R129 Door Sill Removal - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stats007 · #1 02-14-2006, 01:03 PM

Does anyone know how to remove the door sills on a '01 SL500?

jjrodger · #2 02-14-2006, 01:22 PM

Driver's seat
adjust all the way back.

Cover (1) above screw (2)
press off.

Screw (2)
screw out.

Panelling (3)
remove upward.

Rubber strip (4)
pull out starting at center and remove toward front and rear.

Screws (5)
screw out (2 each).

Panelling (6)
remove toward outside.

Screws (7)
screw out (8 each).

Screws (8 and 9)
screw out.

Panelling (10)
unclip at top (4 clips) and remove.

Plug-in clips (11)
pull out.

Clips on panelling (10) and clip bottom sections on main frame member
install or check. Replace damaged clips.
Install in opposite order.

These instructions are for a standard car. Your Silve Arrow has illuminated door sills which have an additional wiring loom. I'm not sure how that works or where it connects to.

stats007 · #3 02-14-2006, 03:01 PM

You, Sir, are a Gent! That's what I'm trying to work out - my illuminated sills don't illuminate. I'm based in Surrey by the way.

stats007 · #4 02-14-2006, 03:52 PM

Ok - slightly different for a late car - there is an additional locking plastic pin by the seat on the inside of the car before the cover can be lifted. The rubber strip needs pulling from the bottom - it is greased and clips in (messy). Finally the rear wing plastic trim panel needs to come off to allow the sill to be removed.

I have power to the sill - but no joy - it also looks U/S

Evidence of water ingress (the Silver Arrow sill is glued on top of the original - cheers MB!) .

Here is the offending item:

Any chance of a replacement / factor part?

jjrodger · #5 02-15-2006, 02:41 AM

I retrofitted illuminated door sills to my C240 (now long gone), so the job can be done. Again, the illuminated sills were literally clagged on top of the existing. The illuminated sill parts for the Silver Arrow showed up on the MB Electronic Parts Catalogue that I had on my computer. I say "had" because it went haywire when I tried to install WIS. Serves me right. I know nothing about availability, however.

I noticed you were in the UK. How is the Silver Arrow? I do like that edition; the wheels and trim are particularly attractive. There is a 2001/Y SL500SA for sale at Mercedes-Benz Hemel Hempstead at the moment which is tempting me. I suspect it would all end in divorce if I went down that road, though... I'd worry about the cost and availability of replacing trim parts, too (not that the regular stuff is cheap).

stats007 · #6 02-15-2006, 04:32 AM

It's a lovely car - I previously had a '99 SL500 in Obsidian Black with black leather that was immaculate and that was my favourite colour. The Silver Arrow is growing on me more and more. Specific trim parts are unbelieveably expensive if available at all. The centre console trim around the arm rest is £1000 on it's own.

The wheels are also proving to be a pain, no-one so far will touch them to refurb and at £600 inc VAT each they're an expensive replacement.

There are two more Silver Arrows for sale that I've seen. One for £25k, the other £30k which is way too expensive, especially as neither have the Panoramic Roof and one has lost it's Certificate of Authenticity.

I don't know too much else about the cars - allegedly Sir Stirling Moss had #1 but that's about it.

What colour are the sills supposed to light up? I might have a look in Maplins or similar for something to retrofit.

Thanks,

jjrodger · #7 02-15-2006, 04:58 AM

I've seen one of the other SAs on the market, at Romans of St Albans, didn't have the pano top.

The illuminated sills were supposed to light up white, I think. The illuminated sills for the regular models, which state either "Mercedes-Benz" or "///AMG", were available in white, blue or green (I seem to recall). I would have thought you could get the illuminating film in any colour; as you point out, there is a simple mask on top. I think I paid about £300 for my illuminating sills for the C-Class. I was really disappointed by the quality, the way they just clag on the top of the existing trim.

They appear on E-bay from time to time. Here is a set for the R170 SLK:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ILLUMINATED-DOOR-SILLS-FOR-MERCEDES-SLK-RARE_W0QQitemZ4612983425QQcategoryZ10398QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They may be capable of being canabalised for parts, I can't see the wiring loom or the illuminated strip material being any different model to model.

As for the wheels, try Pristine Wheels (www.alloywheelrefurbishers.co.uk), I understand they are used by Mercedes dealers in the UK; alternatively there is a firm called SEM in Sunderland who I have happily used in the past and who are well-reputed, they tackled composite Porsche alloys for me on many occasions as well as two sets of alloys for my SL. A lot of firms are reluctant to do these wheels because the polished rim section will never stay good; either go for a painted rim or accept there is no warranty in that regard.

Is the centre console trim around the arm rest wood? The wooden ones of all colours are expensive. Only the SL600 came with this part in wood (apart from specialist models like yours); on most SLs this trim and the louvred door covering the ashtray and tape storage was plastic. If yours is damaged or otherwise needs replacing, you may wish to make do with black plastic from the standard car, which would undoubtedly be cheaper, although you'd have to buy the louvred door, too.

stats007 · #8 02-15-2006, 05:06 AM

The one at Hemel has lost it's original overmats too

The third one is here:

DMT Autos

This is the one that has no certificate, again no Panoramic Roof.

VIN WDB 129 068 2F2 04525.

Wheels a bit kerbed, a few stonechips etc. Serviced by MB Greenoaks (rated the worst MB stealer in the UK by a lot of people).

Out of interest were your sills 12V? There are items like this that could be a donor for the illuminating strips:

ECP W210 Sills

jjrodger · #9 02-15-2006, 08:15 AM

I assume they were 12V, I've no reason to think otherwise. I didn't fit them. The wiring loom looked pretty simple, I think it wired into the door contact switch. I can't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to use the bits off the W210 sills; that's the best price I've seen.

I don't like the look of the one at DMT Autos. Have you seen the one at Hemel? If so, was it worth a look? I am pretty obsessive about condition so anything less than A1 just isn't worth the bother.

stats007 · #10 02-15-2006, 09:59 AM

They are 110VAC or thereabouts.

I have discovered some EL panels on eBay that come with their own inverters so hopefully that will work!

Didn't know there was one at Hemel until you mentioned it. Low mileage but still pricey. In my experience, R129s from MB Direct are not in good nick but you never know. Get the VIN and check what equipment it had. I wouldn't buy one without the Panoramic Roof.

stats007 · #11 03-03-2006, 07:23 AM

The EL panels worked a treat - saved about £140 on Mercedes price!

lynns · #12 11-26-2007, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stats007

The EL panels worked a treat - saved about £140 on Mercedes price!

What EL panels did you end up using? Do they say 'Silver SL Arrow'? The reason I ask is because there are many SL owners that want there cars to have only original equipement.

Heaven forbid that you would buy a SA that has a lighted 'Silver SL Arrow' door sill that has been changed to something like a lighted "Mercedes Benz' or 'AMG'. Wouldn't that take away from the cars value upon resale?