R171 Facelift SLK280 2008, Open Centre Storage Bin - HOW??

[Chrishazle]

First of no doubt many questions with the new toy, in between the seats is a storage bin where supposedly the UHI connector hides, it has recesses either side that look like they're for lifting the lid, no release buttons (like on my 204) anywhere. The manual mentions it's operated by the lock/unlock buttons on the dash either side of the hazards switch, tried that but still can't get the lid to lift.

What am I doing wrong??

 

[Uncle Benz]

It's a strange old cookie. It opens to the side, but can open either way. Press in one button that is in the recess and gently lift the lid towards the opposite side. And vice versa from the other side. It can also open from the front for the deeper compartment, straight back and up, you just lift it up at the front, nothing to press. The lid mechanism is fragile, I've seen plenty of broken ones.

 

[Blobcat]

In my R171 it pulls up from either side, it's pretty hard but it opens. It's only one compartment on mine

 

[Chrishazle]

Thankyou gentlemen, I knew I'd get good answers on here. I tried to find buttons in the recesses but was trying to lift up and back rather than to the side, will try that tomorrow. To open from the front do you have to push the lid towards the rear a little before lifting, not completely clear from UB's post above. As there's supposed to be a UHI connector in there, I wonder if mine will be single compartment or whether the UHI will be in the bottom leaving the top area useable for herself's junk!

 

[davidsl500]

It's a strange old cookie. It opens to the side, but can open either way. Press in one button that is in the recess and gently lift the lid towards the opposite side. And vice versa from the other side. It can also open from the front for the deeper compartment, straight back and up, you just lift it up at the front, nothing to press. The lid mechanism is fragile, I've seen plenty of broken ones.

Storage compartment hinges / locks broken is a common problem on SLK's because many people put their elbow on them and then the weight of their body to adjust their sitting position getting in. Mine was broken on the R172 when I bought it and the dealer said they fixed loads because people put their whole weight on their elbow when resting it on the lid.

 

[Chrishazle]

Not just SLK's David - I leant across the 968 in her garage and put my weight on the centre console storage box lid, buggered the hinge! I just need to find my way into the box!!

 

[LostKiwi]

I lean on the 129 cubby all the time...
But that's proper engineering....

 

[00slk]

It's a strange old cookie. It opens to the side, but can open either way. Press in one button that is in the recess and gently lift the lid towards the opposite side. And vice versa from the other side. It can also open from the front for the deeper compartment, straight back and up, you just lift it up at the front, nothing to press. The lid mechanism is fragile, I've seen plenty of broken ones.

Blimey, you learn something everyday on here, I never knew it opened sideways. We struggled with ours when we got it and after trying a good swift yank up it revealed a storage compartment. (hinges still working too) I'll have to have another play one day.

 

[Chrishazle]

BF&BI wins the day! Hand in the NS recess, pull slightly towards OS and hard pull up and it opened, only appears to be hinged at the back not at the sides, and 1 deep storage compartment with no UHI connector. Data sheet shows option 518 Universal Communications Interface, must check the glove box, have that in the S204 and it's an Ipod connector (thus useless). Comand bluetooth seems pretty good though, picks up my phone as soon as I'm in the car. Amusingly, car is currently parked in front of my study, phone is on my desk and Comand picks up the phone soon as I put the key in the ignition!

 

[Blobcat]

BF&BI wins the day! Hand in the NS recess, pull slightly towards OS and hard pull up and it opened, only appears to be hinged at the back not at the sides, and 1 deep storage compartment with no UHI connector. Data sheet shows option 518 Universal Communications Interface, must check the glove box, have that in the S204 and it's an Ipod connector (thus useless). Comand bluetooth seems pretty good though, picks up my phone as soon as I'm in the car. Amusingly, car is currently parked in front of my study, phone is on my desk and Comand picks up the phone soon as I put the key in the ignition!

Same as mine, UHI in the glove box, I have a 160GB Ipod in there

 

[Chrishazle]

Yes, UCI in glove box - and glove box light not working, another job! Doubt I'll use it, especially as a set of 3 leads (crossovers to iPhone/Ipod, USB and 3.5mm jack are £70!).

 

[JBell]

Yes, UCI in glove box - and glove box light not working, another job! Doubt I'll use it, especially as a set of 3 leads (crossovers to iPhone/Ipod, USB and 3.5mm jack are £70!).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes...210901?hash=item1f054233d5:g:L0kAAOSwCgldqDWx

 

[Chrishazle]

Thanks JB, hope no-one else bids for them! Auction ends before 10am tomorrow so will soon find out!

 

[Blobcat]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes...210901?hash=item1f054233d5:g:L0kAAOSwCgldqDWx

I could do with the 3.5mm jack version, thanks for posting that.

Thanks JB, hope no-one else bids for them! Auction ends before 10am tomorrow so will soon find out!

I'm not bidding against you

 

[Chrishazle]

There are a few others on eBay :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sis.html..._id=133232210901&_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2658 - 6 pages for you to scroll through, lots of dross but a number of either full sets or single leads.

 

[Blobcat]

Just bought the 3.5mm Interface Socket Lead for £5.49 delivered
No more DAB drop out from the the FM transmitter for me

 

[Chrishazle]

My set of 3 arrived this morning - £13.88 delivered, and they look brand new.

 

[00slk]

I found some leads in our centre console

 

[Chrishazle]

You're lucky - nothing in either storage bin in ours, whereas the guy that gets my 968 cab gets some spare fog/driving/headlight bulbs (no use to me with either MB!) + Renovo colourant and waterproofer!

 

[Blobcat]

I found some leads in our centre console

That could / should be a new thread “What have you found in a car you’ve bought”