Time For a Dash Cap
 

It's time to do something to my wife's 1981 300SD's dash. It has many small cracks and one significant crack. A dash cap appears the be the best solution. Unfortunately, this model has the in-car temp sensor in the middle of the dash and most of the dash caps do not have that opening.

Has anyone had experience with using a dash cap with no hole this application. I don't have any problem marking and cutting a hole, but will the sensor sit down OK? It looks like there might be a slight depression for the sensor in the original dash.

Also, has anyone found one particular brand of dash cap to be better than others?

Thanks.

Tom,

I'm sure someone who has used the dash cap will help.

A similar question was asked recently and it turns out that the temp sensor can be relocated which is the approach that was used.

The one I used for my 96 E300d was from Dash Mat. Fit like a glove, with all cutouts in place. Velcro holds it in place, and can be easily removed if needed. When I had my 240d, I had a dash cap from J.C. Whintey made out of light plastic, and from what I remember, it too was pre-cut. Made a big improvement in the overall appearance of the car.

http://www.car-truck-accessories.com/velourmat.asp

I'm in the process of replacing the dash in my W123 - it was really easy to get out - I haven't put my crack free second hand one in just yet but I'm not expecting any hassle... would a W126 be much harder?

My 2nd SD came with a dash cap, helped tremendously. It had holes precut for everything. My parts car (soon to be junked) has a nearly crack free (small one around speaker) dash. Are these going for a premium? I'll pull it if its worth the effort.

Dash caps are good and bad... The bad is that if you don't secure them with enough velcro it will buzz and rattle and generally detract from your mental health... unless you really like stuff like that. The good is that they are available and generally look pretty good if you use enough velcro. If you think of securing the dash cap with silicone it won't stay secured. (recipient of a car that the PO did that - 240D) The silicone just makes a mess. I like velcro because you can remove the dash cap if you have to. If it is glued in place you can't remove it.

Velcro should be applied across the dash in long strips. Also in at the front side (windshield side) of the defroster vents. Since you are using velcro you can remove and replace the dash cap while you are measuring the proper location for the heating / cooling sensor in a W123.

After you get the hole made in the dash (measure 2x, 3x - cut once) insert a used sensor grille that you have ground down so only a small stem actually protrudes through the dash cap.

Note: The current sensor unit is not long enough to span the distance between the top surface of the dash cap and the bottom of the dash cover (old dashboard). Thus the need for the cosmetic, but functional top grille. You can get an old sensor grille at your local PNP. Even if you don't get the sensor hole exactly in the right place, it will function.

Thanks for your recommendations, Pete. I, too, was concerned about the need to remove the original dash in the future (I've had to remove the dash on my 1982 300SD three times for Climate Control work).

I do have one concern about the added height of the Velcro. Most Velcro I've used in the past adds about 3/32"-1/8" height. Using Silicone adhesive would allow for a closer fit. I still like the idea of the Velcro, but am concerned how the extra height will affect the dash cap around the vent cutouts.

Thanks.

I got lucky guys. While looking for some other parts, I came upon a pristine dash in a 1990 420 SEL. I had done my homework and knew that the PN for the 1990 dash was the same one as my 1981 dash even though the 1990 dash had a passenger side air bag.

I will have to use some SEM paint to tint this dash, but the smooth dash with no cracks will be worth it.

Best part: Pull-a-Part price was only $28. Second best part: Since I had removed the dash from my 1982 300SD three times, it was easy to remove this dash, even in the hot sun. Third best part: The cutout for the in-car temp sensor is actually marked on the bottom side of the dash!