500E / E500 Carpet color question
 

I am still in search for a replacement carpet for my '92 500E.
Carpet part number 124.680.36.41 (main rear center section) Color code 8424 - cream/champagne/parchment/beige - not really sure of the name!
Mercedes Dealer can't get it, MB europe does not stock it anymore. They have dark grey/black and a lighter cream (color 8F32). I believe this color was the color to supersede 8424 in the 94 model year as the 8424 was only listed as 92-93.
I have a complete set of carpet in 8424 except the above piece.

My options at this point are:
1. Keep the old carpet - ratty but still ok (6/10)
2. Buy the piece in 8F32 and dye it to match 8424.
3. Swap all current 8424 pieces with 8F32 pieces.

I am not sure I want to convert all my carpet to the new color or just buy that one unavailable piece and try to dye it.
I am concerned the mbtex and leather will not match well as it has a bit of a green tint to the cream color (vs. yellow in 8F32)
and the 8F32 color will seem a bit stark or make the door panels seem dark / greenish.

Can any of you owners with cream interiors confirm the color codes?
Anybody have any ideas about where I might find the correct color piece sitting in a dealer warehouse somewhere?

Thanks for any input.

Bryan, Get yourself a copy of the STAR and ccontact one of those restoration pros. They go through this same sort of thing routinely and are probably your best bet at figuring this thing out

Good Idea Albert !
Thanks

One other question I had was did the mbtex color change?
Not sure of my color code, but it is a bit darker than current colors
I am curious if the 94 color was different.

Any 94 owners have any input.

Check this place out:

http://www.gahh.com/side1.htm

They have color samples on line - and complete seat kits for 500E's. I just had a carpet repair done in my wife's 300TE and the upholsterer used GAHH material. The material looks good, and the color matched the 300TE's unusual creme beige color. I'm not sure if they have pre-cut pieces - my upholsterer just bought the material.

Thanks Mark !
 

I was familiar with GAHH, but haven't looked there as I was under the impression that they could not do molded carpet pieces.
I will give them a call.

GAHH
 

I contacted GAHH, very nice folks. Very helpful.
They don't have the part I am looking for, so I think my only
options are change color or re-dye the 8F32 to 8424.

They sent me some samples of mbtex and velour carpet.
The GAHH carpet colors Beige and Lt Beige are very good matches. The Lt Beige is actually not an 8F32, but I think it is a better looking color. The mbtex and carpet samples are probably superior to the MB oem parts. The only problem is the carpet
is not molded but for straight pieces (rocker panels) it is perfect.
Even footwell pieces could be made with a rubber/foam/silicone material molded to the floorpan. The only tough piece is the back section as it has some pretty complex curves.

At this point, I think I may go with the 8F32 color. It makes the door panels appear more greenish but I think it looks pretty good.

Ask Rich at www.mbpartsonline.com (Potomac Auto in Maryland); they might have a nice used piece for you from a 1992 500E with a tan interior.

I shot that part number to a contact in Germany to see if they can scrounge up that carpet thru a dealer parts locator. Hopefully, they can find a NOS one for you. :)

I spoke with George at Leatherique about re-dying.
He suggested that I look for NOS or good used carpet.

Thanks Jim!
I will contact PG.