Interior rearview mirror

[n/a]

Hi everybody,
My 1968 280 SL has a plastic interior rearview mirror, which I think is correct for this year. The glass is in poor condition.
I have the opportunity to buy a mirror's head alone (MB No 186 810 00 09).
When I look at my mirror, I can't understand how the head is attached to the arm?
Has anybody an experience with this dismantling? Thank you. Alain.

alain

[ChrisInNashville]

Alain,

This may be off topic to the question, and I may be very wrong on this, but I suspect the black plastic is a replacement.   I base this on the fact that I recently replaced my 'pitted' chrome mirror with a plastic one (since apparently chrome was determined to be a safety hazard).

Now, on topic, I know I've seen some posts here that discuss replacing the glass alone without removing the head...is this a solution to you?

[Naj ✝︎]

On the 280SL, I believe the mounting arm should be a part of the mirror head. I make the part # of the mirror head 115 810 0017.
The glass is not listed separately.

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[ja17]

Hello Alain,
"186" is a very old number. Check this may not be right, probably an older chrome head (190SL or old sedan etc.)

The mirror head on the 280SL is a ball and socket fit. It "pops" onto the arm, when the plastic is new and pliable the stem can be installed easily. As the plastic ages and becomes hard, it is more difficult. Be careful not to break the glass.
Most Mercedes sedans of the same year (or close) will have the same mirror with a shorter stem. Just change it over if you can find one.

As christietz has mentioned the early W113 cars had chrome mirror heads which can be dis-assembled to replace the glass.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[J. Huber]

A word of caution for early mirror glass replacement. Be sure you emphasize the early part. I received a new beveled glass piece from a reputable vendor but it was just a tad oversize. And, sorry to say, you can't really force glass into a smaller opening without a tragic result... [!]

James
63 230SL

[n/a]

Thank you for your answers.
I am pretty sure that the 280 SL was delivered from the beginning with a black plastic mirror's head. What's your opinion?
Joe, can you look at Ebay item 4556947307 and tell me if you think it is the right mirror's head?
Thanks.

alain