times, but only entering the car.

For $5 it's a great solution. I almost want to put two more in the center vents, just for holding my cell phone etc etc. It's very nice for holding the phone while using the "earpiece" so as to keep both hands free while driving.

#28 03-12-2003, 08:04 AM

Now that makes two MBZ's so it is a *TESTED* concept. I guess my greatest problem was finding a nice smooth-based cup to fit them - 12 oz cans are the thing to shoot for when comparing. I found a nice stainless mug at Sam's Club in 3 packs that work great.

One other reminder - keep the drink holders as close to the center as possible so your drink doesn't brush the velour side moulding - might stain it - and again it may be "cleanable". Also, I didn't fully tighten them down on the louvers either so I could still move them side to side when I needed side window defogging.

Last thought - I have run my A/C (I'm in Texas and it hit 80 this last weekend). The holders let the cold air through fine - they will keep a 12oz drink chilly!

Robert W. Roe · #29 03-12-2003, 01:11 PM

The space is definitely tight in there. Too far to the left, and the handle on my new Target Hemisphere brand charcoal travel mug (on sale for $2.78, reg. 3.99) almost hit the rearview mirror adjuster, so I've learned to watch the orientation of the rather large padded handle on the travel mug if I place it into the cupholder while standing outside the car. I wouldn't want the mirror adjuster tap the mug or jar the cupholder. At least I don't have any holes in my door!

#30 03-12-2003, 01:22 PM

Robert,
I have deduced that you have a different model than I. I have tried to hit the cupholder with the signal/headlight beam stalk - but it doesn't come close. Also, I don't have to contend with the mirror adjustment knobs since it is (being electric by design) on the console. You must have a W123 as oppoesed to a 124 body???

I hope it continues to work for you in your particular auto. I never expected to find the solution at Target - real surprise.

Mike