Sl320 -No cigarette lighter.

[ed_d82]

Hi, I've recently purchased an 1996 SL320 which I'm chuffed with, however, there isn't a car lighter on it! The previous owner said it was an optional addition back in 1996 which makes sense, but leaves me in a bit of an awkward position as I'm pretty reliant on my tom tom and bluetooth parrot. Looking in the owners manual this would be in the cubby hole but there is no ashtray but an additional cup holder.

Any ideas if these are easy to fit? and whether it would cost a lot to fit one?

 

[BTB 500]

Hi, I've recently purchased an 1996 SL320 which I'm chuffed with, however, there isn't a car lighter on it! The previous owner said it was an optional addition back in 1996 which makes sense, but leaves me in a bit of an awkward position as I'm pretty reliant on my tom tom and bluetooth parrot. Looking in the owners manual this would be in the cubby hole but there is no ashtray but an additional cup holder.

The cigarette lighter was not optional (on UK spec. cars anyway), so it sounds like someone has done a DIY mod. on yours. There was a (no cost) factory option to have a cupholder in place of the cassette holder ... you can also fit a plain storage bin in this spot, which is what my car has now:

You can see the cigarette lighter above - how does that compare to yours?

It's likely the wiring for yours is still there, you can buy a socket from Halfords etc ... the issue will be where you put it!

 

[ed_d82]

Hi Bill thanks for the detailed response, I've checked and the cup holders seem like genuine Mercedes parts as they feel like good quzlity with a smooth sliding action. There is a rubber mat on the bottom of the cubby hole, I'd imagine the power supply is located under it.

cupholder.jpg picture by ed_d82 - Photobucket

Hope the above image worked! Will speak to Halfords and see if the can fashion one in somewhere.

Will let you know how I get on!

 

[ed_d82]

Hi Bill thanks for the detailed response, I've checked and the cup holders seem like genuine Mercedes parts as they feel like good quzlity with a smooth sliding action. There is a rubber mat on the bottom of the cubby hole, I'd imagine the power supply is located under it.

cupholder.jpg picture by ed_d82 - Photobucket

Hope the above image worked! Will speak to Halfords and see if the can fashion one in somewhere.

Will let you know how I get on!

 

[BTB 500]

Interesting, I've never heard of a double cupholder fitting ... maybe it was a part for the US market. Does seem bizarre now to lose the cigarette lighter, but I suppose years ago if you didn't smoke it never got used.

Actually, I assumed your car was a 'facelift' version but I guess if an early '96 it might not be? You only seem to have a single sliding cover for the centre console ... mine has two, one at the front and one at the back.

 

[Doodle]

Bill, my car still has the twin setup, exactly like yours (except I need to recover the rear cover as the handle needs gluing back on!)

 

[reflexboy]

Please don't let Halfords touch your pride and joy!

 

[ed_d82]

Haha, yeah you're right I've still got new owner's syndrome where i find myself sitting in the car for no other reason than to smell the leather! I guess with my tom tom and mobile fully charged it gives me about 3 hrs to get where I'm going before having to rely on the position of the sun and wind direction. its a Aug 96 facelift, i guess if you didn't smoke in 96 then there wasn't a need for one! I'm going to lift the rubber mat and see what's under there, looking likely though that I'll have to make do without

 

[grober]

What you need is assembly 5 ---- A1298100030 cryptically called "ashtray." There are several colour coded options according to your trim. It will be expensive as all these flexible segmented wooden topped items are. You will have item 35 the pocket/cupholder option.

 

[neilz]

Please don't let Halfords touch your pride and joy!

Did an amazing job on my C124 - ran so much better after taking it in! And the staff there were really helpful (after cancelling my appointment twice, that is ). Their "fuel service" made so much difference.

But yes I've heard leaving your brakes or wheels in their hands isn't a good idea!

 

[ed_d82]

Hi grober thanks for digging out the diagram... who'd of thought huh?... "ashtray"... Strange .

If its going to be an expensive fit i think I'll leave it -I'll keep my eyes peeled for someone breaking an r129 as you never know.

Neilz - glad your experience went well, although i managed to get unleaded 97 at tesco yesterday for 133 which i thought was remarkably cheap but I'll bear that in mind re the fuel service. thanks for the tip.

 

[neilz]

Hi grober thanks for digging out the diagram... who'd of thought huh?... "ashtray"... Strange .

If its going to be an expensive fit i think I'll leave it -I'll keep my eyes peeled for someone breaking an r129 as you never know.

Neilz - glad your experience went well, although i managed to get unleaded 97 at tesco yesterday for 133 which i thought was remarkably cheap but I'll bear that in mind re the fuel service. thanks for the tip.

No no no no no! Halfords fuel service is what they call a service which is meant to improve fuel economy. I just used it as includes oil and oil filter change, and an engine clean (they had to do 2 applications it was so full of cr*p! (though I was only charged for one). (Amongst other things)

 

[BTB 500]

I'll keep my eyes peeled for someone breaking an r129 as you never know.

A breakers will be your best option as the 'ashtray' setup is standard ... I've never seen one like yours before. You just need to get lucky on the colour!

 

[bassist]

Mine has the same set up with the twin cup holder and the lighter is in the ashtray under the radio.
'96 facelift.
Can't photo it as it's tucked up for the winter.

 

[ed_d82]

Just managed to find a chap breaking a sl320 with the mushroom interior and have purchased the centre console containing the cassette holder, ashtray and lighter - but hadn't really put much thought into how the ruddy hell I was going to fit it!! I've seen a few videos on youtube and it looks like the only way to do this is to remove the entire wooden dash - is there a cheat or do I have to risk cracking the dash to make the swap? Has anyone completed this job before? Also will there even be a connection under the exiting cup holders?

 

[AnilS]

i also have the twin cupholders and no cigraette lighter. Maybe it was a "delete" option on the non smokers pack

 

[aquanaut]

Would your tom tom etc run off a battery charger such as power gorilla or hypermac, all available on ebay. Probably easier than a retrofit!

 

[ed_d82]

Yeah I guess if you weren't a smoker in 1996 then you didn't need the power, I've actually managed to source a ashtray and lighter for the little compartment under the radio. I'm going to see if a local garage can fit it for me... failing that a power gorilla/hypermac is a good shout!

 

[aquanaut]

Powerbee Portable Power Bank for nearly all UK mobile phones, Ipods, PSP's, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, Tom Tom, mp3 players, and nearly all handhelds in the UK: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors
This might be the thing..

 

[aquanaut]

Powerbee Portable Power Bank for nearly all UK mobile phones, Ipods, PSP's, Nintendo DS, Sony PSP, Tom Tom, mp3 players, and nearly all handhelds in the UK: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors
This might be the thing..