Carpet on transmission tunnel

[zak]

I recently purchased a new carpet set ( and seat covers ) from GAT for my 250 SL in dark blue.
So while my seats were out of the car for seat covers i took the opportunity to remove some of the carpet pieces to inspect the floor areas for any surprises. Happy to say no surprises.
But when I removed the carpet on the trans tunnel it had a separate foam underlayer beneath the carpet.  The underlayer material did not look original.
Was there originally any underlayment on the trans tunnel to make the carpet sit square on top as the tunnel itself does not have a 90 deg corner on either side it's a bit rounded softer curve.
I have seen some interiors where the carpet is flat and square on top of the tunnel and I have seen some that appear a bit lumpy.  I like the un-lumpy look....
I hope I have made myself clear.
Any advice is appreciated.
thanks,

jz

[Pawel66]

I have it lumpy as I put thick sound insulation there.

[Shvegel]

My 1970 had a layer of glass fiber with an aluminum backing. I removed it from the original carpet and affixed it to the new.

[Jonny B]

A friend of mine and I are replacing the carpet in his 250 SL. There was no foam under the carpet (we believe the carpet was original) and there was a black felt like material covering the tunnel. It did feel like there was some tar like coating. The old carpet came off very easily with hardly any of the black material being removed. We just put the new piece in place over the black material. Photo attached.

[zak]

Yes JonnyB , I have the thin black felt/tar like material on the trans tunnel as well. I think that was original. Shvegel, I have never seen the glassfiber and aluminum underlayment. Do you think that was for noise attenuation ?
Pawel, you mentioned sound insulation. Did you do floors as well and is it effective ?
My carpet installer is also rehabbing my rattling windows and suggested he install the sound insulation onto the door inner faces and along with the window repair while the door cars are out and the door closing will "sound like a vault" .  Has anyone done this with success?

thanks,

jz

[johnk]

I just added my left Over X-mat to the inside of my doors and it seems to make big difference.

[Pawel66]

I did the same thing and it does make a difference.

[Shvegel]

Zak,
I think the later 280's switched to the aluminum covered material.  Most likely sound and heat attenuation.  I forgot to mention my carpet also had a layer of stiff cardboard like posterboard between the insulation and the carpet.  I think it helps keep the carpet flat on the tunnel.

[zak]

Thanks. I think I will apply the Xmat type material inside the doors and try the cardboard over the trans tunnel to flatten.
My carpet is kind of lumpy on top of the tunnel and the 2 carpet seams ( edging ) run a bit wavy.

jz