Newbie Caution about eBay "107" Parts

[Strife]

I did some homework, and haven't been burned on this (yet), but I thought that I would mention something I'm seeing more and more on eBay: the assumption (or dishonest misrepresentation) on eBay that every 107 part fits every 107 ever made. Sometimes this may be innocently done for search capabilities -you've seen this: -450sl 380sl 560sl- but.... let's forget about the engines, anyone with any common sense should know that there were many engines on these cars. But the cars all look the same, right? Here are some examples that I know: There are certainly other differences. When in doubt, consult an expert. Also, keep in mind that some sellers don't really know exactly what car their parts are from.

Seats: 560 seats are different than previous models.

Hood: earlier hoods won't fit 560's; they may or not be made of aluminum. The difference is subtle. (AFAIK all 560 hoods are aluminum).

Fenders: Different on a 560. Subtle difference.

Significant differences on the front end lower grille on a 560 and earlier models.

U/L radiator hoses: 560's are different (and the lower is very expensive).

Doors: Different on a 560. Subtle. They won't even actually fit.

Door gaskets: Earlier (380 and earlier) gaskets are available from aftermarket parties. the 560's gasket is different and not interchangeable. It also may not be available aftermarket.

Door handles: Different on a 560. Not so subtle but who looks?

Bumpers: 560sl bumpers wind up an inch shorter than earlier US bumpers. I don't know why, but you would think that this would affect the length of the rubber parts on the sides. (A tip on detecting a "bogus" 560sl; you can't see pavement between the bumper and the black plastic finishing piece mounted to the body, running the length of the bumper, on a 560sl).

Alternators: Many fit, but earlier alternators (even ones from 560's) have plug-in connectors; very late 560sl's may use screw terminals. This is not a big deal but will require some rewiring. Mounting systems vary greatly.

P/S Pumps: It's mentioned in the manual to note and match the working pressure of the pump and the replacement. Do not interchange, even if they "look" identical!

Fans and clutches: Fans are definitely different on a 560; the clutches may also be different.

A/C compressor: 560's used Nippondenso's, with different mounting, and so on.

Instrument clusters and speedometers: Very different from year to year and model-to-model but may look the same at first glance. Very early SL's had unique one-piece front plastic instrument cluster construction; mid-SL's had three piece plastic clusters - a front, a back, and a filler strip underneath, to make the plastic common in the MB line; Late (560 and possible late 380's) had one that looks the same as the mid-SL but there are 6 pods per side for idiot lights, not four. The front plastic part mounts differently and is not interchangeable. Sometime in the 80's, the speedometers went fron cable-operated to electronic. The oil pressure gauge became electronic. You might ask a seller if there is a pipe fitting on the back of the gauge; if there is, it's mechanical.

A freebie tip; the cluster itself on "mid" SL's was common amongst many MB's of the late 70's and early 80's; these can be had for far less than SL clusters. The "multifunction" gauge is as far as I can tell (common internal VDO numbers) common between them (except as the "economy" part of the multifunction gauge was introduced and the previously-mentioned electronic/mechanical oil pressure gauge). Be aware that replacement of individual components of the multifunction gauge (like the fuel and temp parts) is extremely difficult. As far as I can tell all mid and 560sl clock mechanisms are the same.

Tachometers (electronic tach's, anyway) have different redlines; the electrical parts SEEM to be similar and are adjustable with a trimpot.

Chrome caps behind the doors for the top: Different post-80ish.

Steering wheel: obviously different because of the airbag. So is the steering column.

Steering box: Be careful here. Several different versions throughout the life of the car. Obviously, proper, recommended replacement is a safety requirement.

Tie rods: 560's are different, and so are the other related parts.

Upper/Lower control arms: 560 uppers are definitely different.

Console wood: Very different because of the climate control between early/mid 80's 380's and 560's.

The climate control pushbutton panel is different on a 560 and late 380sl's from earlier 380sl's; it is wired differently internally, although they may look identical. I have no idea what will happen if you put one control in for another.

