W123 Sun Visor Repair

[curmudgeon]

I have a 1983 300D Turbo (W123) with sun visor lighted mirror inserts that have broken cover hinges.

Has anyone had any luck using inserts from newer sun visors to replace W123 model sun visor inserts?

The length, width and appearance of the inserts from newer models appear to be the same as the W123 (and the newer hinges are better). You can buy inserts from Mercedes for newer models for about $125 each and you can buy complete sun visors on Ebay for about $30 a pair. The problem with the Ebay sun visors is finding a way to remove the insert from the visor without damaging the insert. I believe the inserts are held in place by glue (hot glue, I think).

[VLayton]

I don't think repairing and getting them back into good appearence is very feasible, but I could be wrong.

Those buggers MSRP well over $300 each, and I've seen some on Ebay for about $150 or so new, no claim they are genuine or OEM....$30 a pair sounds too low for nice ones...

[AnthroProfessor]

Some of the prices on MB parts don't make sense. I could use a lighted sun visor for my 1985 300D, but MSRP over $300? That's more than what the alternator goes for. That's a third of the price for a dash unit right there.

Next time I am at the dealership, I will find out how much they will sell it to me. I am curious.

[Johnson Chan]

Actually it is very easy to "rebuild" the sunvisors, if you have interior repair skills, all you need to do is remove the frame (the frame cracks many times) and put in a used one and you can use hot glue or use what I use (gorilla glue) and use some weights to hold it down firm. You will see the wires once you remove the old frame. You will need a solder gun for this. Use a digital multimeter to check for continuity BEFORE you glue it on.

If just the lid hindge is bad, you can use a flat scredriver to pry out the old one and put in a new one.

The trick to getting it to look good is to use the same frames from that era of a car, NOT the newer styles from 190's and 124's, etc.

[benzbum]

Some of the prices on MB parts don't make sense. I could use a lighted sun visor for my 1985 300D, but MSRP over $300? That's more than what the alternator goes for. That's a third of the price for a dash unit right there.

Next time I am at the dealership, I will find out how much they will sell it to me. I am curious.

I just inquired at Duval last week for the price on replacement visors for my 1985 300D TurboDiesel (155 Beige MB Tex). Right side is discontinued. Left side - only two remaining in Germany. Price quoted = $322.50 for just the left side.

[VLayton]

It figures you would have the skills to pull it off, ;) question is, ARE just the inserts still available? Any one got a number for W123 visors?

[Johnson Chan]

Vince,

If you still have that drivers side palomino sunvisor for the computer "trade" we did, I would like that now. Also, I would like my certificate for the car show from back in July or August 2006.

[VLayton]

I'm sorry I didn't realize I owed you a visor! I've been clearing this place out, let's meet up and hopefully I'll find something you like...

Cheers

[AnthroProfessor]

only two visors remaining for sale. No wonder they are at a mark up.

It does not make sense that they are discontinued. I am sure if they were mass produced and priced justly, they would still sell.

What happened with the guarantee that Mercedes has every part for all vintages even if it has to create it especially for one customer? Maybe Mercedes being part of DiamlerCrysler was not such a good idea from the enthusiast point of view.

[VLayton]

only two visors remaining for sale. No wonder they are at a mark up.

It does not make sense that they are discontinued. I am sure if they were mass produced and priced justly, they would still sell.

What happened with the guarantee that Mercedes has every part for all vintages even if it has to create it especially for one customer? Maybe Mercedes being part of DiamlerCrysler was not such a good idea from the enthusiast point of view.


You called MB for new palomino visors and they said only two left, in USA, worldwide?

Fear not, the hubcaps went "out of production" recently, they claimed there was only 2 left in the system at $133 each, but now they are back at $154.

I can handle these interruptions, it's the superceeding I don't like, I don't think colored first aid trays are available anymore, as well as dashboards or period-correct gauges....

[benzbum]

You called MB for new palomino visors and they said only two left, in USA, worldwide?

Fear not, the hubcaps went "out of production" recently, they claimed there was only 2 left in the system at $133 each, but now they are back at $154.

I can handle these interruptions, it's the superceeding I don't like, I don't think colored first aid trays are available anymore, as well as dashboards or period-correct gauges....

