Which door switch is original?

[Starchild]

 I have two different style door switches. Drivers side is black plastic and the passenger side is metal. Are they both correct or for some reason has one has been changed out. Have owned the car for 30 years or more and never noticed this until yesterday when cleaning the excess grease off of the door hinges. Have had lots of old cars but never ever had to change out a door switch. Why would they be different?

[mdsalemi]

I believe that the black plastic one was a replacement somewhere along the chain of ownership. The metal one probably original to the car.

It’s not surprising that the driver’s door was the one changed.

There are many OEM parts supplied by MB that have changed in manufacture, materials or appearance over the past decades. This is one.

[rwmastel]

... until yesterday when cleaning the excess grease off of the door hinges.

Did you know a pointed tip grease gun is used to put grease into those door hinges?

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=25154

[Starchild]

Yes, am aware of the special tool needed to grease the hinges on the doors. Purchased some degreaser to clean up dirt, grease and grime under the hood and was tired of looking at the dirt and grease on the door hinges. Have avoided removing the excess grease of the hinges for 30 years thinking it was not a good idea to remove.

Car is scheduled with a top mechanic that repairs and maintains nothing but 50's through early 90's MB's. He works only on MB cars. Car will undergo a complete mechanical examination from top to bottom. ALL fluids and filters to be changed/ linkages fuel system/new hoses and belts/ grease points/ new king pin/ pretty much and E service. It won't be cheap but will have the satisfaction of knowing the car will be in top driving condition.