Repair or replace W124 centre console

[fenns]

As this is my first post may I begin by saying how useful I have found this forum and to express my thanks to all those expert contributors who have already unwittingly assisted a mechanical dufus via their postings

I have owned a wonderful 1992 W210 2.6 for 12 years but it's gearbox has finally died and it is time to move onwards and upwards.


I am on the brink of buying a 1996 W124 (subject to the vendor recognising current economic realities ) and one of the few 'issues' concerns a 3cm split in the wood veneer of the central console - the gear surround area that also houses the window switches etc.

Is this repairable or must a replacement console be sourced? Any guidence as to the cost of either option would be greatly appreciated and I'll factor this in to my negotiations. My concern is that the only option will be a total replacement of the interior veneers to avoid mis-match.

Many thanks

 

[NW_Merc]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-W124...ryZ10398QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-W124...ryZ10398QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mercedes-W124...ryZ10398QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Also a complete walnut set

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FULL-WALNUT-W...ryZ10398QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[fenns]

What can I say NW Merc ....other than "thank you very much" perhaps ?

 

[bolide]

The first three are Zebrano and the full set is for a pre-facelift car. I'm not 100% sure but I think the door wood on the pre-facelift cars is a different size / shape and that they didn't have wood on the dash

Why don't you just ask the vendor to replace the affected piece? Yes, Walnut does vary in figuring and in colour & tone but the late cars were pretty consistent

If the car is OK in all other respects I can't see how it would be a deal-breaker - it'd be like not buying a house because you didn't like the wallpaper

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Frank O' Phile]

didnt 'partsspecialist' (gareth) have a new one for sale recently?

 

[SilverSaloon]

didnt 'partsspecialist' (gareth) have a new one for sale recently?

Yes but it sold i think.


I actually have a burr walnut set for sale. It has a few scuffs on it, but its perfectly acceptable. It has 4 electric windows, mirror switch and child switch. According to Gareth any new ones now made have all the holes in them and you ahve to use blanking plates, so probably better off getting a good original 2nd hand replacement.

I think pre and post facelift ones are interchangable, but you need to swap the plastic button holders as i did on a previous thread depending on your existing ones. Easy to do (see thread linked below). The hole where the shifter goes may also be smaller on newer wood. This is actually better as the original surround still fits, but you can also fit later W202 surrounds - in my case i fitted a R170 chrome surround. You cant do this on the earlier ones that have a bigger hole.

Not worth repairing it - replacements, especially 2nd hand are cheap. The part is about £120 new - 2nd hand between £20 and £50 i suspect. I'm wanting £30 for mine but i'll do free postage.

i doubt you will notice the difference between the other wood and the new wood aslong as its the right type. I dont.


Some info here on the wood:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=59795&highlight=wood


Dont turn down the car purely on the condition of this wood. Its very easy to replace and very common aswell to need to.