Ok, the kids went to Pismo Beach for the weekend. Grama's watching the baby. So I have to do something cheap.

Started off by picking up some window shades for rear side windows at WalMart. They're the right height for the 123 cars just a little short in length, but they work fine as I can see through in front of them for vision. WalMart also had some limo tint that is get this "removable and reuseable". It really isn't bad stuff. Only took a couple of hours to trim to fit nice and install on the rear window. The side windows were much easier as all the shades took were a couple of spits and sticks with the suction cups.

IMPORTANT: While trimming the tint for the back window do not use a razor blade on the interior side of the window. YOU WILL DAMAGE THE DEFROSTER GRID!!!! I put mine on the exterior side to do the trimming then cut it about 1/4" shorter in height and about 3/8" less in width over all to fit the inside.

Now the real work begins. I have a donor 300 Turbo (poor subject ) that I removed the AC compressor and AC hoses from. The hoses are going to be sent out this week to be rebuilt. I should have done this while I had the motor out of the 240D. I wasn't sure how good the motor was that I put in so I didn't go into the details of the AC at that time. I wish I did, it would have been much easier to do with the motor out. As it turns out the motor is great and the wife likes the car so the AC will be used. It's a shame that the new radiator that was in the 300 turbo got damaged in the accident. It would have made a nice cooling system for the 240D. I may try the spare I'll have just to see. Just getting the AC hoses off the 300 turbo was real pain. I don't think Id like to do that at U-Pull-it. Now I know why people pay big $ to have it done.

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1984 280SEL, 62,000 miles
Euro model in the USA
1983 300D (Totaled out 10/2004)
New Factory Mint Green paint
Palomino int
1982 240D (Steak dinner for two)

Actually the defroster grids on these cars are laminated inside the glass in the inner layer, so it would not harm the grid...however, using a razor on the glass is a bad idea in general So I still agree there.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

the pros lay the film backwards on the outside of the window and trim it there, then the peel it and squeegie on the inside....

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

You can feel the grid from the inside on mine and I thought I'd pass that along. Total cost so far less than $20. Cool huh

__________________
1984 280SEL, 62,000 miles
Euro model in the USA
1983 300D (Totaled out 10/2004)
New Factory Mint Green paint
Palomino int
1982 240D (Steak dinner for two)

Does yours have the window with the lines real close together/hard to see? Or are they spaced farther apart.....mine still has the original window and when I clean it I can't feel anything when I rub it with my fingers, its smooth on the inside and outside. The non-oem replacement windows do have the lines on the inside as you said though, that may be it.


I would like to have tinted windows though, so this stuff from wal-mart looks ok? Does it get affected by the cold/heat/sun? It'd help keep the interior a tad cooler since I have no A/C....

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Mine has the defroster lines that are further appart. I think the window is original, but who knows. The material seems to be durable and goes on like any other tint except it is thicker and kid of rubbery. No real instructions, but you can remove and reapply the material which I like. I have a couple of small bubbles at the defroster grid so I will be giving it another try. I don't think I'll try to burn them out by turning the defroster on though. I really didn't want to go with the other tint as I know it's hell to take off again unless you just break out the glass.

__________________
1984 280SEL, 62,000 miles
Euro model in the USA
1983 300D (Totaled out 10/2004)
New Factory Mint Green paint
Palomino int
1982 240D (Steak dinner for two)

i am pretty sure the older cars with the clearly visible lines maybe 3/4" apart are on the inside of the glass and can be cut.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.