I recently bought a 240D with a 4 spd. The blue dash looked really great... until I discovered that it was a dash cap. The P.O. installed it with dabs of silicone to hold it down. That didn't work and all it did was rattle, buzz and clack. When I lifted it up I discovered a very cracked dash pad.

Since it was loose and really annoying me, I removed the dash cap and installed a dash mat. Yeah the dash mat looks fuzzy and maybe funky, but it doesn't make any noise. The dash mat has pieces of velcro that attach to the dash. I made sure that I put velcro on the gauge hood, the vent humps and the windshield side of the defroster vents. Next I tucked the mat into the small space between the windshield and defroster vents. Then I finished up by securing the mat to the rest of the velcro on the dash.

If you were to use the plastic cap, I'd suggest you clean the dash with a solvent (to remove oils and dust / dirt) and secure the dash cap with velcro (adhesive self stick double pieces) This would allow the cap to be removed and reinstalled without much of a problem. It would also hold down the cap so it doesn't rattle, buzz, or annoy you.

In either case mat or cap, you improve the looks.

You can buy the dash mat with or without the sensor hole. Early W123's with manual HVAC systems don't use the sensor. If you get the mat or cap without the hole... remember the old advice... measure twice, cut once!

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Pete Williams, President emeritus - MBCA-International Stars (Eastern Mich.) Now Wi. & Az.
1985 300D Manual 4 speed Green Hen's tooth
1979 MGB triple black Az car nice
1969 back 1/2 of MGB (Az home built trailer)
1991 Volvo 245 Wagon Nice AZ Restored Gold Brick
1983 Jeep CJ7 37,600 Miles Summer use only