Hey guys - had a couple requests for a writeup on removing the center console / the aluminum tip-shifter mod. So here you go. I went into some pretty good detail and pictures should not be needed.

Removing Console
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NOTE for FACELIFT 99.5+ ONLY - IF ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS GET AT THE METAL SHIFTER PLATE... simply remove the plastic trim piece around the metal plate (it pulls up from the edge toward the handbreak). This will give you access to the metal shifter plate, shifter magnets, etc


Hand brake:
You need to remove the hand brake cover. On the handle, underneath, there should be a small button/clip that needs to be unfastened. Then you should be able to pull the hand section off. Then pull up on the brake and remove the larger rear section.

Rear Console section: (Pre 99.5 facelift models only)
There are 5 bolts/nuts that need to be removed.
1. On the console wall by your knee (just next to the edge of the seat) is a small cover/plug. Behind this is a bolt that needs to be removed. There is one on both the driver's and passenger's side.
2. Remove the cover that normally flips over the rear ashtray (the very back of the console). Inside there are two nuts that need to be removed. (there is a third nut that you SHOULD NOT remove - it is obvious which one)
3. Remove the cupholder under the armrest (or the phone plug cover in other models). The cupholder just pulls out with some force. Here is one last nut you need to remove.

Now you should be able to lift the rear of the console up, pivoting at the joint between rear and front sections, and then pull apart. There are a couple plugs (ie. hand brake sensor) that will need to be released before it completely pulls away.

Radio:
The radio must be removed before the front console can come out. You need the radio keys (2 keys for pre 1995.5 models, 4 keys for later models). Insert keys, then tilt the handles inwards towards the radio. You may need two people to do this cuz its difficult to get it all at once. It may take some wiggling and a lot of shouts and screams of frustration.

Once the radio is out and unplugged, lots of bolts are revealed. For older models a couple bolts will release the A/C unit. For newer models it is held in by 4 clips (2 top and 2 bottom). The easiest way to remove is to unclip the bottom with upward and outward pressure and then the top will unclip more easily.

Front Console section:
On newer model A4's (1999.5 and up) the top section of the console face has a small trim piece than also needs to be remove (pre 1999.5 have all one peice face design) It simply prys off (there are 6 metal clips that will unlatch - careful, they tend to break easily). Also on newer A4's the shifter surround (not the aluminum piece) pulls up (on older cars there is no surround) with some force. It is simply clipped in there and must come out before the ash tray. The Ash tray also should pop out with a little force on both old and new models

There are several bolts that are obviously holding the actual console to the dash cage - remove these. Also, in the drivers footwell on the console wall by the accelerator pedal, there is a clip/plug (much like the ones by your knee) that also must be taken out along with the bolt under it. Disconnect the plugs on the A/C unit also.

The front console should now pull out - change shifter gear position to make it easier to remove. I am not familair with the manual shifter - though I assume all you need to remove is the shift boot as a final step here.


Aluminum/painted Tip-Shifter mod
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now - if you have a tiptronic, before you try to lift off the chrome shifter plate you need to take off the shift ****.

You do this by:
1. Engaging the hand brake
2. Put the key position in ON, but the car OFF.
3. Put the shifter into 3rd gear position.
2. The small chrome piece under the shift **** needs to be unclipped downward, it will pop free with pressure and slide down the shift assembly.
5. Now pull out the thumb button slightly and hold it while you pull the shift **** up and off the assembly (it will take some effort).
6. Putting it back on, the procedure is the same.

You will notice 4 clips that hold the tiptronic shift plate to the inner working sof the console. Pry these ever so slughtly off with a small screwdrive (CAREFUL - these will snap easily)

Once you have the plate free, unplug the elctronics board and carefully peel the card from the underside of the shifter plate - try to take the double sided tape along with the board. It needs to go back on.

Also - be careful of a small electronics piece on the right side of the shifter mechanism (passengers) which will be loose - it is the magnetic strip that needs to be in the right place to allow the tiptronic to function. If you put the shifter back with this misaligned, the tip function may not work or may work erratically.

There you go. Sand that sucker down and coat with satin clear (or whatever you want).