156 pre- and post- facelift dashboard

Hi All

Does anybody know the difference in sizes between pre- and post- interior facelift?

The pre- had a vent housing on top of the dash, above the centre console, the post- had a trip computer there instead.
But is the actual dashboard itself the same? Or is the cut out for that housing or the centre console different between versions?

Its a different moulding and a different pattern on the grain.

The heater box is totally different (based on the 147)

Should have been more clear - I'm not planning on changing the dash, so the grain doesn't matter.
I want to fit something which latches into place in two places:
The gap between top of centre console and dash
The gap between vent housing and dash

So, as it's designed for the early 156, I need to check whether that stretch of dashboard is the same width, and the two openings in the dash are at the same angle.

Here's a pic of the part on the earlier dash:
Kuda 280045 Naviconsole
It looks very similar to me, but I thought others might know better.

Hmph.
I've now discovered (after having the bright idea to check pictures on pistonheads classifieds) that there are at least 3 different types of dash-top vent housings.
But I still think the cut out for all of them is the same, as is the cut out for the top part of the centre console.

Compare these to the one on the Kuda advert:
http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/582/582961-5.jpg

http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/564/564552-6.jpg

http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/590/590904-3.jpg

Pass on the cut out - mine was like no.1

There is the origional dash, the one that was face lifted but put into the last of the old shape cars, and the new shape cars. The only difference between the last 2 was the style of the info unit/air vent you are talking about. I would think that mounting unit would fit all 3 looking at it. have you tried emailing the company Bazza?

1 and 2 are the same aren't they?

No, the info unit is a different design.

I emailed the company, but their response was basically - I can look at the picture, and I should be able to tell better than them.

Which is fair enough to be honest - they probably haven't got a couple of 156 dashboards lying around to check!

The cut out and shape of that part of the dash looks identical to me - I think I'm going to go for it. I can always sell it to someone on here with an older 156 if not!

Oh, and Pud - look at the front of the infocentre, and the two vents either side of it to see the differences.

Good luck, I hope it fits 'cos that mount looks really tidy. I lifted my info unit up the other day to try to sort an annoying rattle. It's only fixed by 2 screws at the back, the rest of the fixings are like spring clips (No wonder mine "buzzes!) You will only need to lift the front lip a little to get the mount lug in. let us know how you get on.

That's good news Mitch, I wasn't looking forward to tackling that!

I've just had a further thought, as I was halfway through the ordering process:
In the next few days I should be getting a paypal refund from a dipstick eBay seller who sold me something which was broken. I might as well wait for that and use those funds to buy the mount. I assume the alternative is to remove funds from paypal and therefore pay a charge for doing so.

So there will be a few days delay before an outcome, but I will update this thread once I have it. My theory is that the only reason the part isn't specified for the later model is that the satnav might block the view of the infocentre slightly - but I can cope with that, and I think it'll still be almost all visible anyway.

Are you sure they fit RHD cars?


Have you thought about one of these?
Brodit Headrest 810926

Originally Posted by bazza

I've just had a further thought, as I was halfway through the ordering process:
In the next few days I should be getting a paypal refund from a dipstick eBay seller who sold me something which was broken. I might as well wait for that and use those funds to buy the mount. I assume the alternative is to remove funds from paypal and therefore pay a charge for doing so.

Whenever I've had refunds on PayPal, they've always been refunded straight back onto the card, and with no charge.

Originally Posted by RicksAlfas

Are you sure they fit RHD cars?


Have you thought about one of these?
Brodit Headrest 810926

They are universal to LHD and RHD cars - I have one in my 159 and it's a great piece of kit - very well made and solid.

Originally Posted by RicksAlfas

Are you sure they fit RHD cars?


Have you thought about one of these?
Brodit Headrest 810926

I did think about that, but thanks to Frasers handy fitting thread I can see that the mount itself isn't angled at all - it relies on the fact that the centre console itself is angled.

Also, wouldn't I have to sit in the back seat to use the one you suggest?

Originally Posted by Pud237

Whenever I've had refunds on PayPal, they've always been refunded straight back onto the card, and with no charge.

Cheers Pud. I might just order it tonight then.