Dash Crack Repair
 

My 85 201 pre facelift is blue. The dash has several cracks. The previous owner put a black cap on it. I have since removed the dash. With the dash out of the car I considered having Just Dashes restore it, but I have recently seen on Wheeler Dealers a repair process. I have secured a Polyvance part number 2050-9 Padded Dash Filler that I am considering using to try to make the repair myself. Does anyone have experience with repairing a cracked dash?

Unfortunately, you have a pre-90 Dash that will crack no matter how well you care for it or repair it. It will crack again after repair. Having the same I just replaced mine with a post '90 dash. They should be available at Junk Yards. By one before they disappear. Not sure of this is an option where you are. When I bought mine it was under $100 and it comes with all the vent plastic as well if you need them.

My car was garaged all its life but used daily. Dash cracked after 20+ years. I have seen many (I mean dozens and dozens, perhaps hundreds) post '90 dashes at the JY and have yet to find a cracked one. And most of these cars are decrepit left in the sun throughout their life span. Still not a cracked one witnessed.

Post '90 dashes are made of a modern and different , material that never crack it seems.

Oh what a hassle. Will the later model bolt up or will I have issues with alignment? Just Dashes will restore my original but they are way to expensive for me.

Also, you were kind enough to point me in the direction for replacement headlights. The sad news is that no one has them, and there is no ETA for these lights. I've not looked on ebay yet, but that's my next place to look.

Thanks, you sure seem to be on top of all things 190E!

The old and new dashes are identical, no fitment issues. The later ones are black the early ones are what is called Brazilian coffee I believe, super dark brown, almost black.
I also replaced my center console with the later model one because the zebrano wood for the later ones were still available and they are indeed black. I left the knee bolster alone and I really can not tell the difference in the color. I prefer the later center console/wood look to the older ones. So if you decide to go in that direction, I would also acquire a center console in case you want to replace it in the future.

I should add that since you have the dash out you should make sure your flap actuator is operational. The flat one that is only accessible when the dash is out. If you can find a replacement or repair the old one it is highly advised. I believe mine bus busted when I did the dash work and I replaced it.

Thanks again for the advice. But, what is the flap actuator?

Flap actuators are vacuum operated gizmo's that are controlling your HVAC flaps. There are 4 of them up front. The "all black" ones in the picture are on top under the dash. Can not be replaced with the dash in. So you should try to operate them with a hand held mightyvac type hand pump. If they are non operational, you will need to replace them (impossible to find them now, other than in Junk Yards) or repair them. There is at least one on-line place that sell the rubber diaphragms in them. Here is the summary photo. Ignore the pricing, and availability, that was 6 years ago. The pink ones are at the bottom of center console, if you take that out check them as well but the dash is a once in a lifetime removal, so make sure the black ones are operational.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...d64cff8bf0.jpg