Firewall pad

[mbzse]

.../...a firewall REPRO for only 54€.../...Is good material?

It is certainly very non-original looking. From factory, the pad was a waffle like diamond pattern (see below, and also pictures provided in this thread by John Mancini and John in Wisconsin).

What SLS offers is a flat type surface, a bit like a piece of leather.
So, yes/no depending on what you put into the word "good". I would not put it in any car...

[teahead]

The W113 is a big dollar car. 

Definitely put the correct waffle/diamond pattern firewall pad on there.  Not a place you want to chintz out on.

[RobSirg]

I recently installed both diamond pattern firewall paddings that are commercially available without (complete)success

The first one arrived on a roll and looked quite good. Adhesion was very good but my guy didn't do such a great job. In fairness to him the RHD ones are harder to install and the cut needed some work. I then tried the other brand which had a beautiful bitumen finish and was delivered flat but was quite difficult to install and I had some issues with delamination. (I think I got a refund - both suppliers are very reputable).
I have gone back to the previous one that came on a roll and will use another installer who claims he has had prior success. Wish me luck!

[JamesL]

Where did you get them? I'm not asking for a "name and shame" but RHD pads are not commonly available so any source might be better than none for some folk

[mauro12]

Guys but in general, a new pad is going to have an impact to create a noise reduction and heat inside the cabin?

[RobSirg]

Hi James,

The Diamond Pattern RHD Firewall pads are (were) available from 'Authentic Classics' and 'Vintage Euro Parts'. Honestly I cant remember which one was which as I purchased them a while ago.
All I remember is that in my case the one that was delivered on the cardboard roll was easier to fit (more pliable) and didn't delaminate.

As I said, the one that delaminated might have been a quality issue with that batch and was immediately refunded by the vendor.

To Maruo12's point - I don't expect it would have much impact on heat and noise transfer either but I would still select it for aesthetics. When you invest what I have in a total restoration it would be senseless to do otherwise.

On my 1969 280SL I managed to retain and restore the original firewall pad - even though the judges marked me down in a concours entry. I was never going to destroy it to get that extra point. (see below)

Regards,