Want a cubby bin to replace "pop-out" cassette holders - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-21-2001, 10:17 AM

My "new-to-me" car (190E 2.6, 1990) has the six cassette tape holders in the center console right above the radio. I don't listen to tapes and it seems like a waste of valuable real estate. Anyone heard of a storage bin or "cubby" to replace those tape holders? One with a lid would be great, but even an open bin would be nice. If nothing's available commercially, I'm thinking of bending up some black powdercoated sheet aluminum and making one myself.

Ideas? Thanks!

#2 06-24-2001, 01:28 AM

Anyone seen anything like this or am I out in left field? Bueller?

Thanks

Dave

JCE · #3 06-24-2001, 02:34 AM

We have the 'pop out' holders on my wife's new-to-her 98 C230. I noticed in the brochure that the Sport version has a bin in place of the holders. I don't know if it will adapt to your 190, but I think I am going to loose the pop-outs real quick!

Also, Crutchfield supplied a nice plastic bin for our Toyota Celica when we replaced the double DIN factory stereo with a single DIN Kenwood. You might see if they have a bin that would work.

#4 06-26-2001, 06:02 PM

Well, I found a couple sources for Fischer CBox storage modules (the OEM supplier for the cassette drawers) that would allow conversion of the cassette holder into a 4 drawer CD holder:

http://www.vehiclecontrols.com/html/cassette___cd_holders.html

http://pages.prodigy.com/DPBJ59A/jtmpage.htm

But what I really wanted was a storage area for miscellaneous items. Here's what I decided to do. I removed the cassette boxes and I'm going to bend up a cubby box out of black anodized sheet aluminum. There's a lot of depth back there -- I'm going to make it 8 inches deep. I'll line it with black adhesive-backed felt and I'll attach it to the top of the radio shelf with double-sided foam tape. The only downside? No lid.

Will post pictures when it's done if anyone's interested.

Dave

David C Klasse · #5 06-26-2001, 06:45 PM

When I first got the C280, it had the cassette holders too. But the 96 and later C-classes had the storage pocket there. I went to the dealer, bought the pocket ($11), and it fit perfectly, but that's because it was the same model and all. That is too bad the 190s never had a little pocket. My storage bin where the cupholders are now was able to retrofit the new cupholders of the 96 and newer C-classes also. It was all too easy!
I'm sorry to hear it was a little harder for you, but I would really like to see the pix when you are done with it!

JCE · #6 06-26-2001, 07:23 PM

After taking out the 2 screws that held in the top of the cassette trays, what is the trick to removing it from the bottom where it mates with the ash tray? The top moves freely, but the bottom wants to move the whole ash tray wood assembly, and I can't find any release mechanism. The new bin doesn't show any screw holes at the bottom, just some clips in the middle at the back and bottom of the bin. I assume the cassette tray is built the same way, but am reluctant to yank on it until it pops out until I know for sure how it is fastened. Thanks for any info!

David C Klasse · #7 06-26-2001, 08:48 PM

John,
Did they make a storage pocket that you are installing?
Or aare you talking about the new C230? If so, don't you already have the storage pocket?
After you have removed the 2 screws, you just have to kind of pull in different ways, it's held on by guide rails that are rather tricky. But just kind of work with it and they should come out.
If you can't get it out, there is another way, more involved, but they come out easier.

JCE · #8 06-26-2001, 08:57 PM

David:

I got it done - it was a B!^@h to do! There were 2 plastic tension clips at the bottom in back. I had to use a slide in shim to release them from the ash tray asembly. The cubby slid right in easily.

The old cassette holder disassembles. The trays come out of the face plate. I am going to save this face plate in case I ever install a Nak 6 disk in dash changer or signal processer. It looks like there is plenty of room in this area for a full DIN unit.

Thanks for your help!

David C Klasse · #9 06-26-2001, 09:00 PM

John,
There was a cassette holder on your 1998 C230? Or are you talking about the 300E... I'm lost!?

JCE · #10 06-26-2001, 09:06 PM

David: The cassette holder was in our 98 C230. Now it is a bin! (when it is full of stuff, will it be a Bin Laden

)?

David C Klasse · #11 06-27-2001, 12:56 AM

Hmm, I wonder if that was a special option or something... They stopped putting them in in 96, to my knowledge. In any event, how is the car doing? Have you purchased a storage pocket from the dealer yet?
How is the power on the 230 compared to your 300E?

#12 06-27-2001, 09:43 AM

Hmmm, you C-class guys, do your cassettes go in "wide" way or "narrow" way? In my 190E, the array of 6 cassette drawers is 210mm wide by 55mm high, and the cassettes go in the "wide" way (that is, the exposed tape faces the front of the car as opposed to one of the sides).

If yours is the same then I'd bet I could use your same MB bin. But, I think yours may be the narrow way, and I'll have to stick with my homemade plan.

If anyone could measure and report their opening, that would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

JCE · #13 06-27-2001, 11:29 AM

David F:

Car is doing great, thanks. 31 mpg on the first tank of combined city/hiway, with 20 minutes of 'row and go' on the freeway past the Del Mar Fair on opening day

. Only problems I have found are some nearly invisible door dimples on the passenger side, and one hit just below the belt line that is big enough to need a dent doctor. I picked up the bin at Laguna Niguel MB (wasn't listed on Fastlane

) for $12 and snapped it in yesterday.

Leise is already talking Lorinser D93 16x8 rims, sport shocks and sway bars, Sticky tires (The Goodyear Eagle LS ain't cutting it!), etc. She says it dives and rolls a little too much in corners for her tastes. But then, when you treat the corners like skid pads and ABS threshold tests, the car is going to roll and dive! When I took the car to the body shop they showed me a C36 they are repairing - the 4th time! The lady has wrecked it 4 times, for over $10,000 damage each time. I relayed this to Leise as incentive to slow it down a little. Her response? "Obviously that woman needs driving lessons if she can't control her car any better than that!"

Dave Avusblue:

The cassettes went in the narrow way. The opening in the cassette face plate is 5 11/32" X 2 3/32". The face plate is slightly wider at the top - dimensions are 8 1/8" top, 7 3/4" bottom, 2 5/8" tall

The interior dimensions of the new bin are about 7 1/4" X 2" X 3 1/2"

The new bin has a lip on it that protrudes into the passenger compartment about 1/2" that the retaining screws go through, but it looks easily removable.

MBenzNL · #14 07-02-2001, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JCE
when it is full of stuff, will it be a Bin Laden

If it is filled with stuff completely, you can get even a larger storage box to replace the ashtray!

greetingz,