Question for UK owners

[n/a]

I have just bought a 69 280SL.

I would like to know where the best source of good quality parts are in the UK or Europe.

I know that with Jaguar and Triumph part there are some pretty poor quality bits our there and I would like to avoid this happening with the SL.

I'm in need of interior door panels and seat covers at this time but I'm sure there'll be the need for more bits soon.

Thanks for your help
lee

69 280SL
70 Triumph TR6
73 Jaguar E Type V12 d/h
66 Sting Ray 427

[DavidBrough]

Hi Viper,

You will be very surprised by the number of items that can still be obtained from main MB dealers with many at reasonable prices. I and many others also use SLS in Germany who can usually deliver within 10 days and have an excellent on line catalogue at www.sls-hh-catalogue.de. If you want door panels and seat covers, these items are no longer available from main dealers but are listed by SLS. You may also want to try Roger Edwards motors for advice/second hand parts they are on 0208 9023509.

If you are not already a member, the MB Owners Club is recommended www.mercedes-benzownersclub.co.uk

Good luck


David Brough

[n/a]

Thanks David

I have small items coming from my MB dealer but the cost generally seems more expensive than SLS.

I have discovered SLS but needed some reassurance as to the quality of the bits they sell. In particular do you happen to know if the door panels are finished to the original MB Tex?

I have emailed them but I am still waiting for a response.

Do they have english speaking staff?

Sorry for the questions but I appreciate your help.

69 280SL
70 Triumph TR6
73 Jaguar E Type V12 d/h
66 Sting Ray 427

[rob walker]

Viper, welcome to the SL Group.
SLS have a fantastic selection of parts as you will see from their website and excellent delivery and after sales service.
Also Jacksons of Bournmouth have a specialist parts dealer called Mervyn and as comprehensive a catalogue as SLS if you want to go local.
Good luck Rob

Rob Walker

1968 280SL papyrus white/green leather
2004 230 SLK silver

[rob walker]

Viper, just thinking further Kevin O'Keefe is supposed to be the specialist in MB trimming for the UK, I can get you his email address if you need.

Rob Walker

1968 280SL papyrus white/green leather
2004 230 SLK silver

[AGT]

Lee

I have used SLS and local M-B dealer who will give a 10% reduction without much prompting. SLS work in English and call back with an order and price confirmation. SLS delivery costs are reasonable but it is worth  worth comparing SLS total cost including delivery with the M-B dealer price.

I bought a new interior from GAHH in Florida. Quality and fit were excellent. Service stunning - I ordered on a Saturday morning and the first delivery attempt was the Friday of that week to Edinburgh, Scotland. With the current £/US$ exchange rate GAHH prices are good although remember to budget for VAT and customs duties.

Regards
Edinburgh

[n/a]

Thanks for your help guys.

Rob that number for the specialist trimmer would be most useful please.

Maybe I'll get a email back from SLS eventually.

rgds
lee

69 280SL
70 Triumph TR6
73 Jaguar E Type V12 d/h
66 Sting Ray 427

[JamesL]

O'Keeffe Coach Trimming Services
Old Bull Cottage, Ledgers Rd, Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9QA
Tel: 01883 626721


A nightmare to find but when you do, you'll come across half a dozen gullwings...

Kevin originally restored my interior and earlier in the summer I had him do the carpets with the right ones. Looks much better

[rob walker]

Lee suprised if you are not getting an email response from SLS they have always come back within 24hrs, apart from when I remind him about the centre exhaust heat shield that he owes me!!!.

Try Bastian on petersen@sls-hh.de

Rob

Rob Walker

1968 280SL papyrus white/green leather
2004 230 SLK silver

[n/a]

Thanks agian guys

Just emailed SLS again and rang O Keefe's and spoke to Kevin, Seems like a really nice chap so thanks for the info. Looks like his lead time is next yr sometime.
rgds
lee

69 280SL
70 Triumph TR6
73 Jaguar E Type V12 d/h
66 Sting Ray 427

[rob walker]

In trimming terms in the UK for the best, he is worth the wait, you will get exactly as original from Kevin.

Rob Walker

1968 280SL papyrus white/green leather
2004 230 SLK silver

[n/a]

Apparently They restore cars there too, has anyone got any experience of them for this kind of work.

I'm thinking I might get the car painted and detailed. Or are there any recognised refurbishers in the SE.

69 280SL
70 Triumph TR6
73 Jaguar E Type V12 d/h
66 Sting Ray 427

[JamesL]

Viper

As I said, visting Kevins barns you'll find Gullwings galore in various conditions. He is really known for those but when I was there he had a 280SE (W111) and a Ponton Convertible in for restoration.

In the UK MB Club he's regarded more as an interiors specialist, although I wonder whether he would see it that way - it is however, most of their work and Kevin's background from what I can gather

He's a small team, so I would imagine the lead time he's given you is realistic

Also mentioned below is Roger Edwards Motors (Wembley). Know the mechanics inside and out, do restorations for owners and do rebuild the odd car to sell on themselves - Kevin does the interiors. They own their own bodyshop.

If you want my opinion.... get Edwards to do your mechanics, O'Keeffe to do your interior - they'd have no issue with you doing this, nor have an issue schlepping a car round the north/south circular.However, for bodywork.... tough one, my rear arches were done by Roger Edwards!

There's others around, TM Motors in West Molesey - recommended to me by Mechatronik - although no personal experience of them myself. Heaney (?) in NornIreland are known to Ben on here and If I recall will collect for you. There's also a restoration outfit in Poland (lost the URL)