So I'm tired of dinking around with major projects, and have three such projects that aren't even driveable due to engine issues. Not that major projects aren't fun in their own way, but I've missed having a *nice* W116 ever since the poor 300SD had it's accident. One of these days, I'll get around to fixing it, but I set my heart on a long wheelbase after that and had a disastrous purchase with the rusty green one. Plus I've had one remaining parking spot just waiting to be filled. Got impatient saving/searching for the right 6.9, and figured I should get something a tad more efficient since I drive over a hundred miles a day. Not wanting to deal with rust, I kept my eyes open for a good California car. When the right one showed up less than an hour from an enthusiast friend of mine, I sent him over to check it out. No surprises and all seemed quite in order. Car has spent a good amount of time indoors, as the condition of the original leather interior shows. Even has proper tires... No rust whatsoever. And in one of my favorite Mercedes colors! Original paint, all three original keys, even all the original manuals...
So, I bought it! And boy, do I think I got a good deal! Have yet to go and get it, but here's pictures:
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39601-1/__KGrHqV__iEE-noY4wwUBP98kVYbN___60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39610-1/__KGrHqR__iwE-l5nSn_-BP98kJpG-g__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39628-1/__KGrHqJ__jQE__NL_Co9BP98j-u8qw__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39574-1/_T2eC16Z___UE9s3wDco7BP98j0RVrQ__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39619-1/__KGrHqN__l0E_GNP_1RCBP98mpvK2___60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39613-1/__KGrHqN__rME_oMvE2_nBP98kf_8uw__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39595-1/__KGrHqV__oME-9i9IqLbBP98lKDFpw__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39580-1/_T2eC16R___sE9swmZpRsBP98lUYO_Q__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39592-1/__KGrHqV__pcE-v8GkcE_BP98mfQklg__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39607-1/__KGrHqR__nQE-_6_sSDfBP98kqD6pQ__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39622-1/__KGrHqJ__qgE-zCs0okbBP98mz47zg__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39604-1/__KGrHqR__pYE_L16B_hWBP98nI_vQ___60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39598-1/__KGrHqV__ikE_0Cs3QWtBP98nSq86___60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39631-1/__KGrHqF__hME_mV9LTzWBP98m9zbM___60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39625-1/__KGrHqJ__noE-z_J_NILBP98k-_nmQ__60_3.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39616-1/__KGrHqN__rME_oMvE2_nBP9-piJnyw__60_3.JPG)
Hi Casey
I am so glad that your 140 purchase fell through. And congratulations on the purchase of the newest 116, they always look their best in red. It looks fab, and now that you have a such a nice looking and reliable car, you'll be able to get the others up to scratch.
I only have two square keys with my car, and I have an unused metal tang only part of a key, but I think it is a 'driver's' key and not a 'service key'. I presume the round key is a service key, and lacks a few of the details of the driver's key, thus locking you out of the boot/trunk and the glovebox. What is the wavy pice of aluminium?
Good luck, and good motoring
Gavin
The other key, in a sealed MB pocket
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/39654-1/The+_other_+key.JPG)
Quote from: gavin116 on 14 July 2012, 02:44 AM
I am so glad that your 140 purchase fell through. And congratulations on the purchase of the newest 116, they always look their best in red. It looks fab, and now that you have a such a nice looking and reliable car, you'll be able to get the others up to scratch.
Thanks Gavin - I was just about to PM you a link, as I was excited to share it with you. Everything worked out wonderfully in the end! That grey-on-grey 140 would have felt like driving a Toyota in comparison... This one actually will need a fair bit of things tended to as it has been sitting about in a garage for the last decade or so, but it's all stuff I'm comfortable with doing and hopefully shouldn't impede the 43-hour drive back.
QuoteI presume the round key is a service key, and lacks a few of the details of the drives key, thus locking you out of the boot/trunk and the glovebox.
Yes exactly.
QuoteWhat is the wavy pice of aluminium?
