Best Source for New Carpet

[JPMOSE]

I have read through several postings about carpet and it now gets down to one basic question:  Which vendor do I obtain this from?

I will be purchasing Dark Tan (in lieu of Cognac, which is no longer available) Square Weave for my 250SL.  Millers wants $595.  World Upholstery is around $520 (if the price from '05 is still good).  GAHH is $825. [:0]  I have dealt with GAHH in the past for my Jaguar (years ago) and was happy with them.  However, I have been told that square weave carpet comes from the same source in Germany.  Hence, what would I gain by spending $230 additional with GAHH over Millers?  If it is just for status, reputation or some reason as that I would prefer not to waste the money!  Would I gain anything from GAHH?

OK....I do have some additional questions:

1)  My 250SL has rubber mats in the front.  I want to replace this with square weave carpet and keep the mats aside (in case I ever show the car).  Is there a source of correct heel pads for the Pagodas?  I am assuming that 280SL's, which were furnished fully carpeted, had a heel pad with a Mercedes logo?  

2)  There is a rubber pad on the carpet next to the accelerator pedal (this carpet is fitted over the transmission hump).  Will this be included with replacement carpet or will I need to provide them with the old one?

Thanks for your help!

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL

[Douglas]

1. The heel pad on 280 SLs is NLA and did not have a large Mercedes logo (but it did have a tiny one with the 113 part number just below the pedal). There's a closeup photo at:

http://motoringinvestments.com/Swiss1.htm

2. There's no rubber pad next to the pedal on the factory 280 SL carpet. Not sure about 230/250 SLs.

3. The quality of the vendor assures you not only of the quality of the materials, but also the accuracy of the pattern.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[JPMOSE]

Thanks for the photo Douglas. I've decided to bring the car to Ron's Restorations for the carpet as well (Ron is replacing my original top of 39 years next week).  Ron gets his carpet from Germany and it's supposedly better than offered by "some" vendors (which ones I don't know).  He uses a heel pad that is very close to the original.  This will be fine since my car should have rubber mats in place of carpet anyway.  I sure wish the original Cognac color carpet was available in square weave.  

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL

[J. Huber]

I used Miller's German Squareweave. It does have a heel pad but it is not quite as large as the one Douglas shows. Overall, I am happy with the carpet -- only part that bugs me is the floor mats are a little squirmy (couldn't find the word...they don't settle firmly around the edges) This could be because I have added an additional insulation pad underneath them.

James
63 230SL

[Chad]

I really don't have much experience here, just with one car.  But everything I have bought from GAHH has looked very very much identical to the original pieces I have replaced (and needed replaced). Certainly good enough for me. I have yet to scratch my head when looking at their products or sending anything back to them.

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by JPMOSE
I sure wish the original Cognac color carpet was available in square weave.  

I don't know exactlywhat the original Cognac looks like but among the samples that I received from KHM (http://www.cabrio.de/Englisch/navi.htm) there is one that looks very much like cognac to me - well more like Martell than Remy Martin
Email me your address and I'll forward the sample to you.

quote:However, I have been told that square weave carpet comes from the same source in Germany.

I don't believe that this is correct. There are still a few weavers in the vicinity of the MB plant that produce square weave carpet. The upholstery from whom I ordered mine (http://www.werner-interieur.de/html/englisch.html) told me that just recently someone bought all the looms from an older company that had been closed and will start up that product line again. So, there is hope!
Also be aware that not all square weave carpets are identical in quality and that you can get different types from the same supplier. See the picture of the different samples that I posted in another thread: http://sl113.com/forums/index.php?topic=4824  


Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by J. Huber

 -- only part that bugs me is the floor mats are a little squirmy (couldn't find the word...they don't settle firmly around the edges) This could be because I have added an additional insulation pad underneath them.

James,
My factory original (I assume) floor mats are screwed down at their corners to the floor boards and firewall.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[ramcdonald]

I am in the process of installing the dark tan square weave.  I bought it from UPH and am happy with the quality of the carpet and the workmanship.
It is necessary to trim several of the pieces to get them to fit.  Being a rank amateur, this took me several hours iterating between trimming and fitting.
The carpet is replacing original cognac loop.  So far, I prefer the look of the square weave (of course it is 35 years newer!)

Richard