Have you removed the ashtray or at least opened it when trying to get the Climate Control Unit out?
Remove it first. Take the drawer insert out, undo the two tx20s. Unclip the light power cable. Don't lose the spring
Hopefully someone can swing in by & give you a hand (2m apart that is) & work their magic sorry im in scotland!
Put a request out? With first part of your postcode to see if anyone is near by you in Dorking? Worth a try....
I know you say you have given up. Here is one last suggestion to try on your own. Completely remove the ashtray, then using a hair dryer warm up that shelf area you saw to make the plastic more pliable but not too hot. Now with the plastics warmed use the string method and use the radio tools to release the upper spring clips. You may even be able to pull the strings with one hand why pulling and wiggling the rear of the unit with your other hand.
Just to add in, I have the ashe tray in my car below the climate control with the stereo above it. I removed the stereo and not the ashe tray. With a fairly large amount of force I got the climate control out. I too struggled with it but it was mostly force. I had my hand right in the back pulling it forward. Nothing broke.
Don't put yourself down, everybody has to start somewhere and build up expertise over years and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools and tools ....I’m sure it’s do-able but this and one or two other projects on the car are proving to me that I’ve got a fairly low ceiling for my car DIY ability, it wasn’t for nothing that my school reports gave me low grades and condescending “tries hard” comments for practical subjects!
I had the same concerns as you when replacing mine, but it actually popped out really easily. Once you get your fingers behind it, just push as hard as you can and it ‘should’ suddenly give in and release it’s grip, and you can then slide it out. Just be brave!
There must be members in an around London that could assist in this. Come on guys ( and gals ).