560 brakes, bearings, brake pads in the front are very different than earlier models.

Wheels: earlier wheels will NOT fit a 560 due to brake rotor clearance (although this is not a common interchange, everyone wants the 15" wheels); however, "new look" 107 wheels do apparently fit earlier 107 cars. Caution on the "New look" wheels; MB made many of these with different offsets. Wheels with wrong offsets may actually bolt on but will not clear or will stick out, and potentially be unsafe.

Be aware that very late 380sl's may use some 560sl parts. I haven't seen this but I have read that very late 380sl's had airbags and ABS as options.

Make NO assumptions on the body parts interchangeability between an SLC and an SL.

Don't expect to get any kind of technical advice from eBay parts sellers!!!

I welcome amplifications, corrections, or additions to this.

[Walrus]

Thanks for the reference... Best to try and get the VIN from the donor car, if possible, before purchase... Then you can determine suitability, I think.

[Benzmeister]

only on ther 107, but my C280, I bought a STAR grille, and a few chrome trim parts on eBay and the quality was Ok for the grille, whidh was a cut down grille, as you could see the marks left by a dremel or whatever they used, but it fit and looks good. The chrome parts were very high quality, but the particular seller, I both them from stopped selling on ebay. I wrote him and he said some the the buyers were expecting platinium instead of chrome. His service was great w days from NY and he charged what the carrier charged. It is illegal in federal law to charge a buyer more then the actually shipping charges, as that is considered profit, CFR49, Transportation, but of course there is a catch 22 to most things, adding handling can suffice, but a lot of thes sellers, just show shipping, and I know, this business and most of them mark up there rates at least 50%.I bought headlight trim taillight trim and door handle cups from this seller over 18 months ago and they have all stayed in place and are as bright as the day I bought them.

Avoid the sellers that do not state where they are located, I find most, especially one are mostly in Hong Kong and sell JUNK, to us "trusting Americans?"

[Roncallo]

This is an excellent post. I recently saw a set of upper ball joints for all 107's including the 560SL. I could have only wished it were true. On the 560 the whole control arm needs to be replaced at about $350.00 per side.

Another part that is quesionably compatible is the trunk lid and deck light. These were moved further aft from 1988. An 87 light can eiasily be installed on an 88 but holes will have to be filled. An 88 light will fit an 87 with some undesirable hacking on the interior of the lid and also filling unused holes. These types of interchangability problems are common among all cars makes and manuals that Auto Wreckers use generally point out these differences that may require slight modification.

John Roncallo

[Benzmeister]

Originally Posted by Strife

I did some homework, and haven't been burned on this (yet), but I thought that I would mention something I'm seeing more and more on eBay: the assumption (or dishonest misrepresentation) on eBay that every 107 part fits every 107 ever made. Sometimes this may be innocently done for search capabilities -you've seen this: -450sl 380sl 560sl- but.... let's forget about the engines, anyone with any common sense should know that there were many engines on these cars. But the cars all look the same, right? Here are some examples that I know: There are certainly other differences. When in doubt, consult an expert. Also, keep in mind that some sellers don't really know exactly what car their parts are from.

Seats: 560 seats are different than previous models.

Hood: earlier hoods won't fit 560's; they may or not be made of aluminum. The difference is subtle. (AFAIK all 560 hoods are aluminum).

Fenders: Different on a 560. Subtle difference.

Significant differences on the front end lower grille on a 560 and earlier models.

U/L radiator hoses: 560's are different (and the lower is very expensive).

Doors: Different on a 560. Subtle. They won't even actually fit.

Door gaskets: Earlier (380 and earlier) gaskets are available from aftermarket parties. the 560's gasket is different and not interchangeable. It also may not be available aftermarket.

Door handles: Different on a 560. Not so subtle but who looks?

Bumpers: 560sl bumpers wind up an inch shorter than earlier US bumpers. I don't know why, but you would think that this would affect the length of the rubber parts on the sides. (A tip on detecting a "bogus" 560sl; you can't see pavement between the bumper and the black plastic finishing piece mounted to the body, running the length of the bumper, on a 560sl).

