W168 Arm Rest Retrofit Project

[area51]

I think that the armrest itself is identical pre/post facelift. The side trims and centre console were [I believe] changed [along with most of the interior] with the facelift.

Having said this, I would like to try fitting the side trims with the cupholder to my car.

 

[vkats]

hi,
did you remove the handbrake cover ? and if so how did you manage to do it? i cannot remove the console without removing the handbrake caver

thanks
vassilis

 

[rubbergrape]

Vassilis,
I didnt remove the console. I lifted the back end and slid the bracket in from the rear.

I tried to remove it, i removed the handbrake cover (handle) you need to lever out one of the pin covers on the side of the cover, you will need to dig in there and will damage it. you can then push the pin out, and the cover slides off forwards.

However, this will not enable you to remove the centre console, it wouldnt lift over the handbrake, so i gave up and found, after removing the seats, i could lift the console and slide the bracket in as per the picture / description.

hope that helps.

 

[vkats]

thanks for the info. finally that was not the problem; the problem with my car is that there is the need to drill the floor as there is no holes for the bolts! it is quite strange, but true ! thanks anyway, i managed to get out the console by having removed the seats and twist out (if i say it right!) the console. Now i need all the luck i can get to drill correctly the floor !! cross your fingers !

 

[wraggy]

thanks for the info. finally that was not the problem; the problem with my car is that there is the need to drill the floor as there is no holes for the bolts! it is quite strange, but true ! thanks anyway, i managed to get out the console by having removed the seats and twist out (if i say it right!) the console. Now i need all the luck i can get to drill correctly the floor !! cross your fingers !

Hi,
Did you manage to drill the floor ok ?
Just got a armrest for mine and ringing up for the bracket and screws hope mine has the holes in the floor already
I have a 2003 A210 Black Evolution
Any further help would be great members
Thanks

Wraggy

 

[area51]

Hi,
Did you manage to drill the floor ok ?
Just got a armrest for mine and ringing up for the bracket and screws hope mine has the holes in the floor already
I have a 2003 A210 Black Evolution
Any further help would be great members
Thanks

Wraggy

I believe that it was only the very early A-classes that didn't have the threaded fixing points for the armrest mounting bracket, so yours should be ok Wraggy.

If you remove the cupholder currently fitted to your centre console (single securing screw under the little plastic mat thing), then you will just be able to see one or two of the threaded holes quite close to the edge of the carpet.


Hope this helps,
Chris

 

[wraggy]

I believe that it was only the very early A-classes that didn't have the threaded fixing points for the armrest mounting bracket, so yours should be ok Wraggy.

If you remove the cupholder currently fitted to your centre console (single securing screw under the little plastic mat thing), then you will just be able to see one or two of the threaded holes quite close to the edge of the carpet.


Hope this helps,
Chris

Thanks for that Chris
Do you think it can be fitted without removing the drivers seat

Wraggy

 

[wraggy]

Just had a quick look and not sure if there are any holes pre drilled for the bracket
Maybe because mine is the a210 would some of them have had a armrest ?
if there are no holes thinking of fixing it to the floor with those screws that have the drill bit on
Only other problem would be getting it in the exact place
Hope i am wrong about the holes when i get round to doing it

How easy is it to remove the front seats ?????????????????????

Thanks members

 

[area51]

Wraggy, you might need to lift the edge of the carpet where it is tucked under the centre console to see the fixing points for the armrest.

I don't know if any A210's had armrests fitted, certainly all the cars that I've seen did not have one.

The holes (if not present on your car) do need to be drilled with some accuracy otherwise the side trims for the armrest probably won't line up with the back of the centre console. One way of achieving this would be to make a paper/card template using a vehicle at your nearest Mercedes scrap yard ?

Removing the front seats is quite easy. Be sure to remove the headrests first as this makes the seat easier to manoeuvre through the door opening. The seats are quite heavy so take your time with this, don't want to rush and damage your car!

The drivers' seat is held by 4 torx bolts. The passenger seat on my car is the removable type, if yours isn't then this will also be secured in the same manner.

Unfortunately,the seats do need to be removed in order to lift up the centre console. The carpet also needs to be lifted slightly in order to fit and secure the armrest mounting bracket.

Chris

 

[wraggy]

Some very good info chris thanks
Will get myself a torx set
Have ordered the bracket and fixings from my merc dealer today £46 inc the P&P
and just won the armrest off Ebay as new £22.50 in slate grey
so not to bad,
Just sold my c class coupe and got the 210 used to own a a140 before the coupe i do love the shape but very hard ride
the a210 is quite fast and looks good in black it has the full sunroof,parking sensors etc

Wraggy