Greetings-

I have ordered myself new front and rear winshield seals for my 280SEL, in an effort to make her as watertight as possible. Originally from sunny San Diego, and kept under cover there, I think the huge amount of rain we've had in VA the last 2 months has really overwhelmed those 30 y/o gaskets, so, my question:

Is it better to bring the car to a glass shop or to a reputable auto body/resto shop? I had the rear seal replaced on my 1st car (years ago), a 70 280SE, and I seem to remember the glass shop was not very aware of how to deal with the interior trim aspects of the installation. Would a resto shop be better?

Any experiences to share, or things to advise the installer about so that the new seals are indeed watertight when its finished?

Many thanks, as usual.

JAS

__________________
94 E320
71 350SL

Okay, new front windshield and seal, and new rear window seal, what a difference in the view forward... No more water coming in at the front or back- just the sunroof now...

Will new seals all around the sunroof opening help?

Does anyone know where the drains for the sunroof exit the body? I want to make sure they are unobstructed before I replace the seals.

Almost watertight and weather-resistant in rainy Virginia...

JAS

__________________
94 E320
71 350SL

jas2wa,

Where did you order your front windshield and seals from? My front windshield has a slight wiper scratch and alot of sandblasting. What approx cost did you pay for the lot; I've got to also seal the back window.

On the sunroof drains, the front ones drain right on top of the lower front door hinge. You can see this when you open the door. The rear drain into the trunk and are caught by the tubes coming down from the rear window area. At least that's what I think happens. You COULD pour some H2O into the sunroof and see is it comes out in these locations .

Sholin

__________________
What else, '73 MB 280 SEL (Lt Blue)
Daily driver: '84 190D 2.2 5 spd.

Hey 73MB280sel-

I picked up the rear gasket on ebay, and then the front from rusty at buymbparts- I had intended to do just the f and r seals, but then realized that it was dumb to not just replace the windshiled at the same time (some chips, and water damage at the bottom)- so the glass shop ordered a new windshield for 310, which I thought was pretty reasonable. So, all told, I supplied the fr and rear seals, and the new windshield plus labor came to 420. But now the thing is solid.

Just ordered all new sunroof seals, will hopefully put them in this weekend, air out the old girl, and she should be completely watertight again.

-JAS

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
94 E320
71 350SL

cool. I've seen windshields for sale on adsit's site.

How did they get all the trim off without bending it up?

Sholin

__________________
What else, '73 MB 280 SEL (Lt Blue)
Daily driver: '84 190D 2.2 5 spd.

From what I understand, that trim is somewhat flexible- you carefully peel it from the gasket (w/o turning it into a chrome pretzel)- then pressed back in, under slight tension, it stays put.

The glass shop took care of this for me, though. The only odd part is how the headliner actually "tucks" into the rear gasket- inevitably, the headliner gets a little bunched up where it is supposed to go under the gasket- probably b/c it has shrunk up a bit over time, then when it is dislodged to replace the gasket, it is hard to get it all the way back in. Maybe I am wrong, but this happened on my first 108 chassis car, too.

If you see the windshield for less than 300 bucks, then do it- otherwise, keep in mind it will cost to ship it. My glass guy got mine from his supplier the same day, for 310.

Cheers,

Justin

__________________
94 E320
71 350SL

Nice looling lady jas2wa, these cars have a romance to them. Thanks for the windshield/gasket info also. I'm working away on my 300SEL, man I love this car.

Hey tosbt-

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I love these cars, too. My very first car was a 70 280SE, which I loved and drove for 4 years through high school and early college. Then, in the interest of saving gas $ and repairs, I switched to diesels, a few odds and ends, until this spring when I sold my much newer car and bought this 73. It is the car I have always loved and wanted from the day I first saw these and especially the day I sold the 70.

I must say, sharing info on this board has saved me so much time and money- I think back to when I had the 70, and so many things I had to do trial and error, as this much info was just not available.

Keep up the work on your 300- I am so excited to get my new 73 totally up to date (she's not far).

Do you have any pics of yours?

Cheers,

JAS (Justin)

__________________
94 E320
71 350SL

Getting ready to post some pictures of this wounderful machine. Was going to do it this sunday but got sidetracked. Just had all valuves and bags replaced and work near perfectly, great soft ride. Some air loss overnite but very little, we shall see. This car has orginal 56K on it and the interior is showroom perfect. Years ago, I drove a 6.3 that belonged to a friend, it was brand new man I never got over that and I have had a ton of cars over the years but that car stuck with me forever. I owned a 72 280SEL, and what a great car that was, silver with blue. This one is gold with dark, dark brown leather drives perfectely and that is what I intend to do with it, DRIVE IT! I like the 4.5, though I would like to get a little more performance out of it want to switch to the Pertronix ignition. Would like to improve the cold air induction and will install a Timevalve. Man are the dollars mounting.

Tell me about it-

I am planning on a Timevalve system by summer's end, too. Engine is in great shape on this one, so I am excited about that.

Gold on dark brown, sounds brilliant. Mine is maple yellow on that same dark brown. Looks so nice with the wood trim. Of course you have door trim, I have just a lowly 280....!

Keep me posted- and get those pics on here!

Here are a few I tweaked yesterday:

Cheers,

JAS

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
94 E320
71 350SL

pic:

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
94 E320
71 350SL