bcc8

Hello,

The tan center armrest on my 1989 300E is cracked and looks pretty bad.

Despite scouring the web I've been unable to find anyone who sells center armrests. Any suggestions?

Also I would be willing to recover the armrest myself or have it recovered if that is possible. Has anyone done this?


Thanks for the help!

Brian

bamberger_1

you can order the cloth or leather cover through your MB-dealer.

dlafever

I know of two places:

Hirsch automotive, Here

Performance Products, Here

I think World Upholstery may carry them too. The links above will get you to the leather cover, but MB-TEX is available too.

-Dennis

Jim's500E

The cover is pretty cheap too...or may I suggest getting a used one from a 1994 W124 that has the extra storage compartment...I beleive Potomac Auto Salvage out of Florida and Maryland has some in stock that are in great shape.

soldsep

hey jim do they have a website?

pkmaven

Try Potomac German. They have a few hundred in every interior color, but you can get Leatherique from Rusty (800-741-5252) and change the color to match your interior if you can source one in good condition. I bought my '95 armrest with the lift up top and storeage inside from them in grey-but mint. I changed the color to creme beige.P.

dlafever

Yes, try this: http://www.mbpartsonline.com/

-Dennis

89CE

How much did you get your armrest? I called Potomac and the gentleman quoted me $400?!?
Also, would Letherique do the trick in changing colors from darker shades to lighter ones like tan?

tkd_M119

Does the newer generation armrest feel as comfy/padded as the older one? I've been contemplating this mod but am reluctant to give up any comfort. BTW how much do they go for used? I priced out a new one and it was $$$!!

dlafever

The newer armrest with the compartment inside is not as soft as the previous model, but may still be soft enough for you.

Jim's500E

OOOuch...$400?...I don't even think they cost that much new OEM wholesale....whatever...search out another alternative, they are out there, in boneyards, nice and waiting, for much less. I must find out new price and will get back.

And, I don't think its smart to go from dark to light color leather, other way round is doable....seen that done before and it looked fine. Leatherique does make awesome leather stuff....but its not cheap,especially when you have to do alot of area to change.

Anybody else seen or do a dark to light leather color change? Scott from Cali did a tan to grey/black on a 500E that worked nicely...

tkd_M119

From what I recall that is nearly half price of new. About a year ago I called Fastlane and I remember them quoting me somewhere around $785 if memory servers me correclty. I remember the guy on the other side saying to me, "Are you sitting down?" before giving me the news.

Jim's500E

I certainly do not doubt that it was quoted at such a high price....but wholesale is ALOT lower...and believe it or not...some of the parts from MB have gone DOWN in price recently...especially for the older generation cars. But, true, some parts are more..go figure !

In one case, I needed to re-cover a driver's seat in OEM leather....maybe 18 months ago the bottom seat cushion cover in tan leather wholesaled at around $450... last month I got it for $300 and change.

If it is indeed cheaper for me to get...I'd be happy to hook up whomever wants one....maybe a group buy could be had too...we'll see.

pkmaven

When MB took the glove box for a passenger airbag they added storage by putting in a lift-top arm rest. It is not an mb tex covered piece of foam, but a lightly padded, all leather one, with a decent sized interior. Leatherique can change the color of any item to another color. I just bought the mini console with the slide back zebrano wood top which mounts under the armrest on the console, meeting the console wood. The only one they had was black! I will change it to cream beige with Leatherique no problem!