I'm pretty sure it's steel actually... That has the name and address of the original buyer of the car imprinted on it, I think along with the options the car came with. My other 450SEL also came with one.
I've never seen that sealed key, very nice! Is that leather key wallet also a Mercedes-supplied part?
I see you have the thicker, narrower style of key with flat edges, which I much prefer to the more common flatter style similar to W123 keys, with thinner and wider with serrated edges. The only car I've seen that on is my 300SD, and now this 450SEL as well. :) Not sure if it's to do with year or what, as my other 1979 has the other style. I believe that straight line you see along the bottom edge of your keys is what allows them to open the trunk/boot and glovebox/chocolateoven.
Casey, congrats on the SEL - I haven't seen such an unmolested car in a long time! I'm new to this forum, but not to the 116 as Ive been driving a 1980 450sel from arizona for the last 7 years and know intimately many things that arelikely to need attention on this car. Thats the best looking interior Ive seen in awhile!
And yes, the metal nameplate with the raised text was the original owner's ID card. When they'd take it in for service the dealer would run that thru something like a credit card machine to get all your info on their paperwork. effortlessly. The serrated edge is to align and hold in place. Nothing went without serious thought and engineering in those days!
The keys look original, they match mine. This type of ignition cylinder tends to go on models over 150k depending on the number of key turns. If you notice it sticks, and you can't turn the key into say, start mode, even just once or twice, replace it immediately. Just order it from MB. Super easy to swap out. But If you wait it may quickly lock you out altogether, and you cannot replace the cylinder unless it's in 1st position. You can guess why I know all this... Cheers on your new car!
Congratulations on a fine Benz! I'm sure you're going to enjoy the epic drive home.
SCORE!
She looks the goods Casey, Now go get her!
ROOOOOOOOOADTRIIIIIIIIIIIIP!
Quote from: Tony66_au on 14 July 2012, 07:40 PM
She looks the goods Casey, Now go get her!
ROOOOOOOOOADTRIIIIIIIIIIIIP!
Got the time off approved already, I'll be flying out this coming Thursday evening, picking up the car Friday, and then have a full week to get the car home and visit some various people and places along the way.
Quote from: chance on 14 July 2012, 06:32 AM
I'm new to this forum, but not to the 116 as Ive been driving a 1980 450sel from arizona for the last 7 years and know intimately many things that arelikely to need attention on this car.
Welcome! Hope to see many posts from you and your car. :D
QuoteThats the best looking interior Ive seen in awhile!
It's not bad! I've got a nicer interior of the same color, but that's because the material is MB-tex, which holds up better. For original leather, this is press great! The springs are shot in the driver seat, and it's got some wear and damage. I happen to have another original bamboo leather passenger front seat here though, which will make a complete set of outstanding condition bamboo leather seats available. But those will be going into another car or possibly sold if there's adequate interest! I'm also buying a complete SEL red interior set that I'll be picking up shortly after the car, sans seat skins and carpets. I'll buy those new. I need just a very few pieces to complete the red interior other than that, and ideally a driver door panel in better condition. In any case, this car will end up with a red interior, including brand new leather seats and hopefully red sheepskin covers to boot!
QuoteThis type of ignition cylinder tends to go on models over 150k depending on the number of key turns. If you notice it sticks, and you can't turn the key into say, start mode, even just once or twice, replace it immediately. Just order it from MB. Super easy to swap out.
Might just do that preemptively, because I'll be replacing the steering column in the near future for a few reasons - A. the steering is loose now, probably just the coupler needs replaced - I have a new one sitting here, B. I want an early model spline size so that I can use the chrome-trimmed steering wheel, and C. The column I have ready includes a column shifter, which I'll be converting the car to! Funny story about the column - it was removed with no key present, I thought it was going to be an adventure getting the cylinder off without it. But after it arrived in the mail, I noticed a rattle inside of it, and managed to shake the matching key out from inside of the column. No idea how it got there but good luck!
