I am looking to see if anyone has removed the two plastic strips in the rail channel in front of the handbrake. I would like to make use of the space for my wife's cellphone holder that came with the car or for one of the rail cup holders.
I put in a call to our MA to see if the shop guys know a way to remove them. I figured the best way might be to take the rail apart and slide them out as I don't want to ruin the pieces.

 

Interesting thought.

Tha handbrake design is overwrought and occupies far too much space. Renders the front rail almost all but useless it seems.

 

Their only other choice would have been placing the standard handle next to the rail. I'm just surprised that they placed the plastic pieces into an area that could be utilized.
I tried prying one side out with a small screwdriver since it appears to be snapped into the channel. It appeared that I was stressing the plastic part so I stopped. I don't want to damage the pieces. I figure I may have to take the end of the rail off and slide them out.
Can't wait until they get a Bentley repair manual written.

 

Yeah keep us updated on this. We have to figure out a way to get these thigns out.

 

I used a Dremel tool and drilled two small holes in the black plastic/rubber, this allowed me to put the sliding tray into the rails for the phone holder between the gear stick and handbrake. It's a much better place for the phone.

 

Someone made a post on how to do this. Maybe a search will turn it up.
It was fairly easy and quick to do.

 

Took me about 3 minutes to pull the spacers from the front and back.

By pulling the ones from the back (directly behind the front armrest), I was able to put the glasses holder there. It's an easy reach from the front, and it's low enough that it doesn't interfere with the armrest when I open it.

 

The post is out -- search for center rail. Took about five minutes. I would like to replace the brake handle with one just on the side, though -- and a little more clearance on the rail. I can't slide the cup holder up as far as I would like.

 

believe this is the thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-removal.html

no good for me as i use the usb/aux slots...

 

You can still use the usb/aux if you get 90 degree adapters.

 

I looked at ours, and it appears that part of the rail (under the lip) necks down, preventing the accessories from being slid forward. How do i get around this?

I noticed in the demo model that they had one holder in front of the necked down portion of the rail. Not sure how they did it.

Anyone?

 

That's what we've been talking about. You need to pry out the plastic spacers under the lip on each side. There are a pair at the front of the front rail and the front of the back rail.

Pry them out with a screwdriver, then when the end is sticking out from underneath the lip of the rail, pull it out with needle-nosed pliers.