Recarpeting a 300TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

81Wagon · #1 12-06-2003, 10:40 PM

I'm planning on recarpeting my wagon. ALL of the old carpet is going to go and be replaced with new carpet that I'm going to buy from a local carpet store and cut to fit myself.

Has anybody else here done this before?

I imagine I'll be able to figure out how to get most of the old carpeting out, but there are some areas, such as the back side of the second-row seats, that I'm not at all sure how to do. And tips/hints would be appreciated :-).

I'm also planning on lining the car with FatMat sound deadener, which will hopefully reduce a bit of the noise getting inside the car.

If anyone is interested I'll try to document the process and post the pictures next month...

#2 12-06-2003, 10:47 PM

Hi 81Wagon.

Try this place:
http://www.worlduph.com/mb18.htm

Louis.

81Wagon · #3 12-06-2003, 10:55 PM

Thanks for the reply.

I already know about World Upholstery (and GAHH)... But buying a carpet set costs an arm and a leg ($618 at GAHH) whereas I can do the whole thing myself for $150 :-).

81Wagon · #4 12-06-2003, 11:12 PM

dieseldiehard - $1200? Ouch!

The carpet I'm buying from the local shop is the same type of stuff that's already in there (though not German I suppose ;-). I was quoted $125 total for enough to recarpet my car.

I think I will choose a lighter color than the current brownish tan that's in there; a light tan would brighten things up a bit and make it seem cleaner.

Another thing I might do is use "normal" floor carpet (cut pile or whatever it's called, I don't have a degree in carpeting) for the floor of the cargo area (and likewise the backs of the second row seats, which are also the "floor" when laid flat). I have a piece of that stuff in the cargo area now and it not only looks good, it's much softer because of its length (good if I'm going to sleep on it during long road trips ;-).

The only issue I can foresee is its extra thickness might be a problem with fitting it into the edges of things (like the 2nd row seat backs) but I can shave those bits down if necessary.

As for sound deadening, I don't have too much of a problem with the engine noise. It seems relatively quiet to me. however, I will be lining the cockpit side of the firewall with the FatMat material anyway (and also the doors, and if I have any left for the hell of it I'll do the ceiling).

I have the matting under the carpets, but that doesn't seem to be where most of my noise is coming from. I have this horribly annoying hum/whine coming from the back end of the car when I press down on the throttle - I'm thinking it's the fuel lines to and from the tank. It drives me nuts. So basically what needs soundproofing most (in my wagon) seems to be the floor of the cargo area and the floor underneath the second row seats.

I'll do what I can to document the whole procedure since there seems to be some interest :-).

tgh93 · #5 12-07-2003, 08:54 AM

Keep us posted I am very interested also.

R Leo · #6 12-07-2003, 10:20 AM

If you're happy with spending the next three weeks cutting paper dolls out of carpet, then DIY is for you. But, understand that the advantage to using an OEM-style carpet set is that it is already cut to fit. All the niggling little pieces (and there are a gazillion of them in a TD) are already the right shape, and have the trim sewn on in the right places.

On cars in my past, I've done it both ways and have chosen this time to go with a manufactured set. To me, the additional cost of the completed carpet set worked out to be cheaper than the 'sweat equity' of having to pattern and cut out all those pieces and have, what I felt, might be less-than-perfect results in the end.

I also suggest that you check with Jim at JJ Products (800-654-2356) for a price on that carpet set. Mine wasn't anywhere near that much!

81Wagon · #7 12-07-2003, 01:28 PM

Thanks R Leo for the tip there. If he's cheaper than GAHH or World Upholstery I'll have to get a quote for reupholstering my seats someday (when I have money!).

However, being a poor college student with nothing to do over winter break means sweat is by far the cheapest thing I've got ;-). Plus it'll give me a chance to customize the carpet as I'm thinking about doing.

So you've done this? Do you have any idea how the carpeting on the back of the 2nd row seat comes off?

81Wagon · #8 12-07-2003, 07:43 PM

My carpets are palomino at the moment... still too dark for me ;-).

The darker you get the harder it is to see dirt, but at the same time (to me anyway) it gives a sorta-dirty-all-the-time feel. I'd rather have something nice and light and expend a little extra effort into actually keeping it clean - if I have to go over it with a wet/dry vac every once in a while it isn't a big deal :-).

The piping around my doors is terrible; completely falling apart. I intend to replace it too in the next few weeks, though it doesn't seem to serve any useful purpose so that's still debatable...

#9 12-07-2003, 08:20 PM

Hi 81wagon.

Not really a cheap alternative but nice
non the less.
This is the stuff I will use to redo my
interior someday.
Just wished it was available in white.

www.selectproducts.com
Enter site.
Click, select parts.
Then, fabrics.
Then, Le mans grill cloth.
Sorry no link to actual page.
Sold by the linear yard.

In this case 58"X36"

Louis