This may technically not be the correct forum for this, but it's hard to get a good response in other forums since most people visit this one. Anyways...I know that at least us 126 owners probably all have or at least had the cracks on the dash that start on the corner of the speaker grille. I was thinking what to do, and thought I would just have them professionally filled. Then I thought of something else. I was thinking about having the dash covered with leather. I thought it might be a nice custom touch and I wouldn't have to worry about cracks anymore so long as I kept it treated. I was wondering if anyone else might have done this or of anyone knows anything about this, esp. where someone might go to get something like this done and what it might cost. Any input is appreciated...thanks!

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'86 420SE Euro
904 Midnight Blue, Gray Velour
Dad bought it new, now I own it.

"A Mercedes-Benz is like a fine wine, it only gets better with age."

A competant auto upholstery shop should be able to do it, provided your charge card limit matches their competance!

I had a custom leather dash crafted for an MG-TF restoration and it looked great by matching the seats, but I don't know if it was worth the maintenance and worry. Whenever the car was parked, the towel came out to cover the dash and I probably overfed the thing with Connolly.

I'm not sure how it would look on a MB dash, since you would have to place the hide over the front of the dash to blend well. On the TF, it was just the top since the face of the dash was mostily wood. You might want to take that in consideration when doing this project. How much is a used dash?

Have you considered a dash cover? For $87.01 you can buy a Coverlay cover in your choice of colors which is a perfect fit for your dash. I have not actually used one of these (yet) but if my dash were cracked, this is what I'd do.

Do not confuse these with some other dash covers which look more like carpet than vinyl. The Coverlay units, properly installed, really look like stock.

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Steve
'93 400E

Yeah, I have seen them before in the Performance Products Catalog. I don't know....I have always thought of dash covers as kind of cheap. I think I would want to see one on a car before I spent the money on one. I guess I'm just skeptical as to how one would really look. At this point, I think I would have rather the cracks filled...mine aren't as big as others I have seen, maybe only an inch long on one side and maybe 1/4 or 1/2 an inch on the other. I would still like to pursue the leather though.

The only problem I see with a used dash, is that it would probably not be much better than what I have on there. If it's not cracked, it's probably about to. Quite some time ago, I saw a brand new dash on ebay for around $135 I think. THEN the problem would be switching them out! I can only imagine what kind of a PITA that would be!

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'86 420SE Euro
904 Midnight Blue, Gray Velour
Dad bought it new, now I own it.

"A Mercedes-Benz is like a fine wine, it only gets better with age."

coverlay on removed trim dash

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If the used dash isn't cracked, you have a better chance of preventing the cracks (temperature changes and solar exposure) at a lower cost. As for removing the dash, you're going to have to do that no matter what. I can't imagine any good shop working with leather with the dash in place.

i've got a leather covered dash.it came as an option on my new 140(along with a suede headliner) and it seems to be doin' o.k.

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'95 s500 (bought for wife but can't bear to share!!!) 125kms
'92 legend 180kms
'88 tbirdturbo(fantastic car-only regular maint.)120kms
'87 mustang gt(gone)
'86 tbirdturbo(gone)
'85 mustang gt(gone-but not forgotten)

I have a 126 as a daily drive and with the exact same spot where the crack line appeared.

I had it professionally repaired, i.e. filled cracked and colour matched, but that only lasted a year over before the crack appeared.

Then, I bought a dash-repair kit. It worked, but for only a few months before the crack returned (but with vengance).

I went then to ChipsAway and was advised to leave it alone as attempts to repair it would be futile (from their experience). The variance in temperature in our tropical climate would only expand and contract (thus split the crack again). A total repair (filling 'er up with some form of sealant, and spray over) won't last either as the spray paint would eventually fade after approx 2 years.

The alternatives:

1. Buy a new or second hand dashboard.

The new was expensive, while the second hand was in very good condition. However, being second hand, risks are always present that it may crack within 2 years or so ....

On the other, the labour charges for removing and installing had to be considered. I thought it might be better to overhaul the entire air-cond system had we thought of replacing it.

But ....

2. Got a dashboard cover.

a. First it was a fabric cover, but felt that it wasn't really in its place for most times as it wont sit securely fastened to the dash. So, it took a little getting used to it before ...

b. ... having a leather one tailored and fastened to the dash.

Now its good that its protected from the sun, and you cant see the cracks.

I had it taped (double sided tape) to the dash, and superglued the top of the tape to the cover. Now it sits pretty in all condition. Never super glue the cover to the dash as it may impede future removals when required.

The costs for the leather cover : about Singapore $150.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

I had a dash overlay installed and it cracked within 4-years.

I bought one of the dash covers from performance for my 126. I hated the way it looked so bad that I sent it back. I would rather have the cracks.

I often thought of leather on it too.

Tom W

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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.

Me too, Tom. Do the job right or "fuggitaboutit".

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I put a coverlay dash cover on my 83 240D and I think it looks great, I don't like the squeaks tho

I've also been thinking about having the interior of the 300D done, including some type of material upgrade for the dash. I wonder if a good shop could redo the dash in black leather without it looking "aftermarket"? I've also thought about having the door panels redone, I would probably keep the "vinyl" seats because they hold up very well.