My 79 280SE has rust problems on the doors that appear to be easier solved by replacing the doors with some rust free examples. Issue is that I have manual windows and most of the doors I've looked at are electric. Can I swap out the electric mechanisms for my manual mechs? The local opinion is varied.

I have no direct experience with what you ask but why couldn't you just swap the whole interior door lining and triming when you swap the rest of the door? In other words, swap the doors but keep your interior. What is the reaosn given for those saying you can't?

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I would think that you would have swap over the window regualtor and basicly everything that is in the door. It will of course mount up. There will be a hole for the manual crank.

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The issue is the mechanics, not the trim, handles, etc. I have found a number of pristine W116 doors but they are all electric and my windows are manual. My local garage says that I need doors that are manual because the doors are entirely different. They say that my manual window mechanism won't transfer into an electric window door. It just doesn't seem the "Mercedes Method" to make two separate types of doors as I have seen cars with manual and electric windows mixed. Also, the shop offering me the doors says it can be done. Does anyone know for sure?