I got my information from Duval (the online MB dealer who offers good prices on parts - Gainesville, Florida) just last week. In my color (155 Beige MB Tex) the right side is discontinued and there are only two of the left side available world-wide and both are in Germany. I can have either one or both for $322.50.

I'm not sure what you mean by the colored first aid trays, but I just bought a replacement lid for my first aid kit from my local dealer not more than two months ago. I believe it was about $30-$40 (I bought several other items - filters, fuses, bulbs, etc. and the total bill was $70.00 - the first aid kit lid was the "big ticket" item). My lid is the interior color (beige) and I had it in 2-3 days of ordering it from the dealer. Availability on that item was not an issue.

The dash is another issue. I contacted the MB Classis center and was told they are no longer in production. One of my local dealers said it was listed in the parts system at a price of around $900.00. Someone else elsewhere on this forum (I believe it may have been Rusty) mentioned in a post somewhere that you could still get the dash in black but that it wasn't available in any other color. Mine is black but I'm not sure that I am that eager to part with $900.00.

I hope you're right and that these "out of production" items make a glorious reappearance in the not-too-distant future. I'd hate to think of what might happen if the parts supply for these great vehicles starts to dry-up.

[Johnson Chan]

For the 2 drivers side visor left in the world, are they palomino or blue or what color?

Sooner or later they will be made aftermarket or MB classic center will have them made again. Its a supply and demand thing.

It costs money to make parts and keep them in stock, etc. If people are not willing to pay for it, then its not worth there time.

Seriously, most "good condition" w123's are going for $5000 average, not too many people will spend $900+labor for a dashboard, how many will they sell 20-40 or so? Try taking the moulding for a dash and have only 20-40 or so made and see how much the factory quotes you...

VINCE- yes about a year ago, you promised a palomino visor for my car. We looked at the drivers side one you took off Tylers 83 sedan and it was cracked and then we were looking at the lighted one off one of your wagons and you were saying "its getting dark outside" or "im not in the mood to pull parts", etc. etc. and time went by. The deal was for an oil cap, drivers side headlight door, fog lamp, and sunvisor. I am still missing the sunvisor and would like it... And how is the certificate coming along?

[VLayton]

VINCE- yes about a year ago, you promised a palomino visor for my car. We looked at the drivers side one you took off Tylers 83 sedan and it was cracked and then we were looking at the lighted one off one of your wagons and you were saying "its getting dark outside" or "im not in the mood to pull parts", etc. etc. and time went by. The deal was for an oil cap, drivers side headlight door, fog lamp, and sunvisor. I am still missing the sunvisor and would like it... And how is the certificate coming along?

Well hopefully you're not too upset with me... :o

I'll find the archive CD of the certificates, go buy the correct type label tape, have the certificate made, dig through the 2006 show records (from september btw) and send it your address on file. Sorry for the delay. I have problems only dealing with the pertinant issue in front of me sometimes, like when I have to move all my cars offsite on short notice, for example. I have a calendar featuring your car for you as well, (as well as a few dozen other prople) Of course I found an error on your page after assembling several dozen and had to re-do them. :rolleyes: Then that and several other projects got severely off track due to my February from ****. :( The days go by way way too fast.

I thought we looked at the wagon visor and it too was unacceptable, and I was only supposed to be looking out for another one. I could be wrong. Regardless, I'll pull the one I have first thing this morning and it will be be available to you whenever you want it.

Regards,

[benzbum]

For the 2 drivers side visor left in the world, are they palomino or blue or what color?
See post #5 and post #11 (155 Beige MB Tex).

[Johnson Chan]

Steve- ah sorry I missed that on post 5 and 11. Does anybody have any ideas on how many palomino ones are left? Palomino and blue are more common interior colors so hopefully its cheaper and/or there are more availble.

Vince-

- For the w123's license plates, did you blur them out for the calender?

- For the certificate, any date on when it will be ready?

- I will call you tommorow or vice versa, just make sure you return my call if I leave you a answering machine message if you are unable to answer the phone...

[VLayton]

Vince-

- For the w123's license plates, did you blur them out for the calender?
...


Of course!


(For the readership's info, the visor IS no good and NOW it's a steering wheel ;) )

[Johnson Chan]

Yeah and for readership info I will get my steering wheel and certificate on March 16-17. No excuses Vince!