I'll also be swapping out the climate control to the manual type at some point. Have a donor car with all the parts and nice zebrano trim for it purchased separately. I've never seen a zebrano trim for the center console for column shift cars though, so might have to get that custom made. I think if I bother with that I might as well just get all the trim custom made in Macassar ebony to match the ebony dash trim option that was available in 1973. And of course, a Becker pinstripe radio is going back where it belongs.
Also planning on installing front and rear seat heaters (have the parts already) and likely the orthopedic option in both front seats. And there's surely more...
You might say I've been planning on having such a car as this for a good while.
That's an amazing specimen there. If it were mine, I'd fix the one seat bottom, keep it clean and maintained and change nothing else. Always remember, restorations are everywhere, but the cars are only original once, and nicely maintained original cars are ever so rare.
Naturally, it is your car and your choice, but it is my sincere opinion.
Quote from: ZCarFan on 15 July 2012, 11:50 AM
That's an amazing specimen there. If it were mine, I'd fix the one seat bottom, keep it clean and maintained and change nothing else. Always remember, restorations are everywhere, but the cars are only original once, and nicely maintained original cars are ever so rare.
Naturally, it is your car and your choice, but it is my sincere opinion.
Yeah, a lot of people into keeping something original to the point of not fixing anything and not using it...not me. I believe in originality, and will be using only things that actually Mercedes actually put in 116's. The parts I have are all authentic 116 parts. I buy only OEM new stuff. But my whole point is to have the best car I possibly can for myself, which for me means building the ultimate 116. Vehicles like most other things require maintenance - if you truly want "original" you have to seek out one of the sub-15k miles examples.
Now you're talking!!!
Congratulations Casey!!!
Just one thing, try to control your desire to modify the car, I second ZcarFan's opinion, fix what needs to be fixed, make sure everything is in top shape but keep it original. The interior is truly the soul of any car, it is what you touch every time you drive, and bamboo is such a great interior color! If you have original seats from another car in perfect condition in the right color I would just swap them. My opinion anyway...
Have a great trip and good luck with the new purchase!
Tks,
Joe
Picked up the car last night. What a GREAT deal this was!
Seller spent about 10 minutes warning me about some brake fluid moisture his mechanic had found at one of the calipers when he took it in for new oil and service prior to me picking it up (a courtesy I wasn't expecting). You could clearly tell from his personality that he was a very cautious conservative gentleman who'd baby any car. He said that during his ownership of the car, his longest trip was about 200 miles, and that he'd never driven it over 65. I believe him. In his garage were two new Jaguars. His house was immaculate. Very nice guy.
I closed the deal without a test drive, and proceeded to follow my friend back to his house an hour or so away in LA for the night. Wow, is it a smooth car. It felt more like a W140 than a W116, simply because of how quiet and vibration-free it is. Astounding. When a window is rolled up, you can hear a perfect air seal forming with no drafts. Suspension in perfect shape. Alignment feels a little off and both brakes and power steering are stiffer than they should be but enough to be a big problem for now. Couldn't see too much at night but could definitely tell it's everything I hoped for and more. :)
Sounds great! It seems like you'll be a lot happier with this one than the last 450SEL you purchased. I guess every now and then good deals can be found. My roommate was looking for cars and found a W116 300SD in great condition with Euro headlights and the owner even went to the trouble of fixing the AC and upgrading the condensor, compressor, etc. to R134a. I was impressed. Usually when you see a W116 for sale it is plagued with problems due to neglect.
Oh that's so nice; congratulations! Modify the car to what you desire, because you'll enjoy it more and as a result you may never sell!! A red interior would be just beautiful!!! I like them more than any other colour except black. Just keep all the original parts so it can be returned to original if a future owner desires....
