Replacement bumpers

[rubenpadron]

Hi all,

1970 280 SL noob here... thanks for such a great site and great info!

On recommendation from several folks on this site, I've purchased needed brake bits for a recent brake job from Rockauto (rockauto.com) and was quite happy with their parts.

BUT, not sure how brake quality translates into bumper quality... I was wondering if anyone has had experience with aftermarket bumpers sold at Rockauto? The manufacturer is listed as "URO Parts" and are listed for ~$350 for each end of the car.

Would appreciate any info or opinions on these bumpers. A note on my car: is is a very solid driver quality car, not a show car. Thus, I'm looking for a nice set of bumpers, preferably without over-riders, but not willing to pay top $ for OE MB pieces.

Thanks in advance!

Ruben
1970 280 SL

[66andBlue]

I don't know anything about Uro reproduction bumpers but if you do not want to pay for MB parts then take a look at the stainless steel bumpers produced by the Harrington Group. See: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=15432.0.
Some people here seem to be happy with them.

[rmmchl]

i bought the Uro soft deck lid rubber seal and a few other seals. They were half the cost, so I gave them a try. They looked right---but "almost fit" . And we all know, almost fit doesn't get it!  The rubber was not OEM quality. Pieces of it literally fell apart after a few weeks of closing the lid.  The trunk seal I bought wasn't even close. I didn't even try to install it. I sent it back for a refund.  Thank the car gods for 3m adhesive remover and cleaner in a can. I had to take out the seal, remove the adhesive from  my new paint job, call bud's and order the real deals that of course,  fit perfectly.

[rubenpadron]

Thanks for the replies guys... I'm having a hard time thinking that they can get bumpers right if they can't get rubber seals right, so I'll pass and have a look at the stainless steelies.

Thanks!

Ruben
1970 280 SL

[Garry]

Here is another source that some have said are ok also.  Don't know about shipping to US from her but it wont be that big I don't think.

Garry

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MERCEDES-BENZ-230-250-280-SL-PAGODA-ROOF-CHROME-BUMPER-/140615643373?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20bd5870ed

[66andBlue]

....  The trunk seal I bought wasn't even close. I didn't even try to install it. I sent it back for a refund.  ...

I do not want to hijack this topic but I am not sure what kind of trunk seal you bought Michael or how you tried to install it.
I bought a trunk seal - together with several other Uro parts - from Rockauto and it does fit very well - see photos.  This seal is not symmetric, it comes in one piece, and the corners need to be at the bottom. At $30.79 it was well worth taking a risk. I have not yet glued the seal in but just wanted to make sure that I will fit when I am ready.

[rmmchl]

Alfred:  pertaining to the deck lid seal---------- the corners where it goes around the hinge side would not lay correctly. The OEM original one laid right down in that area. I did a dry run with the OEM without adhesive and it layed perfectly. The Uro would not lay in the 2 hinge side corners correctly. Also, the original was a more grayish color of rubber. The Uro was a more black, not that the color made a difference.  I sent it back and after I compared it  to the OEM one. I wish it would have fit. It was half the price of the original.  I failed to mention that I did indeed use the Uro door seals. They worked out very well, and they were only about $40.00 each.  The deck lid seal did not work out very well for me. But who knows, for others it might suffice.

[rmmchl]

Alfred------I just looked at your deck lid seal picture. Thank you for showing it. It was exactly like my Uro deck seal that I sent back. Your picture shows that it probably will not fit like the OEM  around the corners by the hinges. If you purchased an OEM you would see the drastic difference. I hope that you do not try to glue it until you check into this further.  If you  compare an OEM to the aftermarket you will see the difference. My lid would not close on a dry run with the Uro. It did close with the oem. Notice the wider part of the channel around the hinges. The oem seal is flatter here , and covers more of that wider area of metal

[66andBlue]

Michael,
I do appreciate you warning and concerns, but the trunk lid closes down fine. Perhaps the company did improve the material. I do have an OEM seal in my 230SL and I cannot see much of a difference, aside from the color and that the URO part is a bit softer.