Sun visors- New vs Original

[hauser]

My visors are getting that old uneven warped appearence.  I'm looking at replacing them some time soon.  I'd like to hear from those that have replaced theirs.

How do the replacements compare to the originals?  Does anyone know if they are using the same type of internal materials? Or could it be what MB is using the same as their current sun visors.

Has anyone ever taken an original apart?  Tell us what's inside

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[gwuisman]

I took my original visor on the passangers side apart as the tightening screw did not work anymore. I was wondering why. It is not possible to look inside the visor without damaging it unrepearable. For me no problem because both visors were also in a bad shape and I wanted them looking well.

Inside you will find an iron framework, stiff board, foam and a sping that connects the frame with the axel that mounts to the upper style of the windshield. In my case the the spring was worn so that the screw could not thighten the spring to get the friction that keeps the visor in the disired position. The foam was totally desintegrating.

I decided to redo both visors. I kept the original frames and renewed the interior an exterior. The exterior has the collor of the dash now. Not original but much more in harmony with the car when driving with the top down. The original collor relates to the uni inside collor of all our soft and hard tops. On the passenger side I changed the glass miror in a polished iron one in order to increase safety. The polished miror and the springs I collected from a MB W115 on a scrap yard. In total the costs were about $ 150.

At that time I did not had a digi camera so I don't have pics of the interior. If you are interested I can post a pic of the result next weekend.

Gerard Wuisman
1970 280sl

[mdsalemi]

Hauser,

I replaced mine.  My original ones were so dingy from 30 years of aging (and my uncle who owned the car was a heavy smoker) that there was no saving them.  I bit the bullet and bought new ones.  They look, well new.  Perhaps not quite as finished and arguably a little "cheaper" looking if you look closely, but they are new, clean and they work.  Someone paid $80 for my old set on eBay so at least my cost was partially defrayed.


Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[J. Huber]

I too hit the hip for new ones back when I redid my interior. I had experimented with repairing old ones but decided it wasn't going to work.

Like all expenses with our cars, the pain quickly fades once you jump in and drive for a while ... I love the fact that they stay right where you put them. Only drawback for me was the newbies didn't come with a passenger side mirror.



James
63 230SL