New Owner 280SL (UK): Advice needed

[dwahi]

Hi All

Glad to have joined the W113 Club recently, I will post pictures in a few days when hopefully it will be a bit sunnier!:)

Anyway, I wanted to ask you folks for some advice.

1. Headrests: My car came with its original seats but without headrests. I would like to get them installed, so do I need new seats or can someone fit these to the existing?

2. Seat belts: the current, original seat belts, are worn on the drivers side. I feel I should change them as they don't feel so secure. Shall i go for newer version with the reels or shall i just change the existing ones with new ones, without having to do more work on the car, as I wouldn't want to get anything drilled if I can avoid it. Also, what do you suggest in terms of comfort too?

3. Can anyone recommend a suitable workshop in and around London to do these jobs at a reasonable cost?

I'm sure there will be more, as I try to figure out more on this beauty!

It drives great, good oil pressure and pick up from standstill!

Thanks a lot for your help!

Regards

David

[Dave H]

Ive just bought a pair of "brand new" Kangol reflex inertia reel seat belts ,they are still in the box and the west yorkshire company has been in business over 50years.
They found 10 pairs of them during a stocktake at the back of the wharehouse where they have been just sitting  since 1968.....wow !!!
They are the aircraft style buckles without the horrible solid stalks and they really look the part ...ive just looked on e bay uk and they still have 5 pairs left at £129 each which is a bit of a bargain when you see what people are asking for old rusty worn out kangol belts.....when you see the boxs and the fitting instructions its like stepping back in time...beautifull things to look at ...check them out on e bay..the company is P.A Blanchard..
Hope this is some help..

[Markbhai]

Hi David and welcome to the club!

I bought mine last March and have done lots on it (small scale titivation) since I got it.  I cant comment on the seats, but I did change my seatbelts.

My car was built in 1967 and did not have belts from the factory, so one of the earlier owners had fitted lap belts (not inertia reel), these were white (well mucky grey by the time I got the car) so I wanted to change them.  I did some research and found a company (which I will post details later) who custom make them.  They can make anything you want, lap belts, inertia reel, stick stalks, sockets on belts, any colour, any buckle, chrome or black finish buckles etc, etc, - they were brilliant.

I will add a photo of mine tomorrow along with details of the price etc.

They werent cheap, but I can highly recommend.

I didnt go for inertia reel as to add these you have to do quite a bit of alteration and my car is highly original, in addition unless you fit the reel under the parcel shelf (which can cause snagging) then the reel goes on the floor behind the seat, which limits the distance you can put the seat back (so I believe) and I am 6 ft.

I hope this helps.

Mark.

[franjo_66]

Dave, thanks for the tip on the Kangol belts for sale. I have just bought a pair as well to replace the modern/aftermarket inertia belts that are currently on my car (the ones with the solid stalks!!)

Regards
Franjo

[JamesL]

I was going to say that if your reels and hardware are fine, but your belts are worn, contact FDTS and have Sue work up a new set for you. They did a brilliant job for me. And Naj...

[PeterW113]

Fitting headrests are relatively straight forward if you get the right ones. My cars metal seats frames had holes for the head rest fittings. However you need to source the right ones. The mounting brackets/tubes come in deferent sizes, if your lucky and get the right ones they fit straight on the frame. If they are to long you have to do some drilling. Can be done, but fiddly.  The best source is either Ebay Germany or US but watch out for tax and shipping charges if you source from the US.

I will try and find the fitting instructions so helpfully provided by other members.

Where about’s in London are you I'm in SE3?

Peter

[JamesL]

I'm just round the S circular in SE21 (car isn't...)

[dwahi]

Hi All

Thanks a lot or you replies, very helpful.

Thanks for the link to the Ebay seller, it does look very interesting! I will check it out for sure.

I would like to keep everything as original as practically possible without compromising too much on the safety...

I am in Central London W1, so happy to meet you guys one weekend! Is there a Merc car show or W113 run / gathering coming up this summer?

[Markbhai]

Here is my promised reply...

I bought my belts from FDTS and dealt with Sue who was very helpful and talked me through everything I needed to know.  The total cost for everything was £128 and that included chrome fittings and new Chrome bolts etc.  I was not dissapointed!

http://www.fdts-seatbelts.co.uk/belts.pdf

http://www.fdts-seatbelts.co.uk/

I have attached a photo, and I think you will agree, the new ones look great (especially compared with the old dirty white ones, now consigned to the bin).

Mark.

[dwahi]

Thanks a lot for that Mark they do look very nice indeed. I'll call them and try to get this organised. Thanks again

[PeterW113]

David & James,

I found the headrest installation information so if you would like to have a copy send me a PM with your email address and I will send what I have to you. Also I am sending you both a PM with my address and tel no so if you would like to meet up or passing by SE3 do drop in. If the Pagoda is on the drive it normally means I am in the garage tinkering with something Petrol related.

Peter

[Markbhai]

Jordon just reminded me (by PM) of a extra bit of advice re: seatbelts.

My car has straps attached to the tunnel to hold the buckle (rather than stalks) I think looks better, one thing I would say is do not put "eyes" in ithe tunnel to hold the buckles as these protrude and damage the chrome on the seats.  Use a standard chrome bolt.  Sue will help you at FTDS.

Thanks

Mark

[Darren]

David

As to your question re MB Specialist around London I send my car to Colin Ferns in Richmond (he posts on this site as stickandrudderman).

His work on my car has always been very good and whilst not cheap I consider his prices fair and reasonable. He is based in Richmond so not a million miles from W1

www.colinferns.com

Cheers

Darren.

[dwahi]

Thanks Darren, much appreciated!

Regards