Hey guys, just got around to replacing my broken cupholder at last and thought i'd take some pics of the process for anyone who hasn't done it yet. This post is kind of for the archives I guess.

Pretty straight-forward but never hurts to have write-ups with pics around!

All you'll need is an assortment of small flatheads and/or paint can opener (and perhaps a cloth for some cushioning when prying) to get the hazard surround trim off. You might want some small, lengthy needle-nose pliers to reach the harness the cupholder has behind it too, depends.

Be aware, sometimes removing the hazard trim without damaging it ends up being the most annoying/hardest part of the install! I've chipped it AND broke 2 tabs replacing the hazard relay switch a while back. This time around, to be honest, I man-handled the trim off myself with no tools. Golden.

So here's our new replacement cupholder assembly:






So to get started, remove hazard trim VERY CAREFULLY and slowly, easing it straight towards you a little bit at a time with your cloth-covered pry tool of choice. Don't pry from the sides, it'll chip. Constant gentle pressure spread out along the top part is good.


Here's the backside of the trim once removed, with 2 of the 6 gold trim clips missing on mine:


Here's what's behind it:


Notice the two gold metal clips (and the charming crud/coffee buildup). These are what hold the cupholder assembly in place.




Release the clips by prying them upward - they may aim directly for your face coming off!


Cupholder assembly is now free to slide/be wiggled out.


If it gets caught part way like mine, tugging on it should be okay - it just undid the harness in my case. Hopefully your harness has more play than mine and it comes right out. Here is the connection (for the red cupholder light) tucked in there:


I pulled mine out a little with some needle-nose pliers...


...and connected it to my new (used from AudiS4parts.com) cupholder assembly.


Now we test first to make sure the red light works and the harness is properly connected. Just turn your key forward to the accessory position and switch on your parking lights (one click) and it should light up as here:


If desired, as in my case, you can glue/contact cement the front cupholder trim piece right to the assembly so the clumsy thing doesn't keep unclipping itself. I used contact cement on this....


...and this little trim piece. Let them set as per directions.


Assuming it did light up, re-fit the new cupholder all the way in, re-attach gold metal clips to hold it in place, re-attach trim hazard and that should be it!


And now just make sure no one ever uses it. EVER.