w126 Interior Restoration

[RossCormack]

Does anyone know if there were changes to the interior of the w126 from early to late models? I am looking to replace an interior of a 1981 280SE and I need to know if the door cards and seats from a later model (1989 420SE) will fit. They certainly look the same but I wouldn't want to buy the wrong thing. Hope someone can help!

 

[219]

They certainly will fit ; the main difference is between the rear door cards on SE and SEL models .

There are also styling differences between cloth/leather patterns on pre and post facelift cars .

The door cards on the later cars have a diagonally ribbed pattern , whereas the earlier ones were more plain .

The seat backs and squabs of the earlier ( Generation 1) cars generally had seams which ran lengthwise with the car , while those on the later cars were sewn in transversely .

Early cars usually had zebrano wood , while later ones usually have burr walnut ; switchgear is different between early/late cars too .

If I get the chance later , I will put up interior pics of my 500 and the 280 I sold recently .

 

[RossCormack]

Thank you very much for your help with this