Change out center console

Has anyone changed out the center console? How difficult was it? I've been thinking of getting a seal grey or carbon fiber center console for my 996. What does everyone think, seal grey or carbon fiber (obviously alot more expensive)? I already have a CF shifter.

Not too hard. Go on renntech.com and do a search. Should take 45 min or so.

As Neil said, very simple. Just a pain since there are SOOOOOO many torx screws to remove not to mention the hidden ones. I have changed mine out 5 or 6 times (painted console, SSK, rear hinge replacement, left a tool in there,) and of course I didn't do them all at once.

Neighbor, we're having a special on CF center consoles...not sure if you saw our ad? I have a Seal Gray center console, but if you already have a CF shifter I would go with the CF console to match it. It's not much more expensive to get a CF one...I think a painted one runs around $700 and our special is $920 for a CF one. It's also easy to remove and replace. You just need to right torque screwdriver.

Yep...very easy to do. Just take your time and save all your screws. C.

I just bought a new console in GT3 Silver, which is an exact match for the silver on the CF shifter & handbrake, as well as the silver horseshoe @the base of the leather shifter shroud. It definitely brightened up my Graphite Grey interior.

Thanks everyone! Kirby, I did see the sale, that's what got my noodle working again, thanks. Any chance of squeeks and rattles produced from the change? Xcessive Motorsports sells the painted ones for around $350, but I don't know anything about their quality. I probably make a change soon. Thanks for all the help. Any pictures?

nope usually no squeaks and rattles. make sure if you get a painted one that it's done right. I've seen some really bad paint jobs...but also, some really good ones. Becareful...you usually get what you pay for.

If someone has a PDF file to install the B&M short shifter, you will have a step by step instruction to do it. Not to difficult to do.

I have a pdf file of the install if anybody needs it just email me.

Neighbor - Try the link below. It is the B&M Racing site. At the bottom of the page is the PDF for the short shifter installation instructions, which also covers the removal and replacement of the rear center console. http://www.bmracing.com/index.php?id...cat=15&pid=187

We've been painting consoles and other interior parts for a very long time. We stock the 996/Boxster consoles in most colors, ready to ship, with full instructions for self-install and easy core swap. And we've recently reduced the price on the painted consoles as well.

If I were to order a painted console I would order it from Eric!

Man, you guys are the best!!! Doesn't look that complicated. Eric, what's your price without the trade out? I'm thinking of keeping the original just in case.

email sent!

Neighbor, email me. I'm in a dealin' mood. [email removed]

Neighbor, 2 of the hidden torx screws that I remember are, 1 under the coin holder and 1 under the rubber mat of the aft center console. The ash tray tiny light bulb need to be pulled too before you could raise the whole cntr console assy.

You guys have been a tremendous help. Looks like sonething I can do. The biggest challenge seems to be looking for all the screws then remembering where they all go again. I assume my CF shift **** has a screw also, to remove the **** and leather wrap. Eric, sending email now.

Oh yeah, don't forget to remove the ebrake microswitch clipped to the underside of the console.

Console may be on hold for a while. Just ordered a CF steering wheel from Cargraphics for $650! Couldn't pass on the deal. Thinking about getting a CF e-brake next (cheaper). I need your opinion guys, would the interior look better with a CF e-brake and CF console or would that be overdoing it. How about a seal grey console from Eric and a CF e-brake to go with my CF shifter and soon-to-arrive CF steering wheel?

Neighbor, IMO I think it might be overkill to get a CF center console if your Shifter/Brake handle are already CF. It all depends how much you like CF? I know some folks like CF and it's not overkill to them...just to me. BUT, if you do want a CF console we got'em for ya!

You're the source I'm counting on for a CF console if I decide to go that way. I think you're right, it may be overkill. I think I may go with seal grey when I decide to do the console.

no problem Neighbor. As much as I want to sell you a CF console...I want to tell you what I personally think. My rep on the board is more important than any $ amount. If you change your mind about the console I'm here for ya! Btw, here is my console...and no tip jokes please...

go with carbon fiber it will look great with your cf shifter. I have the same set up and love it.also when you feel like more mods there is lots of cf parts to buy. MO BLING

Would you have any pictures of your setup? I'd love to see it. Kirby that console looks awesome in paint! I wonder how my black interior would look with a seal grey console. I think that may be really nice too. Wish I was better with photoshop. Can't wait for the CF steering wheel though. Idea situation would be to get the CF e-brake and console installed at the same time. To bad, my pocket may not cooperate with that.

