(1979 300SD) I have recently had my windshield seal reaplced, and it still leaks. Not nearly as bad as it use to. I know it's not related to the body, becasue the water is coming in between the seal and the window. In particularly in the LL corner, and just a bit on the LR. I took it back and it seems they put some sealant in there, but it still is leaking. On the inside of the car I can see a gap on the inside of the windshield where the water is building up in. I can feel the gap with my fingers when I reach across the dash. Anyways, I bought it off and internet vendor on ebay, it was an aftermarket seal of course. Well, I need to replace my rear windshiell seal and I didn't know if I should buy an aftermarket one off ebay, adist, or cough up the money for the dealer. I will not do this myself, but will have it done professionally.
Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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OEM is best as the aftermarkets often do not fit well enough not to leak.

If you do use sealant, use the factory stuff and follow the factory directions -- I believe this means insert under the rubber on the outside next to the glass.

Be aware that it may take a few days for the rubber to settle and completely seal, and if you use vulcanizing sealant before that, it may never seal because the hardened sealant will prevent the rubber conforming to the glass and the body.

I've got aftermarkets for the 280, need to get them in soon, so I will report on them when I do.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I will be pulling the rear windsheild out of my SDL this month, I will spend the money an oe seal. Aftermarket stuff tends to be crap, I learned that after having two napa valve cover gaskets leak on my Camry. Their is a reason it is cheaper. (but not always)

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Does fastlane sell OEM seals, or where (other than the dealer) can I get one?Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Yes, for windshield and door rubber, DO NOT purchase aftermarket stuff. GET THE MB STUFF FROM THE DEALER. There are a number of "aftermarket" types both from Asia and made by supposedly "quality" European firms such as Meyle. These are significantly cheaper than the MB stuff.

The MB stuff is of far higher quality rubber, and more importantly it FITS BETTER and installs with far less hassle. You will have a better seal with the MB stuff.

Cheers,
Gerry

Yes, for windshield and door rubber, DO NOT purchase aftermarket stuff. GET THE MB STUFF FROM THE DEALER. There are a number of "aftermarket" types both from Asia and made by supposedly "quality" European firms such as Meyle. These are significantly cheaper than the MB stuff.

The MB stuff is of far higher quality rubber, and more importantly it FITS BETTER and installs with far less hassle. You will have a better seal with the MB stuff.

Cheers,
Gerry

Hello,
So the MEYLE and FEBI rubber seals are fake? I replaced the seals front and rear on my W115, front was a Meyle and it leaks in rain, the rear is a Febi and does not leak. The Febi front seal did not have the groove+slot molded on it for the bright trim, just a plain slot. Dealer does not carry parts for anything older than W124 around here.

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Nachi11744

I used an aftermarket trunk seal that is crap, now I will have to redo it. So it is going to take me twice as long and cost twice as much in the end.

nachi11744 the dealer usually has to order the parts for me, they usually get them overnight or in a few days to a week if the have to come from Germany. I got one part from them that under their sticker had a sticker form a Stugart(sp?) dealer under it!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Dare I ask how much it would cost for a rear windshield gasket from the dealer?
Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Now thats a good question, I *think* mine is about $80, I will find out soon I will be needing it.

If you don't feel like going to the dealer, I'm sure Phil could get an oe seal.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The only "Bad" aftermarket seal I've had was the boot lid (on an 86 560SL). The others worked well, even the infamous pillar post seal. The price difference is significant.

I think part of the bad rap is that when a car gets old, the adjustments go out of whack but the original seals bend and conform to the misadjustments. You put in new seals, and they seem like they don't fit. The top of my 560 is full of subtle window-top and boot lid adjustments.

[QUOTE=nachi11744
Hello,
So the MEYLE and FEBI rubber seals are fake? I replaced the seals front and rear on my W115, front was a Meyle and it leaks in rain, the rear is a Febi and does not leak. The Febi front seal did not have the groove+slot molded on it for the bright trim, just a plain slot. Dealer does not carry parts for anything older than W124 around here.[/QUOTE]

To my knowledge, Meyle is not an OEM for Mercedes-Benz. They do have quite an aftermarket business supplying a lot of various parts including seals, but their seals are not on par with the factory seals. Asian seals are crap and should be avoided at all costs.

Yes the cost differential is significant, but as I said the factory seals go in and fit much much more nicely than "aftermarket" seals.

Cheers,
Gerry

Not to mention my factory seal is still soft after 17 years!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200