SL/R129: Inside rearview mirror
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Naples Florida
1996 SL 320
Inside rearview mirror
I have a 96 SL 320. After several re-gluings of my inside rearview mirror, I find that it can't be repaired any further. Has anyone got a better idea for a replacement than purchasing a new one from good old MB at 950.00?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal.
SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
$950 mirrors.
As you read the following, please keep in mind that I have a twisted sense of humor 
, but that I don't mean this a flame :p , just as a humorous comment:
$950???? OMG! For a mirror? ROFLMAO! When I was about 18, I had a very used 1966 VW Square Back. I got a new engine for $600. That was parts AND labor.
Isn't the remote unlock key reciever in the mirror? That's probably why it costs so much.
Now, I love my R129, and to make it work right, I will spend my last penny.
But, if you don't care about the key remote -- Go to Pep Boys, buy a mirror for $10, and glue it on.
But if you do . . . I hope they revoke your membership to this board.
Good luck.
, but that I don't mean this a flame :p , just as a humorous comment:$950???? OMG! For a mirror? ROFLMAO! When I was about 18, I had a very used 1966 VW Square Back. I got a new engine for $600. That was parts AND labor.
Isn't the remote unlock key reciever in the mirror? That's probably why it costs so much.
Now, I love my R129, and to make it work right, I will spend my last penny.
But, if you don't care about the key remote -- Go to Pep Boys, buy a mirror for $10, and glue it on.
But if you do . . . I hope they revoke your membership to this board.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Naples Florida
1996 SL 320
Originally Posted by mebeJOE
As you read the following, please keep in mind that I have a twisted sense of humor , but that I don't mean this a flame :p , just as a humorous comment:
$950???? OMG! For a mirror? ROFLMAO! When I was about 18, I had a very used 1966 VW Square Back. I got a new engine for $600. That was parts AND labor.
Isn't the remote unlock key reciever in the mirror? That's probably why it costs so much.
Now, I love my R129, and to make it work right, I will spend my last penny.
But, if you don't care about the key remote -- Go to Pep Boys, buy a mirror for $10, and glue it on.
But if you do . . . I hope they revoke your membership to this board.
Good luck.
, but that I don't mean this a flame :p , just as a humorous comment:$950???? OMG! For a mirror? ROFLMAO! When I was about 18, I had a very used 1966 VW Square Back. I got a new engine for $600. That was parts AND labor.
Isn't the remote unlock key reciever in the mirror? That's probably why it costs so much.
Now, I love my R129, and to make it work right, I will spend my last penny.
But, if you don't care about the key remote -- Go to Pep Boys, buy a mirror for $10, and glue it on.
But if you do . . . I hope they revoke your membership to this board.
Good luck.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,415
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some
Originally Posted by rellik
what happened to the original mirror?
my family is stupid, they adjust it with their hands, not the motor, so mine is all loose now...
$950 is what the dealer quoted you for the piece? damn...
my family is stupid, they adjust it with their hands, not the motor, so mine is all loose now...
$950 is what the dealer quoted you for the piece? damn...
my machanic says that most "people" just replace it with a diffrent one w/o the motor, isnt there a 129 year with a Manuell merrior?
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Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
1998 E320, 1994 320 SL,2000 Ford F 150.1997 Gixxer 1100
I have inside rearview mirror problems too. When the hydraulics were being rebuilt the mechanic broke the trim around the mirror and broke both dome lights. Now my mirror has no trim and no dome lights. I am currently in the market for whichever part I can find. I also noticed the $400 one on ebay, but it's a 6 pin connector and wont fit mine. Can anyone help. The re-cycle people in my neck of the woods laugh when I enquire about parts for an R129.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX USA
2006 SL500
The inside rear view mirror on my 1997 SL500 is manual to the best of my knowledge. I have never even heard of a power inside rear view mirror. You might check into that option.
By the way, if mine is supposed to be power and I have just never realized it, somene PLEASE tell me and tell me how to work it.
By the way, if mine is supposed to be power and I have just never realized it, somene PLEASE tell me and tell me how to work it.
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
1998 E320, 1994 320 SL,2000 Ford F 150.1997 Gixxer 1100
The power rearview works with the same knob/ switch which controls your outside door mirrors. When its pointing to the console, thats the position for the rearview mirror. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Originally Posted by kerrypacker
The power rear view works with the same knob/ switch which controls your outside door mirrors. When its pointing to the console, thats the position for the rearview mirror.
I read somewhere that the tendancy of drivers was to just grab the rear view mirror to adjust anyway.
