Mercedes R107 SL - how to remove and refurb central console.

This is a short video giving some tips on how to remove the central console in an older R107 Mercedes 450SL. It’s very easy to break the plastic tabs if you don’t know the location of the hidden screws. There are two hidden screws underneath the blower slider trim pieces. On the older SL's the central console comes out as one entire piece, where as on the later 107 SL's, the carpeted pieces clip into the moulded plastic central console. On the older SL’s there are two plastic tabs down in the footwells which need to be undone before you can remove the console. You will also need to loosen or remove the handbrake if your car has one, and there are a couple of screws holding the handbrake cover trim in place down on the tunnel.

[@tonyg1773]

My pal is going to do exactly this job on my car tomorrow so this video has been really helpful. Thanks!

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment - hope it goes well. Mike

[@davidmckinney8741]

Nice one Mike. Much more confident tackling the centre console wood trim having seen you do it.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment...my new 'horribly expensive' trims just arrived and now I have to figure out how to attach them to the rear plastic panel. In my particular case its going to be complicated for a variety of reasons...watch this space! Mike

[@Nilfaultfound22]

Excellent Mike, thank you! We had a great time yesterday. Next time coffees are on me :)

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Good to meet you too and see your lovely 560SL. Mike

[@gsp3848]

Mike, Without this video I would have undoubtedly buggered it up. Thank you.. very much appreciated. Is it feasible to remove the wooden strips that run along the glove box and above the speakers without removing the dash?

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment - I just uploaded a video on fitting the dash trims without removing the dash. Mike

[@mericavids]

Cleaned up well

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thats what my wife says about me after a bath and putting on a suit. Mike

[@jonnybigpotato4263]

Thanks for this video Mike. I’m just about to take my console out of my 1974 450SLC while the seats are being re-trimmed. Have you seen a centre console covered in leather? Am thinking of that to match the leather as otherwise mine (cream) is going to have a lot of slightly different colours. Black has great advantages

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Hi -I have never seen a leather coloured console. Maybe a good trimmer can colour match/clean the existing console using chemicals? The downside of covering with leather is that it might put off a future buyer. Mike

[@umitakbey8187]

great job.

[@thebackground1707]

You think we can swap the middle control panel from a 450sl to a 560sl? I’d rather have all the buttons at the lower bottom so I can get a more modern radio unit

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for your comment. It might be possible - it just depends on how many buttons and what functions your 560 has. Mike

[@anthonylugo7809]

Mike, I just bought a 450sl. Any tips on filling in cracks in the center console? It's also missing a 1/4 piece from the top corner near glove box. Hoping to blend the cracks and find whatever vinyl paint will match the "Parchment" interior.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

Thanks for you comment. Do you mean cracks in the wood veneer or cracks in the vinyl? Is the quarter piece you have missing a trim piece through which the air vent slider goes? What colour is the interior? What country do you live in? Mike

[@anthonylugo7809]

@@MikesMercsandothercars Hairline Cracks along the center console on vinyl, the foam at the top right of center console was broken off, seems to have a bit of sun damage. The wood trim is also broken as well. I am in the US.

[@MikesMercsandothercars]

@@anthonylugo7809 Hello - I have not yet restored a cracked dash myself, but maybe the video below will give you some hints: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5q3h5mubsl9Z5I I have done a couple of videos on the wood veneer - how to restore and where to buy cost effectively: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5q3h5mubsl9Z5I kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYeynXSnbNlml7s Good luck with the resto. Mike