Greetings.

Compounded problem here. My W124 E420 has the dark blue interior which was apparently more susceptible to the dreaded door pocket peel than other interior trim combos. This “peel” is the condition where the MB-Tex comes away from the plastic map pocket at the lip. That was bad enough, but the PO had a break in and the hack glass shop damaged the door panel on the driver's side.

I set about to fix the peel (both sides) and discovered the damaged panel components as I removed the panels.

I’ve now discovered that the panel is a multi-piece unit. The inset (usually leather and peated), the map pocket, the arm rest and the basic shell. These are all held together by a clip (black) system with white toothed locks that secure the sections into an integrated whole. These clips also double as the hooked piece that hold the door panel to the metal door frame. All of these plastic parts are “riveted” to the composite door panel with plastic rivets.

On my driver’s side 2 hooks and two of the clips are broken off. I may have broken one of the clip setups on the passenger side. I was extremely careful and was disappointed in the materials used in this particular assembly.

Here’s my problem/situation. I’m looking for a source for the clips if possible. In the alternative, I’m looking for door panels in outstanding shape that I can use. The dealer can get the map pockets from MB and I can drill out the plastic rivets and attach the new ones with screws and washers where the plastic rivets were. I did a “search” and turned up Findlay Industries. They sold their door panel business “to some Europeans a couple years ago.” The usual suspects (GHAA, World) don’t do door panels.

Anyone tackled this situation in the past? Suggestions, alternatives, sources are greatly appreciated

__________________
KyGuy
'04 E500 Brilliant Silver/Ash (50K)
'01 ML320 Desert Silver/Parchment (67K)
'99 C230 Kompressor Black/Black (62K)
'93 Mitsubishi Montero (134K)(Home Depot Express)


'70 6.3 Gold/Tobacco (128K) (sold and now in Germany)
'94 E420 Silver/Blue (80K) - Sold
'97 E320 PearlBlack/Parchment (77K) - Sold
'66 300SE Coupe (owned 2002-2003)

KyGuy, I'd expect that a dealer's Parts Department can get the door panel clips. All the plastic clips get brittle with age and some need replacing when disassembling various components. I know for a fact that the Parts Department sells replacement clips for the lower body cladding panels. It's hard to imagine that you'd be forced to buy a new interior door panel because one of the plastic clips broke.

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Fred Hoelzle

considering plastic is supposed to last for hundreds of years before decomposing in landfills, I think Mercedes might be on to something here

Most of the clips in my door panels have been wired back together. Would love to find a source for new ones.

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1987 300e manual 250,000 km (sold)

Turns out the dealer can get the map pocket pieces. Not cheap ($119each), but beautiful and new. One came from SoCal, the other Germany. Driver's door had one of the clips broken off and the MBTex was peeling. Inner door clip search has proven to be a nightmare. Found place in Europe that might be able to help, but self-help remedies may be just as successful. Local upholstery shop is removing old pocket sections and affixing the new ones today. More info tomorrow on reinstallation and perhaps a photo or two.

Ciao for now.

__________________
KyGuy
'04 E500 Brilliant Silver/Ash (50K)
'01 ML320 Desert Silver/Parchment (67K)
'99 C230 Kompressor Black/Black (62K)
'93 Mitsubishi Montero (134K)(Home Depot Express)


'70 6.3 Gold/Tobacco (128K) (sold and now in Germany)
'94 E420 Silver/Blue (80K) - Sold
'97 E320 PearlBlack/Parchment (77K) - Sold
'66 300SE Coupe (owned 2002-2003)

How did all of this work out? My map pockets are doing the same thing. So it the driver's side pillar.

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

They worked out well. About 18 months into this and no signs of peeling. Finding the panel shell is very difficult. Mine had been damaged by a glass shop that didn't know what they were doing and putting the driver's side completed panel together was time consuming. I don't want to have to remove it again.

KyGuy

__________________
KyGuy
'04 E500 Brilliant Silver/Ash (50K)
'01 ML320 Desert Silver/Parchment (67K)
'99 C230 Kompressor Black/Black (62K)
'93 Mitsubishi Montero (134K)(Home Depot Express)


'70 6.3 Gold/Tobacco (128K) (sold and now in Germany)
'94 E420 Silver/Blue (80K) - Sold
'97 E320 PearlBlack/Parchment (77K) - Sold
'66 300SE Coupe (owned 2002-2003)