Red Coil

[Ricardo]

Ok so we've all heard about the Bosch "red" coil as being a better coil to use than the standard and from what Joe posted a couple of weeks ago I got these Bosch numbers 0221-102-071((.5 ohm) or 011(1.8 ohm).
First off my MB dealer can't reference these numbers and gave me a Bosch CD which was supposed to refernce the numbers but in fact turned out to be a diagnostic CD for new Benz's with an on board CD player ( dunno how that works). So I wondered if anyone had MB numbers for these coils. Secondly are there reasons to not use these coils with a Crane XR700 electronic ignition or do they need to have ballast resistors used again. (mine have been bypassed when the Crane system was installed). Thoughts?
Richard V

[George Davis]

Ricardo, most of the parts suppliers can probably get the red coil and proper ballast resistor.  Since you're in Canada, I'd suggest the Benz Barn (Dan Caron).  He is listed in the Links section of this site if you want to e-mail him, or his phone number (at least from the US) is 1-877-661-6061.

I can't say anything about the Crane system, but read the directions carefully and go with what they recommend.  I'd guess they have different wiring arrrangements for coils with external ballast (such as our cars) or internal ballast.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[graphic66]

My red coil has on the box flap from Mercedes the description as: 1 Stueck A 000 158 49 03, It worked real good. The ballast resistor is a Beru part and on the box it says 0110.520.001.00.01. I purchased them from Ray Paul at 845-226-7987. The car starts much better now.

[Bob G]

This sounds like you are referrencing the early coils from the 250SL to the arly 280SL to 1968. My orginal coil was red and when I ordered a new coil from Caliber I got the electronic Ignition coil. after pulling the coil out and going to see Tom I found out my coil was a 250SL coil. I donot know for sure if this is correct, but it works fine.
Bob Geco
1968 280SL

[Naj ✝︎]

I have the same Merc part # for the coil as below : 000 158 4903.
The Merc # for the 1.8 ohm ballast resistor is 000 158 1745(Bosch 0 227 901 014 and Beru W2 18-2)
naj

naj
hobel 65 230SL
jalopyno 68 280SL

[Ricardo]

Thanks Naj
This is indeed a good MB number for the red coil, which according to my parts guy at MB was used on many models going back to the 100 series chassis and includes the 250SL( no mention of the 230 or 280 though). Bad news is the list price of $85 Cdn. ($60US) ouch. For that price I should be able to get the same color as my car or chromed at least.
Richard V

[Naj ✝︎]

Ricardo,
You might even get a gold plated one BUT will it perform?
I did try a used red coil but that was a mistake!
Try a Bosch dealer for the red coil. Bosch part #  0 221 119 030.
UK price was around £30.00.Somebody already mentioned this:the coil is not painted red any longer. They are alli housing with a red label also saying a 1.8ohm resistor should be used.
naj


naj
hobel 65 230SL
jalopyno 68 280SL

[Ricardo]

Naj
Yeah gold plated and comes with a built-in air freshner. Sounds like the price is in line with your experience. MB's pricing is strange at times; I recently wanted glow plugs for my 300tdt, dealer was out of stock, parts man said "there is a discount jobber who deals Bosch down the street". Found out after that they were double the dealer list price before the discount they always give me. I don't assume the dealer will always be more expensive anymore.
Still wondering about the ballast resistor and electronic ignition. My car came to me with the Crane system and the ballast resistor by-passed, but no install instructions. I guess I'll try the new coil without and see.
Gee and I was looking forward to a nice red coil, a little excitement under the hood.....
Richard V