The chrome Bundts weren't original and they look great now!!! You can't be pretty much original..... It's like being a little pregnant!!!!
i just caught this post somehow. cool car. how far away from you is this car? are you doing the road trip because that would be cool, and you should take a bucket load of pics along the way!
enjoy it
Quote from: oversize on 20 July 2012, 05:34 PM
Just keep all the original parts so it can be returned to original if a future owner desires....
The chrome Bundts weren't original and they look great now!!! You can't be pretty much original..... It's like being a little pregnant!!!!
Of course - I never trash an undamaged interior part and will keep the set complete. I must say the chrome bunts do look quite nice. I saw chrome W124/W126 rims in a junkyard today and I must say they looked quite nice too.
2650 miles is the shortest route home but I'm taking a much longer route because I have more stops to make. It would have been cheaper to ship but I wanted a vacation. :)
taking the long way? i like your style (except in bumpers! ;))
this is my 4000km across australia in the 123
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm4TzLR9PQ0
Quote from: Raptelan on 20 July 2012, 10:53 PM
Quote from: oversize on 20 July 2012, 05:34 PM
Just keep all the original parts so it can be returned to original if a future owner desires....
The chrome Bundts weren't original and they look great now!!! You can't be pretty much original..... It's like being a little pregnant!!!!
Of course - I never trash an undamaged interior part and will keep the set complete. I must say the chrome bunts do look quite nice. I saw chrome W124/W126 rims in a junkyard today and I must say they looked quite nice too.
2650 miles is the shortest route home but I'm taking a much longer route because I have more stops to make. It would have been cheaper to ship but I wanted a vacation. :)
Sounds like the beginnings of a great story. Looking forward to the pics and notes (you are taking pictures and keeping notes, yes?)
San Diego:
(http://osss.net/IMG_0179.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0177.JPG)
that is an envious location! enjoy the trip and photograph a lot
WOW that's great! She looks wonderful!!! :D
So it don't half pong now:
(http://osss.net/IMG_0185.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0186.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0187.JPG)
But a glimpse of the near-future interior:
(http://osss.net/IMG_0188.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0189.JPG)
Hi Casey
Ooh, that red just gets better and better!
Have a fabulous trip back home, it's nice to see your renewed enthusiasm (I remember all the bits and pieces you done on the then newly arrived Ivory 300SD - may she too ride again).
Safe travels,
Gavin
That is a beautiful car and the red interior looks like it would be a good match. I look forward to reading about the rest of your trip.
Wow that red's soooo deep in the evening light...
Detailed the car with Meguiar's products:
(http://osss.net/IMG_0213.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0214.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0215.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0216.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0217.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0218.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0219.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0220.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0221.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0222.JPG)
(http://osss.net/IMG_0223.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40379-1/IMG_0224.JPG)
Wow, the SEL looks like new in pictures! You certainly got your money's worth.
Car looks Amazing I need to get a 6.9 now, it will be my next car now Congrats !
Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 24 July 2012, 07:41 PM
Wow, the SEL looks like new in pictures! You certainly got your money's worth.
Well, I bought a bunch of Meguiar's products at the auto parts store and detailed the exterior, so that made all the difference. Cost of the car was under $3000, so yes I do think it was a fantastic deal! :)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40374-1/IMG_0245.JPG)
I spy Euro bumpers! Hehe.
Quote from: Raptelan on 25 July 2012, 06:49 AM
Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 24 July 2012, 07:41 PM
Wow, the SEL looks like new in pictures! You certainly got your money's worth.
Well, I bought a bunch of Meguiar's products at the auto parts store and detailed the exterior, so that made all the difference. Cost of the car was under $3000, so yes I do think it was a fantastic deal! :)
That is a good deal indeed! I've got a '78 280 SE on the way this weekend and it will cost me at least that much to get it to the point where your car is already.
It certainly will be a vacation that you will never forget.
Make sure you replace the window seal before you get her too wet through washing every other day! Or leaving her in the rain.... She looks great since the detail!
Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 25 July 2012, 05:59 PM
I spy Euro bumpers! Hehe.
