For some reason my 1972 w108 4.5 came with the odd center console tray cushion but not the arm rests. I have found a matching upholstry set of arm rests but they are from a 1968 SE. Will these fit my 4.5? Did the arm rest design change from 1968 to 1972 on the w108? TIA

Some examples of w108s I've owned:

My 1973 280se 4.5 with sunroof has neither. :-(

The 1969 280s I parted had arm rests on each seat.

The 1967 250se euro sunroof stick has the console cushion.

I assume it was an option and the years don't necessarily dictate the arm rear type.


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Past mb: '73 450sl, '81 280slc stick, '71 250, '72 250c, '70 250c, '79 280sl, '73 450sl, parted: '75 240d stick, '69 280s, '73 450slc, '72 450sl,

Thanks - I figured these had to be options. Below is a photo of the arm rests I found, will these fit a 1972?

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Hey Trout, I recently redid my 72 w108 4.5's seats. I uploaded some pics of the upholstering in progress. Hopefully these will help you get a better idea if the ones you found are a match (which to me look like they are).

Index of /pics/seats-highres

Jose

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1972 280SE 4.5 Dark Green, Cognac. Pics!
2014 Range Rover Sport Supercharged. Santorini Black, Dynamic Package, Front Climate Comfort and Visibility Package, Vision and Convenience Package.

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There were two types of individual arm rests on the 108s. The later type were "fatter/stockier" in shape. There was also a single arm rest option but that has no bearing on your question.

Early type - https://www.google.com/search?q=w108+armrest&tbm=isch&imgil=GJqONmb6kpJjxM%253A%253B-Y1D2x-KAPOkLM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fm.g.ebay.com%25252Fitm%25252F281496778593%25253F_trkparms%25252 53Daid%25252525253D222007%252525252526algo%25252525253DSIC.MBE%252525252526ao%25252525253D1%25252525 2526asc%25252525253D20140127100817%252525252526meid%25252525253Dbe78ce2736c34eaab63491a9c362c54d%252 525252526pid%25252525253D100107%252525252526rk%25252525253D1%252525252526rkt%25252525253D25%25252525 2526sd%25252525253D120669995405%25252526_trksid%2525253Dp2056116.c100107.m2460&source=iu&pf=m&fir=GJqONmb6kpJjxM%253A%252C-Y1D2x-KAPOkLM%252C_&usg=__T0avk9FterB2hTg7VPTbjaes8PI%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjyj-Hv7PTUAhUk4oMKHX90D3EQyjcIMw&ei=8EZeWfLXMqTEjwT_6L2IBw&biw=1280&bih=593#imgrc=db4fGjEELvl0WM:

Later type - https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2F00%2Fs%2FMTIwMFgxNjAw%2Fz%2FzpMAAOSwcldUZUhY%2F%24_1.JPG&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fm.g.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F281496778593%3F_trkparms%3Daid%25253D222007%252526algo%2 5253DSIC.MBE%252526ao%25253D1%252526asc%25253D20140127100817%252526meid%25253Dbe78ce2736c34eaab63491 a9c362c54d%252526pid%25253D100107%252526rk%25253D1%252526rkt%25253D25%252526sd%25253D120669995405%26 _trksid%3Dp2056116.c100107.m2460&docid=-Y1D2x-KAPOkLM&tbnid=GJqONmb6kpJjxM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwiI95797PTUAhWj6oMKHS_NANEQMwgsKAAwAA..i&w=400&h=300&bih=593&biw=1280&q=w108%20armrest&ved=0ahUKEwiI95797PTUAhWj6oMKHS_NANEQMwgsKAAwAA&iact=mrc&uact=8

Thanks. So it appears the ones I have found are the earier type. Would they still fit a '72 or did the two armrest types use completely different/incompatible bracket fittings?

The thing that goes in the center console is technically called a "seat adapter". The idea is that with the cushion in the console and the armrests up, you have a 3rd seat in front. Crazy. I have a bunch of the center consoles if anyone is looking for one. They are all on ebay but I'll do better than my ebay prices.

Thanks Scooter. Do you happen to know if the ones I found (photo above) would fit a later model w108?

To _me_ the ones you have pictured look like the match what is in my car. In your picture they are upside-down. Take a look at the 3 pics from my 1971 280SE.

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That I do not know. Since MB only changed the shape of the arm rest I would think that the mounting should be the same for both styles.

OK, thanks for all your replies. With no returns on these armrests I am hesitant to take a chance in case they do not fit my existing seat side bracket fittings...

Another issue: they are appearantly leather while my interior is MB Tex, however same color (cognac). Would that be very appearant if armrests were leather while rest of upholstry was vinyl, albeit same MB color?