I suppose the "memory" aspect of the motorized adjustment was the intent of the original feature.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX USA
2006 SL500
Aha, okay so I don't have it on mine.
cudaus1, you may want to try and find out how much a non power mirror would be from 1997+. Surely, they would be less expensive and they should look the same.
cudaus1, you may want to try and find out how much a non power mirror would be from 1997+. Surely, they would be less expensive and they should look the same.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 2
some
Originally Posted by sl500_dallas
Aha, okay so I don't have it on mine.
cudaus1, you may want to try and find out how much a non power mirror would be from 1997+. Surely, they would be less expensive and they should look the same.
cudaus1, you may want to try and find out how much a non power mirror would be from 1997+. Surely, they would be less expensive and they should look the same.
yea that is what my machanic recomemded if mine ever broke
Mark
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 301
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From: So. Cal.
SL500 2001 Formula 1 Edition;
Wow, as much as I love German engineering, sometimes they go overboard, no? A remote for the review mirror. Well, my hand is about 8 inches away from the mirror when on the steering wheel. And the remote for the mirror is way down there on the console? I'm surprised they didn't put a remote steering wheel adjustment down there too.
Well, I'm glad they took that feature off my model. But I'd love to have the extra 15 horsepower they took away. That would be worth $900.
Well, I'm glad they took that feature off my model. But I'd love to have the extra 15 horsepower they took away. That would be worth $900.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 2
some
Originally Posted by agentMurdoc
jeez I would love to have the power rear view mirror instead of the manuel.
If I wasn't sooo cheap I would do the mod. Why dont you peoples give me your power mirror stuff when you swap it out
:p
If I wasn't sooo cheap I would do the mod. Why dont you peoples give me your power mirror stuff when you swap it out
:p
ya the auto mirror is awsome, its very Bond ish.
mark
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 9
From: Covington, WA
'96 SL600, '05 S55 AMG, '06 C230
Yup... Mercedes phased out the Remote-Controlled Rear View Mirror in 1996. My SL is a testament to yet another fading technological leap of German engineering. To be frank, I also own a '94 SL 500 with the Remote Mirror, and I'm ALWAYS adjusting the dumb thing by hand.
Also... RedMongoosE... if a remote mirror "creaps out the girls" in your neck of the woods, I wanna party with you dude! Must be a wild time… drive up and down the boulevard adjusting the mirror. WOW!
Also... RedMongoosE... if a remote mirror "creaps out the girls" in your neck of the woods, I wanna party with you dude! Must be a wild time… drive up and down the boulevard adjusting the mirror. WOW!
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 5
From: Nelson NZ
17 E220d all-terrrain, 92 SL500, 16 C250D Wagon, 16 A200 (wife)
Mirror repair
Guys, some (substitute derogatory name for a person) had damaged my electric inside mirror too. I managed to pull it apart, and found the bit that gets damaged can be glued Ok with super glue, with no reduction in function. It was a case of either replace the part or try it, and my repair has worked fine for ages. Of course need to make sure you dont glue the mechansim, but from memory the rotation happens up in a bit different area from where it breaks, and I guess the same thing generally breaks. (Ah just remembered, its the left / righ HD positioning that you lose by gluing, and well its not that easy to move the wheel, so...)
The main trick is prising the unit out, its held in by a pretty firm spring and need a wedge in the right place without damaging any trim.
Sad to hear they took it out, tis a great safety feature, with the multi seat positions, always have the mirror in the right place. Only thing they should have done was put a 'hands off' warning on it. (After I found MY wife had also tried adjusting by hand, she was banned)
The main trick is prising the unit out, its held in by a pretty firm spring and need a wedge in the right place without damaging any trim.
Sad to hear they took it out, tis a great safety feature, with the multi seat positions, always have the mirror in the right place. Only thing they should have done was put a 'hands off' warning on it. (After I found MY wife had also tried adjusting by hand, she was banned)
Last edited by grege; Sep 13, 2005 at 09:15 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 265
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From: Manchester, UK
500 SL R129, Blue - 1991. Mini Cooper S, Works Kit Silver - 2007. Mitsubishi FTO, Silver - 1996.
I found my 6 year old hanging off it once and I was furious... I felt so guilty I hugged him for a week afterwards... I mean it is only a bit of plastic at the end of the day isn't it....
Mine has some play in it now, though the motor still moves it. Is it normal? I can't remember what it was like before it got trashed....
Mine has some play in it now, though the motor still moves it. Is it normal? I can't remember what it was like before it got trashed....
