Luxuries

[Merc]

Hi

Now I know this might seem daft,but is there anyone who could fit the following items to a 500SE 89',eg-Air-Con,heated front seats,(I do miss them,as my Saab previously had them),suspension level (to switch from soft/hard,eg-hydropnumatic), the supplementary heater,and the window blind switch.
Knowing its quite an old model,I may not be able to get these fitted to the car now,I'm asking because I'm not able to buy one which has all that fitted right now due to other financial strains,so I thought that doing it "bit by bit",would be better than nothing.I would really appreciate any information regarding this,as I do plan to keep the car for quite a while,thanks.

regards

 

[David S]

Sounds like you have your work cut-out!

If I was you, I would try and find a 560SEL, this model should have all the gadgets you are looking for, and some. Plus, by the time you have fitted everything you quoted, you would end up spending the cost of good 560SEL.

For starters I know of two good air-con specialists.

Reader-Air in Woking (www.readerair.co.uk)
Stiff Nipples (what a name I know), ad in Exchange and Mart

Good luck.

David
E280 W124

 

[Merc]

Hi David

I tried that site for air-con, looks not bad,but the problem is its in surrey!as for stiff nipples (he,he) I couldn't find it in Exchange & Mart,I put a search in but nothing came back.
I know what you mean about going for a 560,I'll have a look at the 560 range,my god I seem to be looking at bigger and bigger engines,and thought mine was thirsty what's a 560 gonna be like,maybe 10/12 to the gal!!'mmmmm',I dont know if I want any more cc's (well I would if "juice" was cheaper alot cheaper),but thanks for that anyway, as I say I will check out the 560 but I dont know.

Regards

 

[David S]

I have a business card for Stiff Nipples, I will dig it out and post their number. I used them to recharge my air-con about 10months ago. (They offer a mobile service, so may be able to come to you).

David

 

[Merc]

Hi David

That'd be really helpfull,thanks.

Regards

 

[Matt Crooke]

Merc.

Id have to agree with David on this one, it is going to cost you mega bucks to fit all these items, if you can get them to fit at all. Also dont forget that if you do have aircon fitted to your car, you will lose power and a few MPG when you switch it on

 

[David S]

PS: In Mecedes Enthusiast two (or so) editions back, they had a review of the 300SE and 560SEL (some lucky Kiwi who owned both). He said he wouldn't have bought the 560SEL if it had the hydropnumatic suspension. His reasoning was the added potential problems of the system, didn't outweigh the benefits. One to think about!

David

 

[Merc]

Hi David/Matt

So you both reckon on just trying to go for the 560,yea, I know that when you put the air-con on it does drain the fuel somewhat.
But the Kiwi doesn't rate the 560,because of the suspension setup,in that case can you still get a 560 without it,but with all the rest!.K'know I dont know if I'm being daft or not, wanting all these things back again but like I said previous I just like my little luxuries,thats all.And the saying goes "you dont what youv'e got till' it's gone!!",well I guess thats me.

Regards

 

[dave elcome]

Merc.

Have a look in your wallet at all those nice new crisp bank notes, if your dreams come true it will be the last time there are so many in there!!!!!!!!!

 

[Merc]

Hi Dave

yep,your right,but as I said I like my comforts and as my saying in the last letter,well!I do miss them.but I have been having a look at the 560 both the SEC/SEL and like David said they come with all the "mods",well that'll do me just fine,I not sure if I prefer the saloon or coupe I'd have to have a hard look at them both,but I think I could be trading/selling mine for something soon.
And I dont have many new bank notes left now,but I think I can live with that.

regards

 

[mhannaford]

Hi, Merc
I'm surprised that your55 doesn't have some of those
things already.
My old 500SE ('83) has A/C and supplementary heater
fitted. It has Velour seats (!?) which means you certainly
don't need a heater in them and I believe that the
hydropneumatic suspension just had a hard setting for
bad roads (like you find in Africa)! What are you going to
get up to that you need a blind?
I know these are optional extras but it seems like most cars had the stuff fitted from new.Don't try and get them
retro fitted as it's quite possible that wiring harnesses etc are different and are put in at time of manufacture.
You shouldn't have to break the bank to change cars.
You should have change out of 2K for a late 80's/early
90's model. You could always go for an early 80's model
and get it for under a grand!

Best Regards
Mark Hannaford

 

[Merc]

Hi Mark

What do mean my "55",I haven't heard that terminology before?
Yep,mine's an 89' 500se,with leather,full electrics,but no air-con,no sup-heater,no heated seats,I still have the original radio (Pioneer) and it works fine,but air-con wise,well all I have on the heater panel is the switch for the bottom door lights,hazards,rear demister,and in between the heater knobs, the recycled air switch.
So (as I thought) I had a kind of "top of the range" model,it isn't!,well there you have it,you have a cloth interior and all the "mod cons",and your's is an older model!.
I know what your saying about the wiring,I hadn't thought of that earlier.But I think I'll see what's out there,but most of not all models like the 560's are "down south", I'm in Glasgow,so I'll see how i get on.

regards

 

[Matt Crooke]

im surprised that your car hasnt got all these things anyway to be honest, however have a think, the amount of hot weather we get in this country, i would be inclined to wait and get a car with aircon already fitted instead of clearing your bank account to get it fitted yourself.

 

[mhannaford]

Merc
I don't know where that 55 came from it was supposed
to read SE. Must be finger trouble!
Just for your info I'll keep my eyes open and if
something comes up I'll let you know.
Incidentally, my car cost me all of £850!
Two previous owners,taxed and tested until October
only 90,000 miles and FMBSH. Not bad,eh?

Best Regards
Mark

 

[dave elcome]

How long do you keep your cars Merc? is it worth the expense??

 

[Merc]

Hi Dave

Yea!,I do plan to keep it for a while (as in a few years),if I can get these things done,or sell/tradin for either 450/500/560 sec/sel that has "everything" on it.
Because quite frankly (as a few others had said this also),I'm really surprised that a car like that doesn't came with that kind of "stuff" as standard.I think thats a disgrace on Merc!!,they just shouldn't be an "optional extra" for that kind of car
I mean these were not cheap when new as you know,so what were they thinking off,damm cheapskates!!,there thats my tuppence worth in!!

ps.And as Andy said in a letter ages ago,"leather who needs it!,it burns your bum in the summer' and freezes it in winter",yep! thats true thats why I miss the heated seats.And anyway you can allways put a towel down first,that way you wont "burn your bum" (he,he)

Regards

 

[dave elcome]

Merc.

You could always try some of the breakers that have been mentioned on here in the past, you might srtike lucky.

 

[Merc]

Dave

I know that you mean,but most/all the cars are "down south",I like to see what I'm buying incase,whoever it is sends the wrong thing.
I know probably wont happen with the merc,but it happened a while ago with the bike,so I wary waiting for "stuff" through the post,but if I have to do it well!!

regards

 

[Matt Crooke]

Merc

dont forget also, adding all these extra's probably wont bump the price up much when it comes to selling it, as a would imagine a buyer would have wanted these things as standard fit, rather than extras that have been added later. As Dave Elcome mentioned in a previous post, he could have added a turbo to his other Diesel merc, however, come time to sell it, all a buyer would see is a standard merc with a bolt on turbo, and i doubt you would get the price of a normal turbo diesel merc, had it been fitted in the factory. the same applies to the bits you want to add i'd imagine. Sorry to put a dampner on it, but id hate to see you plough thousands into the motor, and not be able to get it back at a later date.

 

[dave elcome]

Matt.

couldn't agree more.