Removing rear seat centre console

[outnumbered]

I need to take 3 kids in the back of the car in a couple of weeks. Rather than risk knackering the console by it being sat on, I'd like to take it out.

Anyone know if it can be taken off without taking the whole rear bench out first? And also what's underneath the console - is there something relatively solid ?

[mattCSLnut]

It's easier (and safer for the rear carbon side panels) to remove the whole base out of the car before removing the rear centre console as it is held with 2 metal trim hooks right down at the rear which you'll have to bend open and remove. IIRC the front of the console has 2 further hooks at the front of the seat base. Once remover there is a flat area underneath with a rectangular cut out at the front, however there's little point in doing all this as there is no centre lap belt for the 3rd rear seat passenger, so if you decide to drive on the public road you'll be braking the law.

[Yanto]

Yup, easier to leave in and put child #3 in boot (obviously under luggage net to stop movement)

Hth

[Chappers]

could he legally fit a standard M3 bench and lap belt or are our cars registered as 4-seaters?

[Neil M]

It's only a 4 Seater with two seat belts in the back, whatever you decide be careful of Plod but more importantly Insurance wouldn't pay out in the event of an accident.

[outnumbered]

I had looked up the seatbelt law, and all it says is that you have to wear a belt if one is fitted on your seat. I was thinking about fitting a normal lap belt anyway, but wasn't sure how much of a "seat" was under the console. Sounds like there isn't really enough to be practical.