yup, my car is annoying to do anything electrical on... except when using the data port //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif my car may or may not be smarter than me. it's pretty close.
look in the interior FAQ and installing the dash cubby. that might help you. if you just want to take off the bottom plate there are a few torx bolts (i think three) on the side that is closest to the front bumper. at least thats how my GLI is, and i'm assuming it's the same.