I found them along with a driver side euro headlight frame (broken out lens) at a random junk yard stop in Las Vegas, on a 280SE. :)
It also had a custom grey interior...
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40368-1/IMG_0247_002.JPG)
Nice shot,
The car looks great, a really excellent buy by the look of things. Yes it's nice to have projects, but sometimes it's nice to just have a good one as well.
It is indeed amazing what you can fit in these cars too... nice one with the Euro bumpers. I've done that with parts as well, with the passenger seat down flat you can fit a lot in there.
The road trip would be a lot of fun too! 8)
Tim
Lovely looking car a great buy. Should look amazing with euro bumpers and lights :)
Converted what I could of the interior to red. I still need carpets, skins, a better driver door panel and pull (the pull I have had a break in the previously-weld-repaired front bracket breaking, would prefer to just find an intact piece than trying to get this one mended again), and under-dash panels. Also the 6 cloth-lined pieces that go around the doors, and the colored pieces that go along the tops of the door windows. Also the vinyl trim that goes along the base of the rear window and parcel shelf. Oh, and a left-side lower A-pillar plastic trim piece.
I don't know what to do about the sills - it depresses me that in early W116's they were all grey, and I don't think red was used in late W116's. That would be a terribly stupid part to try to dye - maybe it's worth looking into custom fabrication? Alternatively the stainless-steel AMG-style sills I've seen in W123's would be even better if there was ever such a thing made for W116's.
Also I figured out that the early and late-style visors are different lengths!! So I cannot use my preferred late-style mirror with the early-style visors (well you sort of can, but you have to move the mirror around to to maneuver the visor around it...I took some pictures to emphasize. It appears the headliner panel was not changed - there's just odd-looking extra space on the centermost edges on late-style headliners that I never noticed before. Also the early-style use black color for the clip, the clip bar, and the screw-on-base piece of the visors. Late-style use the interior color. I might use the only early-style mirror I have out of the '74 and swap late-style bamboo visors into it to make it work. I kind of want to keep the '74 entirely early-style though so am on the lookout for another early-style mirror in perfect shape if anybody's got one. Can anybody confirm or deny for sure if red was ever used in late W116's? In addition to being different lengths, the early-style visors have a screw near the metal arm. I've not tried removing it, but presumably this would allow you to replace the arm independently of the visor? I'd like to do that, because these are a fair bit corroded, at least one of them.
Why are the C-pillars missing?? Well, very interesting that one! Early-style seat belt cutouts were smaller, and need to be enlarged to accomodate late-style seat belts. In uncut early-style C-pillars I've got before, I could cut out the specified shape, and then enlarge it a bit with a knife. I did notice, comparing the original parts side by side, that I cut the green ones wrong actually - I had cut a little extra on the top and bottom of the original hole, but if you put an early and late style panel over one another, you can see that *all* the extra space is supposed to go onto the bottom most curved edge. Just a quick note in case somebody cares - I'll probably dig up the thread on that subject and add this detail. In any case, what is interesting about these C-pillars is that they are extra-durable. I tried to cut them and the knife sunk in only veeeeeery slightly before hitting metal. The entire surrounding of the hole is a sheet of metal, so I cannot cut it. by scraping off what I could, I can see the metal sheet right in the center of the foam. So I'll need to buy a jigsaw or dremel or something to pull this off.
I was worried at first how the red interior parts might clash against the middle red paint. It actually is a quite lovely combination IMHO, very happy with it. I think the headliner should be a parchment color rather than bamboo, but ultimately I'd like to have a red one custom made to match the rest of the interior. :)
I didn't clean any of the red parts yet and they are sticky with old protectant residue and covered in age+junkyard grime, so please forgive that - this is just the starting point...
