rooney2006

What's ya'lls opinion on the interior chrome stuff you can get off of ebay? Chrome shifter surround, chrome gauge rings, chrome a/c rings, etc.

Reason I ask is I got white gauges and I tried to install them last night but I coudn't get my instrument cluster out. I followed the instructions on Mercedesshop.com and I just couldn't get it out, and I managed to scratch up two a/c vents in the process with the two dull knives I used to try to pry it out. Basically I was going to get the chrome a/c trim to cover it up.

Anybody that has any of it, let me know if it looks good.

Thanks.

battlecat714

tsk tsk tsk...buy the MB pulling hooks. won't scratch the leather or vents, they're a lot stronger than the knives with a better handling grip: #140 589 02 33 00. cheap too, around $15.

PDJ89C

Haha, I use my hands O_O. Can get pretty tough but it comes out . Chrome sounds nice, I'd like to get new wood trims first though. Mmmm some Burlwood, I-H8-Zebrano

Btw Battlecat, geeze your car *sig* looks so clean and nice

oneill_1

You asked for my opinion so here it is:
I am not a fan of any aftermarket chrome interior accessories...i think that it doesnt go well with our interior...however there is only one chrome accessory that i would get if i got the white gauge faces and that is the chrome gauge surrounds...other than that...me and chrome dont get along too well...someone on the board bought the chrome surrounds for the buttons on the center console and they looked too tacky and plus they didnt fit....luckily he was able to get his $$$ back...

And for the cluster removal: Since our cars arent from the century, things have sort of settled, the cluster especially...they are very stubborn to get out...my car has a few scratches from trying to pull it out with clothes hangers bent in a similar shape as the tool from MB...you can search and try your luck with some wire hangers or skip the frustration and buy two tools at around $15 a piece...

-OG

natural_person

Why not just buy the proper tools, especially when they're only $15? Especially if you have to take it out more than once, like me (4 times) : )
While it's out, it's a good time to replcae all the light bulbs, too.

Yes, I have the chrome instrument rings, shifter surround, and the vent covers. They work fine, especially in my car, where everything is black. I also installed a piece of burlwood over the shift gate itself, couldn't then find it locally, had to get it from Germany. Personally, in a car that has a very nice interior, in terms of quality and tactile feedback, the black plastic shift gate and surround looks totally out of place and, well, cheap.

Just don't buy those chrome switch surrounds on Ebay, which I did a review on about a week ago.

PDJ89C

Hey natural person, where did you get your wood trims from? Looks very nice

bjay51d

Wow I think those chrome accents looks great your car .....I think someones a chromophobe

ZedStyle

chromoPHILE, no??

bjay51d

I shouldve been more clear... I was referirng to oneill.

battlecat714

nice clean interior eric! oh and the both hooks are $15, and like you said, they're pretty useful. thanks for the comments pdj, oh and using your hands? ouch.

PDJ89C

Haha, yea. I just pull it out and it comes out no prob. We're talking about the instrument cluster right? I just pull on it from the bottom plastic part, and after a couple tries it slips out . lol

natural_person

The wood trim is "burlwood" and that's standard in the V8's the 400E and 500E. We get that instead of the "Zebrano".

A "chormophile"? Hmm, OK, I've been called worse....

Actually, I just installed chrome door handle covers on the weekend. Review forthcoming.

shadowgriffen

Eric last I checked that ebay seller said he had run out of 94-95 (with chrome strip) handles, now I'm VERY well aware that mine have no chrome strip nor is my car a 94-95 door handle advocate.

the reason I'm asking is because I'm really baffled as to what the difference would be, is it the chrome strip really that bulgy that it would interfere with the adhesive?

If you look closely at 86-93 door handles, they carry the indentation for the chrome strip...just curious.

EDIT: Do pre facelifts come with chrome strip door handles?

natural_person

ALl I know is that the early models do not have the chrome strip indented in the handles - just a black plastic handle. And, yes, I said indented - it does NOT stick out at all (the factory chrome strip, that is).

shadowgriffen

I thought so, thanks!