Best heater levers?

[zdr]

Hi - first post with this forum.  Just got my recently deceased grandmother's '69 280 SL back into the family and am restoring it.  One issue is that all of the heater/vent levers are broken off.  I am ready to replace and see there are many options out there at different prices.  $80 each from local MB dealer, $140 for a set on eBay, $25 each on Pelican Parts.  I don't mind paying a little extra if it means the MB stuff will actually last longer.  Does anyone have personal experience/knowledge on how all the different ones compare?  I'd rather not have to do this again in 10 years.

Thanks very much,
David

[rjmarco]

I bought a replacement set from the Classic Center a few years ago to replace what I believe were the originals.  I only did this since I had the dash all apart and figured it was a good time to renew the old plastic ones fearing they had become embrittled.  I find the new ones to be a little spongy in feel rather than rigid like the originals.  This makes me feel that if I push the levers too hard that I'll break them.  Hope this helps in evaluating your options. 

[gimp]

I bought a set from Star Quality parts of Maryland for $210.00 in 2011.
They look and feel original plus they fit.
Frank

[66andBlue]

What ever you buy make sure that the colors match the old ones to some degree, there are some awful reproductions out there.
Also there can be a problem with the grey lever as described by JA17 here:
 http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=17805.msg123896#msg123896  take a close look at his photo.
Also read this: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=12472.msg84481#msg84481

[zdr]

Thanks all for the tips.  I tried to find Star Quality Parts but wasn't able to - they may be out of business.  I believe mine is amber (orange) instead of grey.  Is that determined by year?
David

[66andBlue]

Current reproductions sold here in the US are made by Febi and the red and blue disks that you see for sale are quite acceptable. The problem is the third color for the "up/down" selector disk, they vary from yellow to smoky dark orange. To me the greyish disk shown in JA17's photo is most correct one.

[Shvegel]

I used Febi brand levers 10 years ago and all is well.

[zdr]

Thanks, I'll give them a try.