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Drink Holder Console Swap - Full instructions

If anyone is wanting to swap their 2017 style front console for a 2018 type with cup/drink holders then this is how you do it. Usual disclaimers... you may break things and void warranties and such.

Parts Needed...
B68038000006.170809.png

Not a lot of parts are actually needed... whilst the above looks complicated it covers every option so you have to be carful when ordering as there are multiple types.

I have made it easy as here are the actual parts needed including the actual EU part numbers:

400 A4476800631 Console
420 A2056800691 Cup Holders
430 A2056830291 Storage Tray
440 A4476891200 Insert
500 A4476890400 Cover Plate

Now the below items are optional... explanation later...
550 A4476890411 Mounting Bracket
580 N000000000815 Tapping Screws 2 off in pack

All the above will cost around £220.

mp1.jpg

And arrives in a big box!

First step... remove your auxiliary console

Use a flat blade screwdriver to carefully lever the console out at either side...



Just one cable to unclip...
mpa.jpg

Now lever off the two cover plates holding the console in on either side in the footwells and remove the torx screws... keep the covers and the screws for later you will need them for the new console.

The console should now easily slide forward but will be held by two cables the 12v socket cable and the media unit cable. put your hands inside the back of the console and unclip the cables. the 12v socket cable is awkward as it unclips pulling upwards rather than backwards. once the cables are unclipped the old console can be removed.

Remove the media unit and 12v socket (very tight) and place to one side for later with the aux console two cover plates and two torx screws.

mp4.jpg

You now need to remove the old bracket held by two bolts.
mp5.jpg

Now you have a choice... remember I said some parts were optional... well the front bracket would noe be installed in place of the old bracket... however it's installation requires the cutting of the carpet and underlay which is very thick. As the new console is already firmly held at the back and middle you can forgo installing the front bracket. I did not install it and my console is rock solid.

Prepare the new console, you first need to drill a hole in the bottom of your new console around 20-25mm for the cable to the aux control panel to pass through:

mpb.jpg

Then turn it over and thread some wire or similar through the media hole, 12v socket hole and their respective side ports to help pull the cables back through:

You need to ensure that the 12v cable and the media unit cable are untangled and routed around the vent pipes left and right in order to give them as much length as possible. If you don't route the cables around each the side of the roller unit the cables will obstruct the roller door from opening fully. Slide the console into place and pull the three cables through their respective holes. You can now fit the torx screws and cover plates. The rubber inserts can be placed in the bottom of the console and the drinks holder clipped into place. Route the cable for the Aux console that came through the hole you drilled to exit the rubber mat via the pull tab as there is a space there. Clip the blanking plate into the centre hole (don't screw this in from behind as if you ever want to remove the console in the future it makes it easier to unclip the cables using the central hole. You can now reattach the media unit cable and clip it back in with the SD card slot at the top.

It should now look like this:

mp9.jpg

Next is where you have to get creative as although the control units are identical in the cars with the fitted drinks holders the bracket that mounts the control unit is factory mounted to the later console and not available by itself. So you can either buy a new console 780 Euros or use a bit of imagination.

I opted for the latter!

Cut the following shapes out of 3mm, Ply, MDF or hardboard. and glue to form a box.

mp10.jpg

Check the fit... round off all the edges and spray black or cover in vinyl.

mpc.jpg

It should be a tight fit especially if covered in vinyl and friction should keep it in place. If it is a little loose some double sided foam tape or velcro will hold it at the bottom.

mpd.jpg

Looks just like the factory fit! :)

Hope this may help anyone attempting the same.
 

askho

Member
That looks really complicated. A very good result, though. Well done.
I thought your dealer agreed to fit it for you for free when you ordered the console through them.
 
That looks really complicated. A very good result, though. Well done.
I thought your dealer agreed to fit it for you for free when you ordered the console through them.
They Did... but then were told they couldn't by the management! but agreed to supplying the parts free!
 