Neighbor, I didn't know your interior was Black? A CF console might not be so bad afterall?

BTW Its only 6 or 7 screws in the console no big deal!

Do this: Get the painted rear center console, then let us add the CF ignition and hazard rosettes for a nice touch. Factory matched, stunning.

Your right it is no big deal, but a PITA!

I am thinking about a CF shifter and Ebrake handle, and the possibility of a CF center console is an interesting one. Any thoughts on this setup in an Orient Red Metallic Cab? Or, as the title says, what about just doing a Orient Red Metallic center console (probably w/o CF, as that might look weird?). Just testing ideas. Also, one other question -- as a complete noob who has no mechanical talent whatsoever, how much would it likely cost to have a competent person put these parts in?

Quote from Porsche dealership was $250 for labor for e-brake install. Didn't ask about the shifter (already have it). Was told installing console would be free considering the labor is there already for installing the e-brake (console needing to be removed anyways).

Hi Neighbor! Here is my friend's 40th w/ black interior and seal grey console. hey, I'm in Plano and we really are neighbor...

That looks really clean. I'm leaning more to a seal grey console with my cf shifter and a new cf e-brake. I'll receiving the cf steering wheel Monday (can't wait!). We should get together. Do you participate in any pca functions? I'm starting to.

Why would you put a seal grey center in a 40th? But from the looks of it, that center console looks more 40th paint to match or AS....not seal grey.

Neighbor: You bet. I ran both PCA/BMWCCA's DE and AutoX couple times a year. we should get together sometime... there's so many 996 in town. just me and my friends we have 4 996s around... Dell: You are corrected. it is CGT silver console it came with the 40th. not true seal grey...my bad... I actually got the SSK PDF from you about an year ago and have my friend's paint shop painted the console I got off the eBay and replaced it. Thanks for your help.

Wow! That looks great. Speed yellow and black is a GREAT combo.

No kidding! WOW

I just installed a new rear center console this afternoon....GT3 Silver....looks exactly like the silver that's on the CB handbrake & shifter (which I have)....while I was in there, I installed the Schnell Short Shifter....the silver broke up my Graphite Grey beautifully.....great compliment for the CB stuff....now I'm hooked, and will have to do AT LEAST the upper console, door hoop pulls, and map lid covers....any more might get gaudy By the way, I also installed H&R springs....I'm still trying to figure out what some of you DON'T like about this modl....handles & looks great, so far!!!! Where is that damned missing wheel????

Richard, I know you Yanks are a lil slow, but were are the pics!!!!

Dell - Good point! Come to think of it, has anyone ever seen a pic of Richard's P-car?

I knew I'd get busted one of these days....you're right, gota911....I've NEVER posted a pic, because I've always felt it was a waste of time on a stock PCar....I've been waiting until I did a few mods....now, as soon as HRE makes the replacemente wheel for the one "officially" lost by UPS, I'll post my baby....while I'm waiting for the wheel, I'm going to get those few last pieces of GT3 Silver for the interior. Then, if I could only get Kirby to visit Nashville, and shoot those pictures with his magic touch, and Chad to do his genius to an Avatar, I'd be in business!!!!.

Sounds like excuses to me

hmmm seal grey center console and gt3 deletion might be my next mod... If I went with the black sport seats, how would that look? maybe I should do the black center console... oh yeah, need to post pics of my interior..

Look great if you had a black interior

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thats not funny... You dont think the black seats would blend well with my grey int.? I got black floormats, if that makes a difference..

Oh, since you mention the black floormats then I definitely think it will work. Anybody care to photoshop an interior pic to make the seats black??? The pic I posted might work as a candidate.

I switched to black floormats also. Easier to keep clean.

like this?

Peter, I'll let you make the call on this one! For me? Not diggin it.

sorry, but that looks like KaKa.

The only way I would do blacks seats would be if they were GT3 seats that I was ONLY using on track day.

Old thread but thanks alot. Whoever stumbles on this thread next becareful not to rip the material on the inside of the E-Brake while taking out the consule. I also had to do it twice because I forgot to check if reverse worked. I had to learn the hard way.