Facelift - W202 - Interior ?Can it be done ?

[pmclough]

Hi,
Can anyone advise if I can do the following:

1) Take out the centre console, Gear bOX surround ( where the electric window switches go), Heater control unit a surround and replace with a post 1996 one ? New Surround, swithces and heater control unit! Can this be done.

If Not does anyone know where I can get a carbon kit or wood effect kit to gov over the dull plastic ?

My Merc is a 1994 W202 C Class 250 Diesel Manual and the console onwards needs a revamp!! It looks outdated compared to the rest of the car!, I have bought it to use up and down the motorway.Its my 4th Merc but oldest so far that I have bought!!

Also Can any one advise if the Light switch housing contol on the drivers side is suppose to illuminate ? It has done on all my others but they were 1999 onwards ( 2 X E Class and a CLK). Theres no illumination on it whatsover except when you pull up the switch to put fog lights on and the orange light illuminates in the centre of the switch.

Also the dash bulbs have blown on one side. Does anyone know how to replace ?

Does anyone else have a C250 Diesel Manual ? What are you averaging per gallon/litre ? Im doing approx 9 Miles per Litre , mainly Mway Miles( 1000 miles per week).


Cheers

 

[jberks]

Hi,
from memory, there is no difference between the dash layout on yours and a pre 98 one . there were some minor changes post 98/99 (facelift, deeper airdam etc). The switch design changed very slightly, so I am unsure whether they changed the panels too.

I presume you have the dull black plastic dash per the classic and esprit models. I can't see any reason why a wood or carbon dash panel wouldn't be entirely interchangeable with yours, though you would have to check you had the same switches as the donor car may have more extras and you don't want holes where the switches were. I would try a merc breaker and get a genuine set of panels, the stick on panels don't do it justice (IMHO). You just want an sport or elegance donor.

No, The light switch doesn't illuminate.

Finally, on the dash bulbs, disconnect the battery (avoids upsetting the airbag system) and the binnacle should slide out (no clips or screws involved). It will be tight so you may need the dash pullers which you can get cheaply enough from the dealer, or if you buy the bulbs from them, they may well just pull it out for you as a 2 min goodwill job.

 

[pmclough]

Your a good'un!!! Thanks for your help!
Yep, the interior is the dull black layout, old style switches, heating contol and fascia. I know the buttons, heating controls and hazard warning light on the newer models ( well the E class and CLK that I had) were more modern and I think slightly larger than what I have now so I will have to replace those I guess as well inorder to fit the new fascia.

Thanks again

Hi,
from memory, there is no difference between the dash layout on yours and a pre 98 one . there were some minor changes post 98/99 (facelift, deeper airdam etc). The switch design changed very slightly, so I am unsure whether they changed the panels too.

I presume you have the dull black plastic dash per the classic and esprit models. I can't see any reason why a wood or carbon dash panel wouldn't be entirely interchangeable with yours, though you would have to check you had the same switches as the donor car may have more extras and you don't want holes where the switches were. I would try a merc breaker and get a genuine set of panels, the stick on panels don't do it justice (IMHO). You just want an sport or elegance donor.

No, The light switch doesn't illuminate.

Finally, on the dash bulbs, disconnect the battery (avoids upsetting the airbag system) and the binnacle should slide out (no clips or screws involved). It will be tight so you may need the dash pullers which you can get cheaply enough from the dealer, or if you buy the bulbs from them, they may well just pull it out for you as a 2 min goodwill job.

 

[jberks]

You're right, the E and CLK were different but I think you'll find a pre 99 C to be rougly the same as yours, right down to the heater controls. I had a 95 elegance and a mate had a 94 Esprit - I seem to remember that aside from the wood in mine,and the fact he had windey windows, the interiors were basically the same. Have a look at
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9855&item=4539090710&rd=1

 

[pmclough]

Have a look - see the difference

Hi,
Thanks for your message. The later models have different buttons ( the warning indicator is a Triangle) and therefore the gascia is different. Also the heater mechanism is more modern, different buttons. This is what Im after. The car in the pic is exaclty the same as mine.

Have a look at this one, look at the centre console and heating conmtrols. Thats what Im after
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9855&item=4539152194&rd=1

You're right, the E and CLK were different but I think you'll find a pre 99 C to be rougly the same as yours, right down to the heater controls. I had a 95 elegance and a mate had a 94 Esprit - I seem to remember that aside from the wood in mine,and the fact he had windey windows, the interiors were basically the same. Have a look at
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9855&item=4539090710&rd=1

 

[pascal]

Have a look here: From £90 to £190. Click on each different kit to get more details.

http://www.dcp-shop.co.uk/buy-car-accessories/default.php?cPath=722_802_804

 

[jberks]

Ah, I assumed you just wanted to replace the plastic trim for wood/cabon.
If you want to update the whole dash including switchgear thats a different matter. It could be a bit of a challenge as doubtless there were changes under the skin possibly including the wiring and mountings so it may not be a direct swap.

The facelift models also had aircon and an axuiliary heater which your's wont have, so some switches will be different.