D2 centre cubby hole/cup holder removal?
 

Help guys, had a look and can find access to one screw point near the gear leaver. But can't find any way to get to the other two on the other side. One high one low. Any suggestions?

Pictures attached

Thanks

Oh you're going to love this. Believe it or not, the whole centre console has to come out (or at least loose) so that you can detach and lift up the shifter surround, underneath which you will find those two missing screws http://www.corradov8.com/pics/banghead.gif

Armrests out, rear centre vents out, wood trim off, two bolts either side of the console at the rear by the seat backrests, driver's side lower dash off, both tunnel sides off, then you can get to the front bolts for the console and the two for the ashtray. With all that removed, two bolts holding the console to the shifter mech and two holding the shifter trim to the shifter mech (two each side). Finally, pull the centre console back half an inch and you'll see those two screws which were hidden under the shifter trim.

Good luck!

(I found an indicator which might work btw but keep forgetting to take a pic)

Given that the presumed objective is to replace the top cover is there any way of just swapping that over?
Most of those "wood" pieces are in fact painted metal by the way.

I'd be looking very carefully at the replacement to see how the "wood" fixes on; then aim to get the old one off (more damage to it will be inevitable) and then just put the replacement on with suitable adhesive.

I just looked at my spare and I reckon it should come off pretty easily without any damage.
It appears that there are a couple of spring clips on the underside near the outer edges on the long side opposite the catch.
These clips retain a couple of pegs that stick down from the cover. They can be opened from below with a screwdriver easily enough, but not with the unit installed!

I just freed up one of those on my spare by levering carefully from outside and it popped back in again afterwards; didn't dare try both!
My guess is that with those freed that edge can be lifted a few mm and the whole thing slid off.

Edit: Just popped both of the rear clips and lifted about 15 degrees, but there's something retaining the front edge still. I suspect some metal has been bent through the two small slots you can find in the plastic lid under the front edge. Brute force would probably deal with that!

Oh wow! Not too much work then, did not expect that!

HPsauce think I will probably look at your possibility then, yes you are correct. The idea to replace the top as some bright spark in the past has drilled three holes in it?!

The door switch inserts are printed metal. The rest of the wood is actual wood laminate over an aluminum substrate +++

Investigate your spare then, very cautiously.

I just can't see what's retaining the "front" edge, by which I mean the edge towards the driver, adjacent to the catch.
The "rear" edge will just pop up with gentle levering near the corners - look carefully to see where it's clipped in and lever near there.

It just wiggles off forwards, two tiny lugs on the front edge of the plastic lid engage in the metal base of the wood trim!
Obviously you need to press the button down to allow movement; photo to follow.

From memory there are a couple of wire springs holding one side in, and a couple of slots on the other side. If the back came out without a fight the springs are probably there, with the slots on the front. I'm sure you can see it with the piece out of the car. I'll have a look when I get back to the workshop.