SteveR

Active Member
I have a 2019 so already have the cup holder console but nevertheless, great write up. Thank you - appreciated
 

Deivo

New Member
I found the reference number for the bracket of the Westfalia control unit and is a MB number, maybe is possible to order it.

A4476801503
Westfalia control unit mounting bracket.png
 

Graham

Member
I like the box askho. Do you mind if I ask where you got it?

I have the 2018 model with cupholders, but that area always just has maps and 'stuff' lying about and getting stood on! This looks like a great tidy solution.

Thanks.
 

askho

Member
I like the box askho. Do you mind if I ask where you got it?

I have the 2018 model with cupholders, but that area always just has maps and 'stuff' lying about and getting stood on! This looks like a great tidy solution.

Thanks.
It's actually a bin from Ikea. It fits perfectly in the gap. I have the lid opening from the back so you can easily drop rubbish into it from the kitchen area. I think the cup holder was from Amazon, if I remember right.
 

Philmop

New Member
Hi all,
Having an early Marco without the drink holders between the front seats got me thinking at the weekend. Aside from Marco Polos I also have a bit of a fetish for Land Rover Defenders. So.... when doing a genaral garage tidy up I uncovered a Defender 'centre tray' that sits betwen the front seats. One look and I reckoned it may be a close fit.... on closer inspection it is a PERFECT FIT !!! No bolt down required, it is a snug fit.. A little bit of lining the drawers and cup holders with left over Land Rover carpet... and Bob's your uncle ! Looks like it always has been there! One last upgrade ordered today is a 44mm Merc bonnet badge ( for <£10) that will hide the faint Land Rover logo embosed in the plastic nearest the front.
The biggest benefit is that both front seats swivel perfectly with this in place
So the cost of the upgrade ?? To me so far nothing.. I had the Land Rover part...... to you... look on ebay and you can buy a tray for arounf £20. No tools required.... 10 seconds labour to fit... no squeaks or rattles.... seats spin around... and add a Merc badge for £10 if you're a snob like me :cool:
Job done !20201116_121333.jpg
 

Paul Mac

New Member
Just done this mod and a massive thanks to David Tsang for the write up, few observations for posterity, got the bracket for the controller as per Deivo's post (290 on the Westfalia drawing) and it fits perfect in the slot with a couple of self tappers. However Davids wooden one would do just as well.

Also i ordered all the bits including the floor bracket part No 550 on the drawing which as i had it i used, if you use this it bolts to the back stud i.e the one nearest the engine, so you need to drill a hole in the new plastic bracket for the front stud to clear, once you have it roughly in place use some masking tape to mark the carpet out and you'll need tin snips to cut the carpet its backed with plastic and very tough. Pop a short self tapper in the front hole, use some silicone to stop any rust from underneath, dont go mad with the drill as there is something underneath (dont know what) but there is enough room if you're carefull.

Another tip dont put the 12v socket in until you have all the cables in, if you do you'll be taking everything back off again to get the socket out as its imposible to get to.
 
M

Merlyn

New Member
VIP Member
For anyone wanting to do this modification, I am about to list most parts required (brand new) including a brand new front carpet.
 

Paul Mac

New Member
Hi Merlyn, have you got the parts list now ?
Bit confused here mate, all the parts are listed on this post, just my personal opinion but buying a brand new carpet is insane for a) whatever insane amount MB charge for one and b) it literally took 5 minutes with a cheap pair of tin snips to cut out the carpet and c) the amount of work it will take to fit. Once done no one will ever know you chopped a lump out of the carpet as its all hidden under the holder. Would strongly recommend using the floor bracket (550) as this pulls everything down snug and really makes it a factory fit.
 

