...what kind of surgery would be involved with removing and replacing that small piece ahead of the cup holders that has the matte finish off? The car was delivered to me like that. Originally I thought it was just adhesive from the car being unwrapped or something. Went to remove it with water, then dawn soap and water, and nope...Wouldn't do anything with it.

In any case, not the absolute end of the world, but not ideal on a brand new car at this price. Starting to talk with the dealer about it, but I'm just curious if anyone has any knowledge around how that area of the car is put together. Surely the gear shift area would not need to be disturbed? I kinda wonder if the cup holders might just come out and that piece slides out or something. Just an initial guess (hope?) on my part.

Thanks in advance for any help on this...

Cheers

 

The cupholder insert just pulls straight out, I did that years ago, just takes a hefty yank straight up.
Dunno if or how this might help to remove the console lid though.

 

Okay, thanks man

 

I’ve never logged into this TOPIx stuff I keep hearing about, but if I did pay for a session on that system would this be the type of thing it would give me full detailed instructions on? i.e.: How to disassemble/reassemble that area?

I’m curious for general future considerations more than anything, if there was something like this that I wanted to take on myself…

 

Easy enough task to remove the centre console finisher around the cup holders. Don't think Topix will help, may be in workshop manual (available in HOW TO sticky).

Firstly the finisher sits both in front and behind the cup holder lid, see item 15 in pic below -



To remove -
1. With a pry tool release the side panels (8 & 9) in the vincinity of the cup holder. There are small lugs each side of the finisher, so leave a pry tool in each side to give enough clearance for the finisher to clear the side panels.
2. Open centre cubby arm rest lid.
3. Open the cup holder lid.
4. With a firm tug, lift the rear section of the finisher upwards (two panel clips hold it in place).
5. Slide the complete finisher to the rear and swing the the rear section upwards.

Now the bad news - Console Finisher part number T2R16116PVJ retails new at $426 (US), (Ł283 UK) , so it's going to be a search on Ebay for good condition replacement, or apply a trim covering to mask the damaged surface. Although my centre console trim was in good condition, I went for a mat carbon trim covering to blend in with the OEM matt carbon centre console/dash trim.

 

Yeah, I know, the cost is insane for something like that. The dealer is willing to “fix it” (just talked with them this morning), but so far that does not seem to involve replacing that part. It sounds like they are only willing to have a plastics specialist fix up what is there.

I have seen some of those “specialists” work some magic on some other vehicles I’ve owned. Classic scenario where I took my truck in to have a dealer address a problem upon delivery and they damage something else in the process (they damaged plastics that a specialist then fixed)…Story of my life, so I’m reluctant always to have dealers address things…Seriously, you would not believe my luck (bad) over the years with this sort of stuff…It’s crazy…One simple problem turns into many other problems sorta thing…It was pretty remarkable how they were able to fix up the plastics damage…It surprised me…They were pretty much like an artist…

In any case, I really appreciate you taking the time to give that explanation. As you said, there are some pretty nice looking trim covers available. Someone pointed that out to me in another thread. I was unaware. I’m starting to think I might just cut my losses and install a matte black cover vice risking having the dealer damage something else. In fact, with a trim cover in-hand I might first try to fix the problem myself by sanding the shiny area ever so slightly (i.e.: to hopefully re-enstate a matte look in the affected area and blend with the rest). If it doesn’t work out I throw the cover on. If in the future I don’t like my decision then I pony up for the part and install it myself. Pretty sure the part will be available…lol…After all, who would be insane enough to pay that much money for that part…lol

In all seriousness, the matte black trim cover that you can purchase almost looks better than the OEM parts to me. It’s not a terrible option. Everyone on here says that console area wears horribly anyway. I believe it. I’d probably end up getting it fixed by the dealer and scratch it a month later anyway…lol…No doubt, my luck;-0

 

don't know if you are interested in going this route, but many have found that denatured alcohol will remove the 'stickiness'... test on inconspicuous area, use a microfiber cloth with a popsicle stick inside to get in the crevice along the bottom.

 

In this particular case there is no stickiness. This is a 2024 R delivered very recently. What you see there is the matte finish having been abraided somehow by the dealer or something…Which lead to there being a shiny spot in the affected area…

 

On a brand new car???? if that's the case... dealer should make it right.

 

Yup, unfortunately. New doesn’t always mean perfect, at least in my experience with all my new cars…lol