Does anybody know if there is a way to remove that dash-mounted, collapsable cup holder without removing a bunch of the center console or stereo? I would love to just have a little pocket there to store useful stuff like my glasses case. The thought of using that cup holder for an actual cup just scares me when I see what would be spilled on in the case of some sort of spirited maneuver.

I've heard that it's a big job to put that holder in, but I'm wondering if there is a simple trick to taking it OUT.

Thanks,

Darell

The S-80 came with a roll top type storage compartment that fits the space your cupholder occupys. It will fit your car. The cup holder is blocked by the climate control module. To access you need to remove the small panel in front of the shifter with the pen holder, pop off the trim panel around the shifter, remove two screws at bottom of climate unit, pull climate unit down a little. release the clips for the cup holder and slide it out. the clips are at top and bottom.

Hey, thanks for the tips Bob. Sounds like I might have been scratching my head a bit to figure that out.

- Darell

And if you use it as a cup holder once, you'll see why it is where it is: You can put a cup (w/lid) in there and have your hands back on the wheel in a fraction of a second. My glasses go in the seat bottom pocket--best pocket yet.

>>hands<<

plural? You need both hands to handle a drink? I've done fine with the cupholders that my 98 has in the center console bin. I just wish they were bigger and deeper. Although it has taught me to stop 'super-sizing'. I only need to take one hand off the wheel to get my drink and it can easily be done without taking my eyes off the road. I agree with the original poster that it seems like a very bad place to have the drink as it could easily spill over all the electronics. I see some hefty repair bills coming along. Or denial of warranty coverage. Plus, just imagine how many simple stains will cover those electronics, and then when something does go wrong and it's not due to spillage, how quickly Volvo will still blame spillage and thus not cover under warranty.

My driver's seat belt is no longer disengaging easily. I can just hear the service manager now telling me it's not under warranty as most likely I spilled something into it. I know I never have and looking into it, it's clean. I'm basing this statement on posts I've read from other owners whose seatbelt buckles have started having problems and Volvo has not covered under warranty.

Plus, why do two people up front need three cupholders?

pat

> Plus, why do two people up front need three cupholders?

Pat - You just wouldn't believe how many people ask me that very question.

- Darell

Pat,

Maybe sondagsakare uses both hands to prevent the "spillage" of his beverage... which is probably necessary since no hands are on the wheel ;)

Speaking of "spillage" - would it have been that difficult for Volvo to make the 2 center cupholders removable for cleaning???

BTW: Dealer tells me the pop-out cupholder is a "design feature" which is strategically located in front of the driver's vent to help keep the beverage hot or cold. Did not comment on "spillage" or warranty claims caused by it. I suppose they could have thrown in a free Volvo comuuter mug :) Oh... Dealer will probably tell you 3 is always better than 2! I use mine to hold my radar detector. The sales guy also told me you can fit 2 beverages on each of the side door trays for a grand total of...7 beverages for 2 people up front!!!

- Rob

Hey Rob -

Can you just imagine how easy it would be to wrestle a drink out of the door tray? Yikes.

- Darell

The semantics cut both ways: If you take a hand off the wheel to drink and then put a hand back on the wheel to drive, you have your "hands" back on the wheel in a fraction of a second. But you're right--who needs to hold three cups in front? Talk about "throwing in the kitchen sink"! Volvo might be competing with Saab; before I purchased the T5, I took and declined delivery of a 9/5 Aero wagon with a pop-out rotating nonadjustable cup holder on the far side of the center dash, even more of a spill risk and less of a feature.

Is not the center console one of the most personal and useful areas of your vehicle? Why don't makers recognize that and build in some configurability? My design for the V70 would include a flexible modular console that could accommodate various storage units--duh!

Actually, I think that center console is configurable, and just might be different in different regional markets. I've seen pictures of stock V70s with different stuff between the seats.

- Darell

Yup, I know it's convenient, but I'd still rather have the space than the googy holder.

-d

No, you have to remove the climate control face and then the cupholder itself. It is not a huge deal, you just have to use the reverse part of a plastic knife so you do not mark the plastic while you remove the face of the climate control unit. Then, the hardest part is unlocking the clips that support the cup holder unit. It takes me about 5 minutes or so, I have done it MANY times especially on S60s as many of them come without the cup holder (unless they have the Touring package) and for only $41 I can just install it myself (that is the part price, Service would charge me at least another $40 to do it themselves so I save the $$$ for my Department).

Yannis

Hmm. I actually got excited that this thread might be the answer to my problem and then realized you guys are talking about the NEW V70. I have a 1998 V70 with the cup holder in the center console. It's broken for the second time, seems to be a design that just wasn't intended to be used very often, especially with kids around. In any case, I'm wondering if anyone has advice on how to replace the cup holder assembly without replacing the whole armrest unit, and where to buy the part?

Thanks Yannis -

Wow! Five minutes?! I guess I will give it a shot. I guess it become pretty obvious where the clips are when you start prying up the face of the climate control? They're just friction clips right?

Thanks for the quick reply!

- Darell

Yes they are...and they are very obvious, once you take off the climate control face. The clips for the empty compartment (the part that you are taking out) are a pain in the a.s to pry...that will be your greatest challenge!

Yannis

I'm always up for a good challenge. Thanks for the confidence.

-d