Just as I got the car, I was lucky to find a burl walnut ashtray on eBay for a very reasonable price.

Today got to replace it and finally get rid of that awful XM add-on.

Followed the directions from this thread on removing the console, was actually really easy. https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e-radio-30043/

The wood grain is not a perfect match, but I don't think anyone else but me will ever notice (the shifter surround has a light spot that doesn't continue up to the ashtray lid). But I'm very happy with the results.

On a day when I have more daylight and warmer temps, I will remove the wiring back to the trunk, the control unit, and the roof antenna.

 

Nice work!

 

@mhamilton

I am about to do the same thing. What were Jaguar thinking when they came up with that satellite radio solution. It's ghastly. I have a Super V8 Portfolio which was pretty unusual wood, so I have bought a second hand ashtray and vinyl wrapped it in piano black to match the upper part of the console. Hopefully it will look OK when it's fitted. A quick question....... how exactly is the front of the console connected to the dash? And how hard do you have to pull it to get it out?

 

Looks great!!!!

 

I said the same thing when I saw that add-on radio. Can't imagine how many matched-veneer ashtrays went into the garbage for those pieces. Absurd.

The console is really easy. The scary part for me was prying up the shifter trim the first time. I started in the front with an "L" shaped pick between the trim and the XM, and gently lifted it up, the front clips pull up easily. Then I worked my fingers in and pried around to the back. The clip by the parking brake switch is a tight fit.

2 torx screws on each side of the shifter. The rear screws on your car is a bit different since you have rear climate control, but the instructions are in the sticky above. Once those are all out, lift up the back of the console (should offer no resistance) and you'll see the top edge over the climate control is held in by 2 plastic tabs (the kind that go into a flat spring). If it offers a lot of resistance, check for any missed screws.

The other thing, it's a big help to have an extra set of hands to hold the radio/climate stack while you install the ashtray. Or you can unplug all the connectors and remove the stack entirely (I should have done that...).

 

These directions for removing the Serius do not accurately reflect the procedures for a later model (2007). that has the rear radio and A/C I just finished the Serius removal and ashtray install. Fortunately, I did not have to disconnect any wires in my rear seat air-condition/radio panel. I just did the front of the center section as described but in the rear all that is needed is removal of the two torque screws hidden behind the lower foot vents on either side of the rear console and lift it as you pull it aft. This will elevate the entire center console high enough to access the Serius module and install the new ashtray. It did take me 4 hours to complete and figure everything that was different out.