W463 center console

Hi I presume this will be the part in the dash and not on the transmission tunnel? which it will be if it is earlier than 2002(ish). My guess is that it might be easier to remove the heater control area first as prizing the panel off from the side marks the soft dash surround - or at least it has on mine where they did it to fit and alarm and handsfree kit in the past. You may also need to get the top wood trim off as well as there may be a faster under that. I did take the top wood strip nearly off to remove the lands free kit, but could not get it off entirely as it seems to be secured behind the steering column and I have seen pictures of this trim on Ebay with a screw hole that would sit behind the steering column. I am sure others will advise more, but I will be doing this myself soon as my heater slide controls are vague to say the least, and whilst I have them off I was thinking of sprucing up the wood panel. If you have the little cubby hole next to the radio this easily comes out and you might be able to feel up behind the heater control to feel for any trim connectors. My experience of Merc connectors is they are really easy to take apart... as long as you have the right tool and know what you are looking for. Other wise they cling on for grim death, so it might be wise to wait for other views/experience - but I thought I would share what I know. I suspect it could make a massive difference which year of 463 you have. In my experience newer cars can be more complicated to de-trim without breaking trim parts Finally other than the issue with the top trim looking like it is held behind the steering column, it was held by simple pressure fittings into a plastic grommet so as long as you took your time and worked your way along a little at a time using ideally a trimmers tool, or failing that (no I don't have one - but I might get a set soon) use something like a thin plastic spatula to prize it off a little at a time starting at the glovebox - you will then at least be able to see it it is screwed on at the top - there were philips screws under the trim, or just cannot remember what they were holding. If I get to mine first I will share what I find Simon

That answers the question about the screws on the trim - Wonder why they went and did that, making you take the wheel off to get the trim off? One thing to mention is that if you have an airbag then I would not take the wheel off either at all, or unless you really know what you are doing. For example even with the battery being disconnected you can get residual charge that can - very unlikely - set the airbag off.. apparently. Best Simon