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40147-1/IMG_0285.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40152-1/IMG_0286.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40157-1/IMG_0287.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40162-1/IMG_0288.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40167-1/IMG_0289.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40172-1/IMG_0290.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40177-1/IMG_0291.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40182-1/IMG_0292.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40187-1/IMG_0293.JPG)
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/40192-1/IMG_0294.JPG)
P.S. I've really been digging this sheepskin steering wheel cover. It's just a cheap generic one that I found at some gas station on the way back but still feels quite wonderful. On the large rubber wheel it almost never slips. Would be about 10 times better if I sewed it to itself on the inside of the wheel to keep it in place, but I'm not going to bother with the effort because it's cheap quality - the wool thickness is different in different places, you can feel the seams quite distinctly, etc. Even with these defects it's still quite enjoyable to drive with. Drove my '74 the other day for an errand and the wheel felt awkward and thin without the wool... But I'm thinking when I order sheepskin seat covers I'll send them the template of the leather from the stitched-leather wheel I had and have them make a sheepskin version to match the specification, then will stitch THAT on. :D
P.P.S. I'm listening to Slim Dusty while W116-tinkering. It just somehow seems appropriate. ;)
I'm seeing red! Just kidding. That red interior is looking good. It is a shame you didn't get the red interior parts I had, because the door panels were in fantastic condition. I think I've only seen red in early W116s. It would be awesome to see the dashboard and center console in red as well. Man, that is a beautiful car.
Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 11 August 2012, 08:25 PM
I'm seeing red! Just kidding. That red interior is looking good. It is a shame you didn't get the red interior parts I had, because the door panels were in fantastic condition. I think I've only seen red in early W116s. It would be awesome to see the dashboard and center console in red as well. Man, that is a beautiful car.
Oh yeah, I forgot about the dashboard, I was going to mention that. Because I am planning to convert the climate control to manual eventually, and because the current dash is brown, I'll be replacing it eventually. It's interesting because my '74 450SE with bamboo interior and manual climate control has a black dash, but '79 300SD with bamboo interior and ACC has brown as does this car. Black would seem more natural against the red I think. But it seems that early W116's had green dashes and some other colors; while late W116's are always brown or black or blue it seems. But as for the dash and center console - I don't think those were ever made in red unfortunately (somebody please correct me if I'm wrong), though they were for the R107.
I black dashes are still available new, but the price being so high, I was thinking it might make more sense just to take an old dash that's still in decent overall shape, and have it fitted with custom-stitched leather like Charlie's 450SEL... Then I could get red. :)
Back when my only MB was one I didn't like the design of (a 1986 W124 300D), I used to plan on tearing out the horrible cracked ugly anyways dash, and crafting my own out of wood. I had some really neat ideas in mind. I also don't like the center console. I was amazed at how much available space is there when I removed bad ones from my cars. The climate controls could have been located up on the wood panel like earlier models, allowing a single or split bench seat. Even with bucket seats, I find that dash layout cleaner (e.g. like the Adenauer). It obviously goes best with a column shifter. The only thing that would go on the transmission tunnel would be window switches if you had power windows. I prefer bucket seats most of the time for everyday driving, but wouldn't it be cool to be able to have a bench seat on hand that you could relatively quickly swap in for, say, your upcoming drive-in date (like cassettes and W116's, some do still exist!)? Hehehehe...
Yeah, I've never seen a W116 dashboard in red, but vinyl paint or having a dashboard restorer redo it in red would be nice. I had wondered if the W116 ever came with a front bench seat (as was optional in the W108), but I've come to the conclusion that the closest thing offered was a column shift and a cushion on the center console, though the center passenger would have no legroom.
If you removed the center console, you could relocate the window switches to the door panels, just like the rear doors have (though they may be more prone to water damage).
Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 12 August 2012, 11:46 AM
I'd liked how the Adenaur is laid out with power windows - it still has the same style of switches, but they're mounted on the transmission tunnel farther towards the front up underneath the dash, up behind where the ashtray is on a W116.
