The swing-out cupholder on the B5? It's a pain. Shortly, you pry off the short trim piece at the left side, and the long trim piece on the part that swings out. On each side, there's a small slot giving access to a metal clip. You have to take a small screwdriver, poke it through the slot, and push the clip inward. Do one side, and angle it out; then do the other and pull. It's really hard to get ahold of the clip; I had to grind the screwdriver to fit.

Took me almost a half hour the first time I did it. Crazy.

 

Thanks Scott,
Yeah it's that swing out cup-holder in which no American cup fits LOL!
I hope I don't break those plastic. Will let know on progress!

Thanks dude.

 

In case you're curious, it fits a soda can perfectly. I assume the Germans never heard of the Big Gulp.

 

If only it fit ANY of my travel coffee mugs or a regular coffee cup....

 

This should help: Removing and Cleaning the B5 Front Cup-holder.

My cupholders also don't click shut, been that for a long time. I've tried endlessly, and I've taken it to 2 dealerships who agreed to take it out quickly for free, but to no avail. The clips on my cupholders are broken, so I STILL haven't removed them. I suppose next step is taking apart the dash

 

I swapped out to the B5.5 center console, the cupholders are so much better. The armrest is also much more comfortable when you drive 12 hours a day.

 

Is there a DIY write up on this anywhere?

 

^^ Can't wait until I find a reasonably priced B5.5 console. Then I'll have no problem super glueing the wood trim piece to keep the front cup holder shut :crazy:

 

I asked all these same questions before. So you don't have to reiterate, PZ:

It's been a long time since I saw the DIY for the center console, but it was not a hard swap. These threads might help:

Cleaning the cupholder:
Removing and Cleaning the B5 Front Cup-holder - VW Passat Forums : Volkswagen Passat Forum

B5.5 console:
How To B5.5 Center Console installed in a B5 - VW Passat Forums : Volkswagen Passat Forum
HOW-TO: Remove B5.5 Center Console - VW Passat Forums : Volkswagen Passat Forum

Partial B5 console removal:
HOW-TO: fix your side to side motion on your Tip, a.k.a Floppy Shifter Repair - VW Passat Forums : Volkswagen Passat Forum

Read up!

 

I asked all these same questions before. So you don't have to reiterate, PZ:




Read up!

Are you trying to keep my post count down :lol:

 

Thanks Red!

:wrench: