I knew when I bought my car that the antenna motor didn't work and I didn't worry about it until some little brat broke off my antenna. I called a local MB mechanic and was told I'd have to have the motor replaced in order to replace the antenna because the motor has to be able to grab the leader wire for the new antenna.

I'm looking for a used motor because I don't want to spend the $250+ that the mechanic wants to charge me. Any suggestions?

Lizzie:
In a few cases like this, where the owner didn't want to spend so much just for an antenna, we installed a manual antenna. You should be able to buy this no problem from MB, which will fit in there perfectly including the bottom attachment point inside the trunk, similar to the power antenna, or you could install an aftermarket antenna. The MB one can be pushed down, like the power one does with a motor, so it's flush with the rear 1/4 panel, and also has a way of only being raised again using a small sheetmetal key that come with the antenna. This keeps the kids from raising it up when you're not around and bending it.
Gilly

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Lizzie,
Go with either a manual antenna or have the motor replaced in your current unit. DO NOT purchase an aftermarket power antenna. I purchased an aftermarket power antenna that was supposed to be for the 190, and it was close, but not quite perfect. It goes up & down and the lower mounting bracket was fine, but I'm wondering if I'm going to have water in the trunk because where the antenna comes through the rear body panel doesn't have an exactly perfect o-ring gasket and the original factory one couldn't be used with the new power antenna. Good luck, Dave.

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Thanks,
Dave

1998 BMW 540i Sport
1995 E320
1992 400E
1989 BMW M3
1979 Triumph TR7 (1st car)
1986 BMW 735i (Sold)
1980 BMW 320i (Sold)

Lizzie:

Check the Perfomance Products website or catalog for a replacement motor; they are OEM. If you don't want to pay Performance Products price, do a search on ebay for the exact same motor. I found one for my mom's '85 Turbo 300D. If you go this route you can save some money.

Brian

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'87 300E
Debadged
Euro Clear Corners
Updated '95 Tail Lights