Alternators: Many fit, but earlier alternators (even ones from 560's) have plug-in connectors; very late 560sl's may use screw terminals. This is not a big deal but will require some rewiring. Mounting systems vary greatly.

P/S Pumps: It's mentioned in the manual to note and match the working pressure of the pump and the replacement. Do not interchange, even if they "look" identical!

Fans and clutches: Fans are definitely different on a 560; the clutches may also be different.

A/C compressor: 560's used Nippondenso's, with different mounting, and so on.

Instrument clusters and speedometers: Very different from year to year and model-to-model but may look the same at first glance. Very early SL's had unique one-piece front plastic instrument cluster construction; mid-SL's had three piece plastic clusters - a front, a back, and a filler strip underneath, to make the plastic common in the MB line; Late (560 and possible late 380's) had one that looks the same as the mid-SL but there are 6 pods per side for idiot lights, not four. The front plastic part mounts differently and is not interchangeable. Sometime in the 80's, the speedometers went fron cable-operated to electronic. The oil pressure gauge became electronic. You might ask a seller if there is a pipe fitting on the back of the gauge; if there is, it's mechanical.

A freebie tip; the cluster itself on "mid" SL's was common amongst many MB's of the late 70's and early 80's; these can be had for far less than SL clusters. The "multifunction" gauge is as far as I can tell (common internal VDO numbers) common between them (except as the "economy" part of the multifunction gauge was introduced and the previously-mentioned electronic/mechanical oil pressure gauge). Be aware that replacement of individual components of the multifunction gauge (like the fuel and temp parts) is extremely difficult. As far as I can tell all mid and 560sl clock mechanisms are the same.

Tachometers (electronic tach's, anyway) have different redlines; the electrical parts SEEM to be similar and are adjustable with a trimpot.

Chrome caps behind the doors for the top: Different post-80ish.

Steering wheel: obviously different because of the airbag. So is the steering column.

Steering box: Be careful here. Several different versions throughout the life of the car. Obviously, proper, recommended replacement is a safety requirement.

Tie rods: 560's are different, and so are the other related parts.

Upper/Lower control arms: 560 uppers are definitely different.

Console wood: Very different because of the climate control between early/mid 80's 380's and 560's.

The climate control pushbutton panel is different on a 560 and late 380sl's from earlier 380sl's; it is wired differently internally, although they may look identical. I have no idea what will happen if you put one control in for another.

560 brakes, bearings, brake pads in the front are very different than earlier models.

Wheels: earlier wheels will NOT fit a 560 due to brake rotor clearance (although this is not a common interchange, everyone wants the 15" wheels); however, "new look" 107 wheels do apparently fit earlier 107 cars. Caution on the "New look" wheels; MB made many of these with different offsets. Wheels with wrong offsets may actually bolt on but will not clear or will stick out, and potentially be unsafe.

Be aware that very late 380sl's may use some 560sl parts. I haven't seen this but I have read that very late 380sl's had airbags and ABS as options.

Make NO assumptions on the body parts interchangeability between an SLC and an SL.

Don't expect to get any kind of technical advice from eBay parts sellers!!!

I welcome amplifications, corrections, or additions to this.

of the non ebay sellers, may send a wrong part for the W107. I have a 79 450SLC and there are two or three wood trim pieces that surround the gear shift, according to what options you might have, ie heated seats, I went to a site that sells wood kits and the diagram of the pieces only showed the console piece with the seat heater cut out and no hazard warming cutout. But as you said not all 107's are the same.

Even the wiring diagram from the shop manual for have small difference between 79 and 80. so you got to be careful and know what your buying, As I said I stay with Fast Lane for most of my parts, Phil is the best and he is an honest man. I owe him, as he directed me to several parts I thought were the correct but were not for my car, he dug out the right part numbers sent me the correct parts.