300SD Cockpit

[NYDEISEL]

Here she is, my 1979 300SD metalic brown with bamboo interior. I spent one very long beer filled weekend completely bringing the interior back to life. After all the junk I bought at Pep Boys I will share with all what I found. Don't waste your money!! I found that the best cleaner for the bulletproof MB Tex was Fantastic. I used the one with the lemen scent and a scrub brush that is especially made for fabric (Home Depot). The results were amazing. Seats came out looking almost brand new. Same procedure for the door panels and the results were just as good. For the carpets I used Tuff Stuff and a regular scrub brush. Carpets came out great but the floor mats were to far gone. That is why you see the rubber mats in the foot wells. The rubber mats provide better protection against the bad weather we get up here in the Northeast. This 116 resides in NYC. Can anybody advise on how to get the haze off all the chrome trim around the doors and windows. I used a Blue Coral brand polish but was not pleased with the results. I have heard from the BMW 2002 board that Coke or Pepsi on a rag works wonders. Yes I own a 1976 BMW 2002 but I also have a mint 1984 300CD with a 110,000 miles and a 1979 280CE that gets about 12 miles to the gallon. In NYC traffic you can see the gas gauge move as you idle. As you can see my true passion is for the vintage mercedes but the BMW is a great little car. I love this board and have spent countless hours bringing my 116 back to its former glory. I see that most of the discussion here is about 123's and 126's but the 116 is truley an outstanding machine. I will keep you all posted on my progress and look to you for advice. My next project is to stop the leaky back window and swap out the front doors with some rust free ones I got from a 450SEL...

[Rick Miley]

Originally posted by NYDEISEL
I found that the best cleaner for the bulletproof MB Tex was Fantastic.

Just a note for the archives - MB Tex has changed over the years and is not the same stuff that it once was. Fantastic removed the top layer of my 99's armrest cover and turned it into a gummy mess in seconds. The best safe product for vinyl and plastic is Vinylex. It is expensive and hard to find, but it works and won't damage the later materials.

Congratulations on the W116 purchase - glad you like it. I hope you're not driving it in the NY winter. They have a reputation for rusting terribly.

Originally posted by NYDEISEL
I also have a mint 1984 300CD with a 110,000 miles

Hey NYDEISEL:
Would you happen to have a pic of your 300CD? I have a 1985 300CD with 108,000 miles, I'd like to see yours, I'm a sucker for nice lookin' 300CDs.:p Thanx.