This one doesn't have power windows, but you can get an idea from the picture what I mean:
This picture indicates that they are in a similar position in a W108 too - up in front of the shifter. The W108 puts the hazard switch up centered behind the steering wheel on the wood trim, which I personally feel is a bit more sensible location for this rarely-used switch although staring at it constantly while driving might get old... If this were a console shift, the window switches would be the only thing left on the transmission tunnel.
Center console cushions were indeed an option in the W116. I have seen several pictures of them in factory brochures. I don't think they are practical, though, since the person sitting in the middle would have to sit side-saddle. I've only seen the W108 bench seats in single configuration.
I know you can use a W108-style steering wheel on the earlier W116 columns (like the column shift setup I sold you).
Quote from: Squiggle Dog on 12 August 2012, 09:21 PM
I know you can use a W108-style steering wheel on the earlier W116 columns (like the column shift setup I sold you).
Unfortunately the 108 wheel is not very nice. The ring in a W108 is purely decorational and cannot move (or maybe it still does only the horn, but not the blinkers). It's not even round. Or chrome. I'd prefer to stick with an early W116 wheel with the chrome trim bits around the horn pad that the later style lost over that. I just like that earlier round ring with the finger grooves all around and paddles for easier signaling. Maybe one day I'll have to get an Adenauer. ;)
Quote from: Raptelan on 12 August 2012, 11:36 PMUnfortunately the 108 wheel is not very nice.
You are mistaken, it is very nice. It's one of the last wheels they made that had real style and wasn't just a soft rubber ring for clumsy people to safely bang their heads into. ::)
Quote from: Raptelan on 12 August 2012, 11:36 PM
The ring in a W108 is purely decorational and cannot move (or maybe it still does only the horn, but not the blinkers).
Yes, the ring operates the horn but it does not operate the indicators. It's not purely a decoration.
Quote from: Raptelan on 12 August 2012, 11:36 PM
It's not even round.
This is true, but if it were round it would obscure the view of the instruments through the wheel.
Quote from: Raptelan on 12 August 2012, 11:36 PMOr chrome.
The horn ring is some sort of chromed metal, probably steel.
Quote from: Beastie on 13 August 2012, 12:14 AM
You are mistaken, it is very nice. It's one of the last wheels they made that had real style and wasn't just a soft rubber ring for clumsy people to safely bang their heads into. ::)
Oops, I meant to type "as", not "very". I'd prefer one over a W116 wheel in a W108 - I just don't think the W108 wheel is nice enough to justify putting into a W116. If I knew a certain way to put a Type 300 wheel into a W116, I would make it happen, though. :D
QuoteYes, the ring operates the horn but it does not operate the indicators. It's not purely a decoration.
Ahh, good to know... But it's the blinker control I really like about the earlier ones.
QuoteThis is true, but if it were round it would obscure the view of the instruments through the wheel.
That quote about clumsy people safely banging their heads into the wheel? Insert here. I am quite confident in my abilities to gather required information from the gauges even with a round horn ring. Didn't the earlier vehicles also have instruments obscured by the ring?
Depending on my height and seat position, other parts of the wheel might interfere with my ability to see the cluster too. Maybe I should eliminate the steering wheel entirely and install a computer to control the steering box and gas/brake based on input from a joystick mounted in the center console. Hmm, but what to use the fire button for? Or instead of analog I could use an old 8-directional one from an Atari and be able to choose between neutral (center position) and the following options: FLOOR IT, HARD LEFT, HARD RIGHT, SKID TIRES.
Quote
The horn ring is some sort of chromed metal, probably steel.
I'd buy that it may have originally been polished and shiny, but I've never seen one that looked chrome. Out of a half dozen or so I've come across at junkyards, it's always a dull grey color. Same in pictures online. Whereas the type 300 rings always seem to be gleaming chrome even though older, so I think it's a better-quality product.
