Accessories

[JRobitaille]

Hi, I LOVE my C240, but the one thing I regret is not getting heated seats. Would like to get them but MB dealer is very expensive where else can I go?? I want it done right from the start. Also would like to put a spoiler in the back any suggestions on type? I heard some make a humming noise as you drive.. Thanks

[ALUEB]

get heated sits, the local body shop I use can install heating pads in the drivers seat, for $250. A local trim shop charges $300 installed. Also, I believe www.autoanything.com has the pads and wiring and switch for about $150 if you are a DIY type. So they are available but pricey? I have an AMG type of spoiler on my car, I got if off Ebay, and it is decent quality. There were some install problems and if you use a carwash with those big round brushes you won't any longer as one of those threads gets caught in the spoiler it will pull if off. I saw on Ebay an spoiler, that tapes on with 3M body tape it is a sweep back design and not a stand up like mine. In hindsight, if I would have seen that one first I would have gotten that instead of the one I have. No holes to drill etc. I had mine mounted by a body shop I have used for years, so they are pretty good. I had to bring it back twice in two years as the screws loosen and the thread inserts fell out once. Do a Ebay search, and see if you can find the tape on spoiler. I also added a rear window spoiler that I order from Germany, glued into the rear window channel and has not be a problem and looks nasty as the kids say today.

[dolebludger]

I'd be wary of a spoiler that attaches with 3M adhesive tape. I bought the chrome headlight rings for my W 203 C, and after a couple of years, one became "unglued" and flew off while I was driving in parts unknown.

If ahybody is having trouble keeping the bolts tight on their spoiler (or anything else) use "Loctite" blue formula on the threads. This will keep them tight, but removeable with a good bit of torque. For a non-removeable instalation, use "Loctite" red formula.

[ALUEB]

that uses the 3M tape. Some pieces have been on the car for 4 years. I did have another trim piece start to come off, but I just took it off and retaped it. You can buy this 3M tape at Auto Zone or if you use or need a lot www.eastwood.com has large rolls of this tape and it is wider then Auto Zone's. Yes, the body shop that mounted it for me, and I brought it back ans the thread insert that holds the very thick screw had come out. He tried several different types of glues, before he found one that would hold. It seems the spoiler is a good design but the template puts it a little too far back on the trunk, The shop owner caught this before the drilling started and had the installer move it forward a hair so it would sit flat. But as I said the Thread insert has come out twice and the screw, well Locktite blue held it tight for a year, and he had to redo it again. I am thankful he doesn't charge me for all this, but I have had a few restoration done over the years, and my son also, and my wife had a few good accidents, I am a good customer. IMHO after going thru all this; I personally would go with a taped spoiler. Also, not all those tapes are 3M. 3M body tapes have a reddish orange plasti/paper to protect it. It is patented. I know this as 3M is a client of mine. Other makers have different colors and some have a dull red but it is not 3M. What I do, if the tape is not preinstalled on a piece I use the tape I bought from Eastwood as I know it is the correct product.

[dolebludger]

Well, what happened to me was that I didn't get the chrome headlight surround taped back on soon enough, and it blew off to parts unknown! Since the air flow at the headlight area would seem to be "helping" in holding the surround on, and the airflow at a rear spoiler would seem to be working to remove the spoiler, I'd be scared to death to install a spoiler with just adhesive tape.

Al:

By the way, the red colored adhesive tape-on material has much more hold than the other types you mention. Takes longer to set up. Don't put it on paint and then remove it after it has set, as you'll remove some paint too. It would take some serious scraping to get it off plastic and such, and this would scar the underlying material. Use this stuff for PERMANENT instalations only.

[ALUEB]

Also, the residue is really not hard to get off the body. Alcohol and one of those plastic squeezges does the job. Also a hair drier helps to loosen the tape. I mis-mounted one of my headlight chrome trim. It was harder to get the tape off the trim then the car and not a scratch on the car. Also, even in hot weather I warm up the area with a hair drier, the hotter it is the better it sticks. Don't use a heat gun unless you have experience with them, you'll melt your paint. The 8 on my C280 emblem fell off last winter. I bought a new emblem from Mercedes, cleaned the area with alcohol and then warmed it up with a hair drier. It will be a year at the end of the month, and it is still there. Here is another tip, up a thick piece of dental floss to help get a taped on emblem or whatever off, also a heat source and draw the floss with both hands under the piece. Heat it first, unless your lucky enough to have a stand mounted drier, Then alcohol. Goo be gone works also, but alcohol IMHO does a better job. If you use a towel, microfiber, won't scratch. Most cars today have the moldings mounted with tape, years ago, they were mounted with plugs into holes in the body and rust, rust, rust. The 3M tape is probably one of the greatest invention, next to Velcro, of the last century!