I've noticed that in the USA they get lovely round electric window switches on the centre round console by the gear shift- in the UK, we get less lovely ones- they look much cheaper- the round seem to have a chrome surround that also looks more 'right' in the car.
Question is: can I buy a USA console top piece with those switches- (as seen on eBay) and swap them round?
I know I can't add the glovebox lid you get in the states (your steering wheel is on the wrong side! Hehehe!) but I don't see a difference to the piece around the window switches...

Sadly, you'd have to replace the whole dash to do it with OEM parts

Unless you're willing to have a go at it with filler, plastic welding and refinishing, the only option is to wait for the face lift model later this year with the US style dash.

The swap is actually something I want to do someday myself, the European spec window switches are just plain nasty. The part you have to modify is only small so it's not entirely out of the question.

Grr!!
I never want the simple fix option! ??? thank you- just as an aside, I thought it was literally the same piece of plastic attached to the same piece of plastic with different holes and switches- I can't see why it's different- I mean, electric switch is an electric switch surely?
Just
The U.S. ones... are prettier! ????

I recently broke my trim around the Dualogic lever and looked it up on ePer - it comes complete with the 'triangular' top of the console. I noticed there was a different part for the Gucci special edition - and a Google search showed this seems to have the US-style switches, with the elegant chrome ring.

However, the shape of the 'triangular' console top is different. Therefore I think you'd have to change the whole console as UFI said, but at least the parts might be available as Gucci parts rather than USA parts (if that makes any difference).

EDIT: Scratch all that, I'm wrong - the photos I was looking at were the Gucci version in the USA - it turns out that the European Gucci version just has the same switches as ours...

So on second thoughts, it's probably cheaper to buy all the relevant bits from a wrecked USA 500 - maybe there is an enterprising wrecker's yard that will help

-Alex

Just to add to your annoyance, I believe the face-lifted European version of the 500 (which is due sometime soon, although no-one knows when!) is due to have these nicer window switches.

There was a thread on here a little while ago with some scoop shots.