I've had dreams about this wheel for over a year now:
(http://www.fivestarwebdesign.com/ebay/mercedes-35-12-5-11/A2.JPG)
That, plus a Type 300 horn ring, somehow fitted to a W116, would be absolute perfection. :)
Ehh, I like to keep the cars as original as possible, and from what I've seen the swapped out steering wheels always look out of place and... wrong, somehow. But whatever floats your boat, it's your car. :)
Quote from: Raptelan on 13 August 2012, 12:41 AMOut of a half dozen or so I've come across at junkyards, it's always a dull grey color.
Almost as though the chrome has all flaked off. ;)
Just for reference and to see what they're supposed to look like:
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s499/habanosbooie/P8120031-1.jpg)
(http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s499/habanosbooie/P8120030-1.jpg)
Highly reflective, mirror-finish, chrome. :)
I'm not sure about whether or not the horn was in the way on older models because I have very limited experience with models other than the 108 and 116.
Quote from: Beastie on 13 August 2012, 01:31 AM
Almost as though the chrome has all flaked off. ;)
Oh weird that is shiny. What causes the chrome to flake off? All the exterior chrome just holds up forever...
I'm not sure why that chrome might not stand up as well as the chrome on the outside. Perhaps it's a slightly different metal.
The steering wheels on both of the W108's I've owned have had good chrome and all of the ones I've seen over the years have had chrome on the horn too, if a little rusty or worn. I've never actually seen one with no signs of chrome on there at all. I've done a google image search for 'W108 steering wheel' and all of the wheels that come up seem to have really nice chrome on them also.
We're probably getting a bit off topic, but the W108 steering wheels were offered in both chrome and matte chrome finishes (most were made with matte chrome because there was less glare from the sun--it seems as though the matte chrome is actually a dull clearcoat that was painted over the chrome). My 1968 W110 200D had a W108-style steering wheel with the matte chrome finish.
My roommate has a 1965 W111 220S with the round horn ring. It does get in the way of the instrument panel, but the ring is so thin that it doesn't obscure enough of it to be a problem.
Quote from: Casey
I'd liked how the Adenaur is laid out with power windows - it still has the same style of switches, but they're mounted on the transmission tunnel farther towards the front up underneath the dash, up behind where the ashtray is on a W116.
This one doesn't have power windows, but you can get an idea from the picture what I mean:
This picture indicates that they are in a similar position in a W108 too - up in front of the shifter. The W108 puts the hazard switch up centered behind the steering wheel on the wood trim, which I personally feel is a bit more sensible location for this rarely-used switch although staring at it constantly while driving might get old... If this were a column shift, the window switches would be the only thing left on the transmission tunnel:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$T2eC16hHJHIE9nysfqDLBQL(BmOSVg~~60_3.JPG)
Quote from: gavin116 on 14 July 2012, 02:44 AM
I only have two square keys with my car, and I have an unused metal tang only part of a key, but I think it is a 'driver's' key and not a 'service key'. I presume the round key is a service key, and lacks a few of the details of the driver's key, thus locking you out of the boot/trunk and the glovebox. What is the wavy pice of aluminium?
Actually the round key also opens everything, so I'm not sure what's up or if valet keys were even available with this key style.
Quote from: Casey on 13 August 2012, 12:41 AM
I've had dreams about this wheel for over a year now
Here's a couple pictures of a Nardi in a W116:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$T2eC16dHJHgE9n0yHCmlBQbIsjvI7g~~_4.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqZHJCoE+hGR4352BQbIssufng~~_4.JPG)
Each to their own I guess lol
Hmmmm..... not in a 116.... Nardis look great in a Pagoda and some other British and Italian cars but in a more contemporary MB such as a 116 or 107 there is too much contrast with the molded plastic parts, just my opinion anyway.
Tks,
Joe
Here's the ultimate set of 116 accessories, IMHO. I pulled them off PeachPart's website, but didn't bother to see if they are still for sale:
(http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/97298d1321428707-amg-your-w116-picture-308.jpg)
UPDATE: 2008. Sorry fellows. Ahhh the irony.
Drool!!!! :) Can you find out John? I'd be interested....