Is my mirror non original!?

[jaymanek]

I am looking for a right mirror as im struggling to reverse into my garage with only one.. but my left mirror doesnt appear to be either the "early" or "late" that I see advertised everywhere???
Could someone identify? I realise the pics arent the best but im not near the car to take fresh ones.

[benz55]

Your Mirror does not look original, the head looks like a correct early type 230SL-250SL part but the mirror base should have a pronounced curve in the mounting arm.

[mdsalemi]

Definitely not the proper (original) side view mirror for a 1969.

Proper one for the year looks like this:

[jaymanek]

blimey wonder whats happened then...

Did Italian cars have mirrors at all from the factory?

My car left Italy and spent a few years in the USA before being brought to the UK a couple of years ago so im guessing it was fitted in the USA.

The door will have mounting holes in it now so I probably dont have a lot of choice but to live with one mirror until I next get some bodywork done!??

[mdsalemi]

Whoa....

My car is US Spec.  Maybe there was an Italian mirror?  There were Italian lights, those little round ones...

[Richard Madison]

Hello:

My car was originally sold in Genoa Italy...has the small round front fender markers unique to Italy.

I believe my driver side mirror is original. It is the "standard" late style side mirror as on other280SL's.

Richard M, NYC

[Garry]

Jay,

You may still be able to fit the correct mirror as per Michaels photo without too much expense other than the mirror and gasket costs.

 I suggest you remove the inside door panel and unbolt the mirror and see where the holes are first.  As per Michaels photo, the mirror base that fits to the door is larger than what you have and may or may not fit the holes, but either way will fit one hole and a new hole could be put in the door and the mirror base and rubber gasket will cover the old hole anyway.  There may be no need for anything more than that.  That way you will be able to match your left and right hand mirrors.

Search on the forum there are previous items written for the correct positioning of the RH mirror.  Attached another photo of correct Mirror

Garry

[49er]

 Here is a photo of the mirror on my US spec '69 280SL. The gasket is about 1/2 inch (13mm) from the side window's chrome strip.

John

[jaymanek]

Thanks,

The first thing for me is to find a set of original mirrors. Most of the pics I "googled" show the mirror to be very close to the top of the door almost touching the chrome trim...

[mbzse]

../... my left mirror doesnt appear to be either the "early" or "late" that I see advertised everywhere.../..

Like is already pointed out to you here, the mirror face does look like the correct M-B type - stem is not. However, I think your present mirror stem looks quite ok, and your idea of leaving it there sounds reasonable. Perhaps just treat it a a peculiarity, making it just your own car  
If you remove it, as you mention, you will need to fill the holes now in the door skin. If you fill by means of welding, you will need to repaint the door - not trivial as you have a metallic paint. Cover buttons is the other alternative...
Cars didn't come standard with outer rear view mirrors. Probably yours had none from factory, and the dealer or an early owner fitted the mirror we see there now
/Hans in Sweden

[jaymanek]

Hi,

Yes I would only do the job properly, i.e. weld the holes and repaint that entire side.

Its a shame I dodnt know this before when I had the bonnet and front wings painted, it would have been convenient to get it done at that point.

Now that I know, I feel i have to correct it... Have already bought a genuine NOS right mirror now just a left one needed. Anyone got one?

[mbzse]

.../...Now that I know, I feel i have to correct it... Have already bought a genuine NOS right mirror now just a left one needed. Anyone got one?

Both side outer mirrors are available at Mercedes dealers, or other vendors, like SLS.... about 80 Euros
http://www.sls-hh-shop.de
/Hans in Sweden

[George Des]

My Italian 67 230SL came from the factory without the side view mirror. There were provisions for seat belts but none installed. It also had the small round repeaters and rear lenses with amber outters. There was no provision for an emergency flasher. It did come with the ZF 5 Speed and a 4.08 rear axle. In order to register with the military in Vicenza in 1976, I had to add a left side rear view mirror and for years drove around with a non-MB mirror. I also had to add a set of non-standard seat belts. When I later was assigned to Germany, I had to have the flasher installed under the dash in order to pass the U.S military safety inspection. When I did my resto several years ago, all of these were replaced with the correct items and a right side rear view mirror was added as well. The correct mirrors for both sides of the 230SL are still available as far as I know.

George

[jaymanek]

Ok thanks all, I just telephoned Mercedes who werent sure on which part number I want!

I need a left side mirror for LHD car... Anyone know? I make it A1108102116

[Garry]

The parts list shows that it should be p/n 110 810 21 16 (or possibly p/n 110 810 09 16 until chassis number 002979).

[jaymanek]

thanks mine is a late car so should be the 21 16

[jaymanek]

Ok the guy I bought the right mirror also has a left mirror.

In fact it seems he is one for the directory:

http://www.karkclassics.com/

ebay id: kcigermany

He has lots of parts that are not listed on ebay or on his site.

Even has eckel ski racks which I was tempted by until I saw the price of $2500.

[Garry]

Jay,

Search on this site re the vendor experience from other members, type in kcigermany in search

[jaymanek]

Oh no!! I should have done a search.

Well if i dont get my items soon ill just file a paypal case.

Also anyone tell me exactly what im looking for to confirm these are genuine MB items if and when they arrive.

The adverts dont just say NOS, they actuall say "brand new old dealer stock".

[badali]

If the part does not have the MB box it is most likely a repro part from  kcigermany.  Usually over priced also.  He will show a part on a MB wrapper or box then send a repro.  This happened to me on a plastic shift guide for my 230 SL.  Luckily I got away cheep compared to some.

[jaymanek]

Ok I will keep you guys informed, I deffo do not want a repro part.

[jaymanek]

Hi,

Well both my mirrors arrived!

Now how do I check they are originals? They look good to me, dont feel cheap.

There is some kind of logo on the base of the mirror next to a breather hole..

Inside the base of the mirrors is written 1 01 083 and below that R and U

The other one has 1 01 083  and L, U

Thanks

Jay

[Iconic]

OK, I need to know the answer to Jamanek's unanswered question in his last post.
How do we know if a late style mirror is original or reproduction?
Does the original have markings as he describes, or should I find other markings?
Thank you.

[jaymanek]

Iconic,

Im sure the mirror I bought is genuine as I looked at many pagoda's at the SL show here in the UK and they all had the same logo on the base of the mirror. (not the mercedes star)
And strangely I noticed that even the mirror on my much newer R107 SL has the same logo!

[Benz Dr.]

There might be some repro mirror stems available ( such as the ones used on 190SL's ) but the mirror head would be original. The early 113 mirror head is the same as a 190SL.

The mirror stem on your car looks a lot like the one on a 190D.