Original Cruise Control on a W108??

[nhdoc]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-MERCEDES-BENZ-280-SE-4-5_W0QQitemZ4582906038QQcategoryZ6329QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Notice the cruise control in the window switch console...anyone ever seen this before? Is it factory or a clever aftermarket installation?

[diametricalbenz]

That is interesting, they may have just glued on some extra rear window switches. I don't see anything in the engine bay. Perhaps something pneumatic that is hidden away somewhere.

Did you email the seller asking how it works?

[nhdoc]

Originally Posted by diametricalbenz

That is interesting, they may have just glued on some extra rear window switches. I don't see anything in the engine bay. Perhaps something pneumatic that is hidden away somewhere.

Did you email the seller asking how it works?

No, I didn't...I was just curious if anyone had ever seen this before...I may contact the seller and see if they know anything about it. The title plate looks pretty decent, not home made but something on a limited production?

[billrei]

I'm not aware of any factory option for cruise contol on W108's. I doubt Mercedes would have spent money to add this feature to a model they were in the process of phasing out. They did a nice job of giving it a factory appearance though. Ditmire has a good reputation for selling Mercedes in the New Jersey area. The chief complain is that they usually want top dollar for their cars.

[kpb]

marty, it's funny you mention this cuz just yesterday I was on ebay (i check it 2x/yr!) and saw this and wondered...

I'll bet it's an aftermarket hack job.

[Benzcrusher]

It looks like a hack job, the rear window switches don't line up neatly with the window switches... Note the R-134a nipple on the AC hose.....

[Mark DiSilvestro]

My factory W114/W115 body/chassis manual shows a 'factory' cruise control starting with the '75 model 280 and 280C, from Philco-Ford. It uses a single black plastic rocker switch on the center console, marked CRUISE/ON and CONTR/SET ACCEL in white letters, on the rocker. It's mounted between the window switches, in the same position as the upper cruise switch on that Ebay 280SE.

For 1976 280, 280C and 300D a VDO cruise control is specified. It shows a steering-column mounted lever-switch.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[nhdoc]

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

My factory W114/W115 body/chassis manual shows a 'factory' cruise control starting with the '75 model 280 and 280C, from Philco-Ford. It uses a single black plastic rocker switch on the center console, marked CRUISE/ON and CONTR/SET ACCEL in white letters, on the rocker. It's mounted between the window switches, in the same position as the upper cruise switch on that Ebay 280SE.

For 1976 280, 280C and 300D a VDO cruise control is specified. It shows a steering-column mounted lever-switch.

Happy Motoring, Mark

That's interesting. I wonder if dealers were able to retrofit a kit into the older cars at owner's request? If so, even if the option was not available at the time the car was made in '73 it might actually be a factory sanctioned mod.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Funny you should mention retrofitting. For the Philco-Ford unit, my factory manual specifically states "Parts for subsequent installation of the cruise control system in earlier models are not availible".
For the VDO unit, it says "Subsequent installation of this system into earlier models is not possible".

As far as that Ebay 280SE goes, I think someone clever could have adapted one of those OE cruise controls, or more likely, an aftermarket cruise, with a pair of Mercedes window switches wired in to make it look 'factory'.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[Tomguy]

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

As far as that Ebay 280SE goes, I think someone clever could have adapted one of those OE cruise controls, or more likely, an aftermarket cruise, with a pair of Mercedes window switches wired in to make it look 'factory'.

I have a feeling that if someone wanted to make it look "Factory" then they would have made the switches straight.