Wiper arms and blades for '71 280

[bootes]

Can someone tell me if my wiper arms appear to be original for my '71 (I believe they are original)?  I know the black Bosch's are incorrect. Vetus blades were suggested here and they have stainless steel but the representative says they wont fit the arms on my car. Any suggestions on where to find 305mm correct blades in stainless? thanks in advance!

[Jordan]

If you are patient they show up on e-bay periodically.  There is a pair on there at present for $135 but that is outrageous.  I picked up a pair of SS arms last year from a guy in Cyprus for $25.  They fit very nicely.  I saw them again not too long ago so I am sure they will show up again.

[66andBlue]

Bootes,
it is difficult to know from looking at a photo whether the arms are correct or not, they do look OK. How long are they?
However, your rep is mistaken. The wipers for a 280SL should be 33 cm long those for a 230SL are 30.5 cm long. Now if you insist on buying the shorter - but wrong - blades they are indeed available from a seller in Cyprus; I just bought a pair also but the price is now $38. See: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220752830708
This particular auction is over but you can just send him an email through the eBay web site.
If you only need rubber inserts then buy them from BudsBenz and cut to desired length.

[IXLR8]

Hi--

You might want to check these out:

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=11901&familyName=AFI+Deluxe+Stainless+Curved+Wiper+Blades

Joe

[bootes]

Thanks for the suggestions. No rush here. My current blades have been on my car for more than 10 years. They are black Bosch's and are 11''.  I will keep my eye on ebay for stainless.

I was researching and Douglas Kim, a member of our website, posted the following back in '05:

Here's how the late Frank Mallory summed it up in his article in the 12/92 "Mercedes Collector" in his article on p.5-22 entitled "W 113 Wiper Woes -- and how to Prevent Them":

"Correct wiper blades for the W 113 series are 12.1" (305 mm) in length . . . 230 SL and '67 250 SL (polished); '68 250 SL and early 280 SL (painted); and late 280 SL (skeletonized)."

He shows a photo of each and shows the "painted" blade as a silver "closed" satin blade. So for an early 280 SL like Michael's, the one from Paul Hackman appears to be correct. My car, on the other hand, takes the skeletonized blade.

I should also note that I've seen different skeletonized blades too. They can have varying degrees of plastic throughout their construction depending on when they were made. I think the originals have less plastic and, as I noted earlier, have a tiny Bosch symbol stamped into them."

[66andBlue]

I remember that discussions quite well: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3856
However, I am not sure that one can conclude from this quote that the skeletonized (open) wiper blades on a 1971 280SL as delivered by MB were indeed only 305 mm long and not 330 mm.

[114015]

 Hmm ...

The (European, non-specific-US) parts list(s) do(es) not specify directly between 305 mm (millimeter) and 330 mm wiper blades per se but only that much:

There were two different wiper blade inserts (just the rubber) available:

000 824 08 27 for all cars until 044 (= 280 SL) serial 001199
and
000 824 12 27 for all later 044s from serial 001200 on.

The latter is still available from MB, the earlier one replaced by
000 824 50 27.
That one is also available but very pricey (3x as much as the 12 27).
Although I do not have these rubber inserts in front of me, I am pretty confidient that the later style (000 824 1227) is the 330 mm version and the other one(s) the shorter 305 mm version.
At least that appears logical to me.

With the complete wiper blades (rubber with metal holder) the situation is a bit more complicated.

Finding any of the original MB (= Bosch) wiper blades (rubber with metal holder) is a challenge today as all are NLA currently.
The last one available was the A113 820 0545.
I have an old pair of these flying around somewhere and will look up for you this weekend whether those are 305 or 330 mm long.

Maybe Bud's Benz or K&K or others still have some in stock.

Hello Bootes,

"Correct wiper blades for the W 113 series are 12.1" (305 mm) in length . . . 230 SL and '67 250 SL (polished); '68 250 SL and early 280 SL (painted); and late 280 SL (skeletonized)."

You definitely need the late(st) style of wiper blades, the skeletonized ones.


Achim