I can't believe I've had my car for so long and haven't noticed this before. I was cleaning the interior yesterday and noticed that the black trim that surrounds the radio/HVAC controls and the trim surrounding the shift knob/cup holder area aren't the same color. The radio trim is black and the shifter trim is blue. I called the dealer and inquired on it and he said that since it's a Supercharged model the console trim will always be a different color. Doesn't seem to make too much sense, and it seems like every other picture I've seen show matching black trim. Doesn't bother me too much, just wondering if anyone else has blue trim around the shifter and cup holders or if it's just me. I took a picture so you can see what I mean.

 

Mine is black and, for that matter, I've never seen, another color on the console or radio/HVAC surround in an X351

 

+1 as to what XJsss said.

I believe that your dealer's explanation is BS. My 2013 XJ 5.0L is supercharged and all the wood trim in the center (upper and lower) is piano black. One way to know for sure is to call your dealer's parts department for the price of the shifter trim and ask if it's available in any color other than piano black.

All I can think of is that the piano black finish on your horizontal shifter trim faded due to exposure to direct sunlight, but the vertical piano black panel surrounding the radio/HVAC controls didn't fade because it didn't have direct sun beating down on it. My piano black trim is still like new, but I always use a reflective sunshade when parked outdoors and have custom tinted windows to protect the interior.

 

+2.

Your dealer is giving you a made up answer to make you go away.

There is only one gearshift surround part all the way up to VIN53137: C2D24841. C2D6306, C2D16524 and C2D18191 are all interchangable parts with minor engineering changes.

The centre console (floor console) is slightly different for supercharged vs non-supercharged vehicles, but not that trim piece.

It costs about £150 in the UK, but car breakers will have them for much less. Yours looks to have been taken care off (no scratches in the finish) so be careful choosing a used replacement if you go down that route as many are scratched by keys, rings, etc.

Yours appears to have faded in the sun. If you pop it off (it just clips on from above) check the far edge that sits flush with the AC control panel to see if that has faded as much. It looks like it hasn't form the photo, but it is in direct sunlight so hard to tell.

 

It's funny this comes up now...I just noticed my piano black trim was starting to look sort of bluish in direct sunlight.

 

Just came across this link in another thread - someone is selling their 2011 N/A XJ and has the same blue trim piece.

2011 Jaguar XJL-Original Owner-Custom Look! Low Miles, Fully Loaded!!

 

I have a 2011 Jaguar XJL Portfolio - same thing happened to me - the cooler of the console changed to blue, it was originally black as the trim around the radio... I think the sun affected the console color - did not expect this, another problem is the cover of the buttons and around the screen - it became gluey and sticky, and on the most used buttons started to fall off - quite ugly - again, I guess ten years of sun...

 

You can remove the blue console trim and cover it it with gloss black automotive vinyl wrap. Match the wrap color as close as possible to the vertical trim around the radio.

The sticky buttons are a common problem. One popular DIY fix is to use women's Neutrogena Makeup Removing wipes to rub off the sticky stuff without damaging any printing that's underneath. See:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...elting-165869/

 

Have not gotten an explanation, but mine is blueish/purple in color!

 

Yours isn't just turning blue, but your whole console is beat to crap. There was a video somewhere on fixing the cup holder covers. And if I were you, I would follow the recommendation above to remove and wrap the trim in gloss vinyl.

 

How to wrap the blue part is covered here in my working thread.

That blue bezel has enough scars that it may need to be sanded before vinyl can be applied smoothly. I see a crack that would need attention too before wrapping.

 

pretty sure every single model I've seen 2013ish and older has the blueish trim, there was definitely a material change around 2014 for that piece

I'd have to imagine just replacing the bezel would make more sense than making the effort to wrap/restore, can find used units in decent shape

 

Thanks EliteZags as I have only seen it on the early years and I have a 2014 XJR so was on guard watching to see if it would happen.
I had not heard any explanation before yours.
.
.
.

 

Your sliding cupholder cover is in bad shape and can't be repaired. Ask me how I know.

Here's what to do:
DIY Cupholder Sliding Cover Replacement

 

My 2013 XJL w/ 33k miles has what looks like black. Under the intense work light, it looks dark blue. Who would have thought. Mine is almost always garaged, so little direct sunlight.

 

my 2011 xjl has the same as well