Hi,

I have recently purchased a 95 model E220 with no AC unit.
I am seriously thinking of having a AC unit installed by my MB dealer.
I am a bit concerned -perhaps with no real reason- about non-factory
installation of the AC unit, since they virtually have to take half the car
apart. Has anybody done a similar installation? are there any known
problems with non-factory installed units? My MB dealer assures me it will be
just like original - but they would say that to make the sale, I guess.

Your comments, advise is greatly appreciated.

Mehdi

A non-factory unit usually doesn't fit as good & even lowers the value of your investment. I owned a 280E w/hang-on A/C & it leaked water into the car & the blower didn't hardly blow. Stick with O.E. factory equiptment for the best results!!

If the aftermarket unit used is a Diavia then most of the major components are the same as MB and made by Behr. The components made by Diavia are parts as pulleys and wiring harnesses to tie it all together. They fit into or replace the heater box in the original location and use the same vents.
Diavia is the major supplier of aftermarket units in Europe.

Thanks for your advice. If I decide to
do it, I would definitly have a MB original
unit put in, the cost will be higher, but
at least the work & the unit itself would
carry MB's warranty.

Thanks again,

Mehdi

[This message has been edited by Mehdi (edited 03-31-99).]

Finally, I bit the bullet & took the car to my local MB dealer for a full AirCon Installation on Monday.
I have been following the work fairly closely
(turning up every other day). My dealer has been very good about this & feels comfortable with my walking onto the shop floor, talking to the guys while they actually do the job.

It really breaks my heart to see my car almost gutted. It looks a mess with the Dashboard & the front end all taken out :-(
I knew it was going to be a big job but I had not fully realized how BIG ;-)

They have changed the heater box, put in
a larger radiator & an extra radiator for the
AirCon ( drops behind the water radiator)
They had to install a new crossbar support for
the radiators. The support ( looks like an anti-roll bar ) is welded to the chasis &
the front-end of the car & the radiators rest
on it. The plastic cover for the fan is also
larger. The Radiator hoses are different and they also have to put in longer pipes ( one rubber and one metal )for the auto-transmission !! The car should be ready
on Monday & it will cost me approx $3000 :-(


[This message has been edited by Mehdi (edited 04-09-99).]