Author Topic: POLL: Pagoda Idiosyncrasies (Read 64587 times)

mdsalemi · « **Reply #25 on:** January 08, 2007, 08:19:01 »

Cees mentioned the automatic starting in 2nd gear; this is quite peculiar in my opinion, but you can't talk about that without talking about the extremely low 1st gear; were the designers thinking everyone with an automatic was going to tow a caravan in the Alps?

I have never even come remotely close to using the 1st gear, practically speaking--it is all but useless. The only time I have used it is to verify that it is there and works!

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

n/a · « **Reply #26 on:** January 08, 2007, 09:26:21 »

What a great and informative thread for new owners - from the "where is 4th gear?" question to the "what is that screeching noise from behind the tach?" question, I'm eating this up.

al_lieffring · « **Reply #27 on:** January 09, 2007, 13:22:44 »

The window cranks turn the opposite direction of most other cars with hand cranked windows.

66 230sl
113-042-10-014715
904/396 blue, Ivory Tex
condition: not-as-rusty-as-before-bucket

nick350 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 09, 2007, 14:21:21 »

The tight turn radius.

quote:
Originally posted by jaxxonia

One feature I love is the responsive steering & very tight turning radius.
It's great when I get lost on winding mountain roads.
I am surprised I have never heard any 113 owners mention
the tight turn radius!

Happy motoring!

Nick350
r107 SL red

waltklatt · « **Reply #29 on:** January 09, 2007, 15:00:25 »

Not to let the cat out of the bag, but I love the third seat convenience.
When using the 280SL as an everyday driver I had this big bulky pull out chassis radio-remember those? I always lifted the seat bottom and put the radio into the compartment and put the seat back down. Presto a neat hiding place for the radio rather than carry it around with me.
Now I have a bench seat, but do have a 3rd seat in my parts collection.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

JPMOSE · « **Reply #30 on:** January 12, 2007, 06:23:09 »

The unique cable and switch for starting only in park/neutral and powering the reverse lights. I don't think any other Mercedes of the time used this configuration.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

bsimaz · « **Reply #31 on:** January 12, 2007, 10:03:09 »

The way I have to give the dash a little tap to get the left light behind the heater levers to come on at night.

Maybe that's just mine.

Oh well.... And, having to move the clock forward a few mintes....

Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road

ted280sl · « **Reply #32 on:** January 12, 2007, 14:54:30 »

I have never seen another car with a bleeder screw to eliminate air from the cooling system. I do not believe it is on all of our cars. On mine it is on top of the thermostat.
Ted 1969 280SL

Bob G ✝︎ · « **Reply #33 on:** January 13, 2007, 05:07:34 »

Unique headlight system & headlight switch the controls parking lights for the right and left side in dark areas.

Bob Geco

Douglas · « **Reply #34 on:** January 14, 2007, 08:47:13 »

The delicate window wipers that operate in a "clapping hands" pattern.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

gwuisman · « **Reply #35 on:** January 15, 2007, 16:05:14 »

The badly positioned alarm swich behind the steering wheel as if the designers have thought that a pagoda driver never will need the swich.

Gerard Wuisman
1970 280sl

Douglas · « **Reply #36 on:** January 15, 2007, 21:58:07 »

Okay, now that we're on the subject of less-than-ideal details..... what about that annoying screw that sits above the ventilation levers? It's screwed into the leather (or Tex) and, to my eye, has always stuck out like a sore thumb.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

66andBlue · « **Reply #37 on:** January 16, 2007, 10:52:39 »

Douglas,
can you post a picture please? I don't remember it, but since I am redoing the interior perhaps I'll eliminate that screw if it is possible.
Thanks!

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

Douglas · « **Reply #38 on:** January 16, 2007, 12:15:59 »

Here's the best shot I could find:

Download Attachment:

dash1.jpg
53.18 KB

It's the little bugger above the ventilation levers. (It's almost as if the upward arrow was designed to point it out!)

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

waltklatt · « **Reply #39 on:** January 16, 2007, 12:30:28 »

That screw can be painted the color of the dash covering. But yeah, it does bugger me too.

Another thing that bugs me is the glovebox lid. It is nearly impossible to get it aligned right with the rest of the dash. Too many things to adjust to make it all flow seamlessly. And how they seem to loose the tightness after a while. Then there are the two small forks and spring that seem to want to pop out when they want.

Walter
1967 220SL-diesel-crooked glovebox door.

J. Huber · « **Reply #40 on:** January 16, 2007, 12:39:42 »

Well, I just had to take a drive to see what the heck you guys were talking about...

Mine has a most likely incorrect but stainless screw. I dont really see it unless I bend down. It could also be that the 230 with its more squared-off dash covering hides it a little more than the more puffy rounded ones on 280s...

James
63 230SL

66andBlue · « **Reply #41 on:** January 16, 2007, 15:15:35 »

Aah .. that screw. Thanks for the picture, Douglas.
I wonder whether it is necessary.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

JPMOSE · « **Reply #42 on:** January 16, 2007, 16:27:02 »

Never even noticed there was a screw! :mrgreen:

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #43 on:** January 16, 2007, 16:31:12 »

Never saw that screw on my 280 either!

It seems like every day there is something new to discover about this little car, already for years and years ...

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

Ricardo · « **Reply #44 on:** January 17, 2007, 07:06:52 »

OK since we're pointing out the little things that we "think" could have been better designed, how about the gas tank/filler neck setup. I don't know if I've ever completely filled my tank, cause she's a little too heavy to pick up and burp. Certainly can't get an attendant to patiently slow fill her, so I almost always fill it myself and with such a little tank (early style) you need every drop you can squeeze in there to make it to the next gas station

tdun824259 · « **Reply #45 on:** January 17, 2007, 10:20:27 »

Alfred,

I put new leather on my dash pieces about two years ago. The molded upper dash piece that this little screw goes through fits so tight that the screw isn't necessary. I didn't like the looks of the screw either so I never put it back in and nothing rattles. There are obviously other dash screws, but I suppose because of position this one bothered me about as much as the forward window pillar screws. Unfortunately, they had to be in place so I just don't look at them!

Tim Dunagan
1971 280 SL

Ben · « **Reply #46 on:** January 18, 2007, 09:14:55 »

I also love the way the soft top box lid closes the boot/trunk if you lift it when the boot/trunk is open !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

J. Huber · « **Reply #47 on:** January 18, 2007, 23:08:10 »

I was reminded of one just this evening...

How about the way the driver's door seems like its about 8 feet long as you open it in a parking space with a car parked right next door...It just keeps opening and opening and you are sure its going to bang that car!

James
63 230SL

waltklatt · « **Reply #48 on:** January 19, 2007, 08:34:40 »

Just learned something interesting. And please pardon my ignorance, no insult intended.
The ignition key for the right hand drive cars is on the left side of the steering column. Thought they were the same all over, on the right side.
Also the hood/bonnet release cable is on the left side too. So you basically have to operate both doors to get out/in from the drivers seat and then open the passengers to open the hood/bonnet. Strange!
How do you Right sided drivers deal with that?
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

bsimaz · « **Reply #49 on:** January 19, 2007, 09:15:28 »

I wonder why the '6' on the odometer looks like it was made with a different font than the rest of the numbers. It's skinnier than the rest of the numbers. But only the '6' ??

Bill Simaz
'66 230sl
Back on the Road

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Author Topic: POLL: Pagoda Idiosyncrasies (Read 64587 times)

n/a

al_lieffring

nick350

bsimaz

Bob G ✝︎

Douglas

Douglas

Douglas

Ricardo

Ben

bsimaz