SteveR

Active Member
Bit confused here mate, all the parts are listed on this post, just my personal opinion but buying a brand new carpet is insane for a) whatever insane amount MB charge for one and b) it literally took 5 minutes with a cheap pair of tin snips to cut out the carpet and c) the amount of work it will take to fit. Once done no one will ever know you chopped a lump out of the carpet as its all hidden under the holder. Would strongly recommend using the floor bracket (550) as this pulls everything down snug and really makes it a factory fit.
I'm confused too Paul but I think Merlyn might mean he may be listing to sell the parts perhaps?? He has advertised a carpet
 

Andofire

New Member
If anyone is wanting to swap their 2017 style front console for a 2018 type with cup/drink holders then this is how you do it. Usual disclaimers... you may break things and void warranties and such.

Parts Needed...
View attachment 555

Not a lot of parts are actually needed... whilst the above looks complicated it covers every option so you have to be carful when ordering as there are multiple types.

I have made it easy as here are the actual parts needed including the actual EU part numbers:

400 A4476800631 Console
420 A2056800691 Cup Holders
430 A2056830291 Storage Tray
440 A4476891200 Insert
500 A4476890400 Cover Plate

Now the below items are optional... explanation later...
550 A4476890411 Mounting Bracket
580 N000000000815 Tapping Screws 2 off in pack

All the above will cost around £220.

View attachment 570

And arrives in a big box!

First step... remove your auxiliary console

Use a flat blade screwdriver to carefully lever the console out at either side...



Just one cable to unclip...
View attachment 565

Now lever off the two cover plates holding the console in on either side in the footwells and remove the torx screws... keep the covers and the screws for later you will need them for the new console.

The console should now easily slide forward but will be held by two cables the 12v socket cable and the media unit cable. put your hands inside the back of the console and unclip the cables. the 12v socket cable is awkward as it unclips pulling upwards rather than backwards. once the cables are unclipped the old console can be removed.

Remove the media unit and 12v socket (very tight) and place to one side for later with the aux console two cover plates and two torx screws.

View attachment 559

You now need to remove the old bracket held by two bolts.
View attachment 560

Now you have a choice... remember I said some parts were optional... well the front bracket would noe be installed in place of the old bracket... however it's installation requires the cutting of the carpet and underlay which is very thick. As the new console is already firmly held at the back and middle you can forgo installing the front bracket. I did not install it and my console is rock solid.

Prepare the new console, you first need to drill a hole in the bottom of your new console around 20-25mm for the cable to the aux control panel to pass through:

View attachment 566

Then turn it over and thread some wire or similar through the media hole, 12v socket hole and their respective side ports to help pull the cables back through:

You need to ensure that the 12v cable and the media unit cable are untangled and routed around the vent pipes left and right in order to give them as much length as possible. If you don't route the cables around each the side of the roller unit the cables will obstruct the roller door from opening fully. Slide the console into place and pull the three cables through their respective holes. You can now fit the torx screws and cover plates. The rubber inserts can be placed in the bottom of the console and the drinks holder clipped into place. Route the cable for the Aux console that came through the hole you drilled to exit the rubber mat via the pull tab as there is a space there. Clip the blanking plate into the centre hole (don't screw this in from behind as if you ever want to remove the console in the future it makes it easier to unclip the cables using the central hole. You can now reattach the media unit cable and clip it back in with the SD card slot at the top.

It should now look like this:

View attachment 564

Next is where you have to get creative as although the control units are identical in the cars with the fitted drinks holders the bracket that mounts the control unit is factory mounted to the later console and not available by itself. So you can either buy a new console 780 Euros or use a bit of imagination.

I opted for the latter!

Cut the following shapes out of 3mm, Ply, MDF or hardboard. and glue to form a box.

View attachment 567

Check the fit... round off all the edges and spray black or cover in vinyl.

View attachment 568

It should be a tight fit especially if covered in vinyl and friction should keep it in place. If it is a little loose some double sided foam tape or velcro will hold it at the bottom.

View attachment 569

Looks just like the factory fit! :)

Hope this may help anyone attempting the same.
Just ordered... blimey gone up up a bit.. but thanks .. £371!!
 
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