Change from late style side mirrors to early ones

[RobSirg]

Hi,

My 250SL has the (280SL) late style side mirrors but should have been fitted with the (much nicer looking) early Goose-Neck style, and I have been toying with the idea of changing them over. (another lockdown project

I know the holes do not match but presumably I could use one of the holes and drill a hole for the other? I'm guessing/hoping that the rubber grommet would cover the old (unused) hole and I would not have to fill and repaint my entire door?

Or perhaps I need to drill two new holes to make sure the grommet covers. Is there a backing plate? I don't mind drilling the holes but if the old holes need to be filled then I wont bother.

Has anyone ever done this? Are my assumptions correct? Any other tricks and traps?

Rob

[wayne R]

H Rob ,
I went all through this a while back with a forum here, probably 18 months ago,
to help you, yes as you said probably use  one of the holes and remount,there is no  backing plate
on the under side of the later 280 mirrows that i fitted to my 230, but used good size washers,
yes thats correct i did the opposite to you, except the  lady that owned my 230 in CA, was 86 years old
and she had these huge big mirrows out on both fenders ,so i removed and fitted later 280 SL to correct position,
and refilled holes and painted my self.
Also i may be wrong here , but the 280SL mirrows i dont think  stick out as much as the  early goose neck 230SL.
so not as prone to bumping  or knocking into.---regards.

[Jordan]

Rob, not sure about the holes but you shouldn't need a backing plate.  Once you remove your door panels have a look up inside the door where the mirror sits and you will see that the area has already been reinforced with a plate, courtesy of MB.

[RobSirg]

Thanks Wayne & Marcus,

Just what l wanted to hear.

Looking forward to installing the correct mirrors to my 250SL!

Cheers

Rob

[calicoup]

Please check your serial number. If it is a late 250sl then your current mirrors are correct and most likely original.

[Jonny B]

The changes for the 250 SL (including the new outside mirror) came starting with the VIN 2980. These are listed in Pagoda Notes Vol 10 no 4 - reprinted from Frank Mallory's Mercedes Collector magazine, and use with permission from Frank Mallory Jr.

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

Could someone tell me easily if the early mirror base would cover the same area as the later version mirror?  My later mirrors seem to measure 3 3/4" and 2 3/4" on the lower edge by ~1" wide including the black base  It would be nice to have the correct ones but I no desire to get into paint issues

merci

jb

I probably answered my own question looking at catalogs as I see the later is a square base and the early a teardrop base

[RobSirg]

Thanks Jonny ( and others),

Yes l was aware of this. Mine is an “early” version - the VIN is in the 1800’s.

Manufacture date early May, 1967.....which coincidentally is the birthdate of another Pagoda Group member who owns the identical car but in LHD version. ( IE: Tunis Beige 250SL, Manual, Both tops, PS)......go figure!

I guess during a past resto is was easier for someone to source the later style mirrors which they had installed on both sides.

[doitwright]

One thing to double check on is the placement of the early style passenger mirror. I believe it is not the same distance from the edge of the door as it is on the drivers side and not the same as the later style due to obstruction of the windshield frame. I believe I read this somewhere on this forum.

[RobSirg]

Thanks Frank - good point. I am probably bound by the placement of the existing holes. The current mirror placement is certainly functional but will change when the change in mirrors.  I have noticed on one of my other cars that the passenger side mirror was more for decoration than function.

[Pawel66]

One thing to double check on is the placement of the early style passenger mirror. I believe it is not the same distance from the edge of the door as it is on the drivers side and not the same as the later style due to obstruction of the windshield frame. I believe I read this somewhere on this forum.

I also remember this point. It may mean you cannot fit the passenger goose neck mirror in such a way it covers the holes...

[RobSirg]

Or it may mean that the passenger side mirror is more for decoration?

I’m not all that old .....but l can remember when cars typically had only one side mirror.

I think l have enough confidence to continue driving with only the drivers side mirror

[Garry]

Rob,


My left hand mirror is wrongly positioned and has only partial vision rearwards but is still better than nothing. The error of fitting them at equal distance from front of door.


Only when driving is it noticeable to the driver, otherwise it looks just normal on the car.


Garry

[wayne R]

I did not show my passenger side 280SL mirrow that i fitted,
will give measurements, may help,   with the drivers side i fitted it ,1 1/8 inches
from door gap,--and with passenger side  1.5/8 inches from door gap,and it is perfect
position i can see while driving very good, and i realize that early goose neck probably
could be positioned slightly different position.

[Paul & Dolly]

I have an early RHD 250SL , but with the newer mirrors installed,

They are 7 cm from the door gap on the Drivers side
and 5 cm from the door gap on the passengers side.

They work fine.

Keep well

Paul

[RobSirg]

Hi Paul,

How to believe it came about that you have an early model 250SL with the later style mirrors? (same as myself)

Do you (as I am ) assume during an earlier resto, that for convenience or aesthetics, a previous owner installed the later style mirrors? (or was this by yourself?)

In the back of my mind I fear that the maybe the "rules" - about what was provided before and after certain VIN's sometimes do not apply to RHD versions. I think there are other examples where RHD versions do not always conform.

It wont prevent me from changing my mirrors as I prefer the look of the goose-neck mirrors and feel I can rightfully change because that is what states in some MB log.

Regards,

[Paul & Dolly]

Hi Rob,

Who knows what has occurred in the past, ( I learnt that when I had a 1936 Alvis)
 I have many records, but it has been through 11 owners, and 2 Garages, ..so I have always assumed someone updated its look at some time.

My data card is 10 Mai 1967, (......001943)

is yours earlier or later ?

I hope the Covid situation is improving for your area,

Keep well

Paul

[RobSirg]

Hi Paul,

My car is 2 days older than yours - must have passed each other on the production line at Sindelfingen at some stage 

Our daily COVID case numbers are coming down - we are all hoping we can get low enough by mid-Sept to remove these severe restrictions we are currently under.

My 250SL has been my daily drive during these lockdowns - it gets to go on a daily shopping trip and maintains good social distance in the parking lot.

Cheers

[RobSirg]

Just checked my VIN - its ….001876. Did they really push out 67 cars in 2 days?

Doesn't quite add up does it? I wonder if we can get the production numbers for Mai (may) 1967

[RobSirg]

Actually, doing the numbers and considering overall production numbers for 1967 and working days - I think 67 Pagoda’s in 2 days is about right.

May must have been a more productive month too - not holiday season