Cup Holder replacement
Hi,
I purchased a new 2005 console center section for my 02 Coupe back in 05. Installed it myself. It wasn't very hard. The only hard part is that Maserati (thoughtfully) installed some of the screws holding the center section so that you have to pull out the center console to replace them. (When they are installed in the car the head of the screw points down). Rather than go thru the problem of removing the entire console (a big job), I bought a small (2-3 inch long) right angle ratchet screwdriver from Pep Boys that allowed me to reach thru the holes where the ash tray and the mirror adjuster were and reach the screws. (using the close quarters right angle screw driver allows you to insert the screwdriver under a screw facing down that only has 1 inch of separation between the screw and the undercarriage of the car). It was a bit difficult getting the screws in and out since I was only able to get 5 or 10 degrees of turn on the ratchet each time due to close quarters. Took maybe 3 or 4 minutes to remove each screw. But, since I didn't have to remove and replace the entire console it turned out to be much much easier in the long run.
Reinstalling the new console center section I had a little trouble since the screw holes weren't all in the same place. However, I was able to make a new attachment point by pulling up the little rubber mat at the bottom of the tiny cigarette ash tray on the new replacement console. Then I drilled a hole thru the bottom of the ash tray so I could install a screw (turns out the attachment point for the new console is directly below the ash tray.). Once I reinstalled the rubber mat in the ash tray it was impossible to detect the modification.
The whole job took me about an hour & you would never know the car didn't come from the factory that way.