280SL REAR SIDE MARKER LIGHTS

[RBYCC]

I'm will soon install the missing red rear side marker lights on my 1971 280SL.

I need to template the unit in order to drill / punch the holes in the fender.

The lens is wedge shaped...

Question....does the higher part of the lens face front or rear

Thanks !

ED A.
1971 280SL
1988 300CE TWIN TURBO
1990 C43 AMG
2003 G55 AMG

[Mike Hughes]

Rear.  The rear fender tapers in towards the rear.  That way the reflector is parallel to direction of travel.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[RBYCC]

quote:Originally posted by Mike Hughes

Rear.  The rear fender tapers in towards the rear.  That way the reflector is parallel to direction of travel.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

Much thanks !!!

ED A.
1971 280SL
1988 300CE TWIN TURBO
1990 C43 AMG
2003 G55 AMG

[waqas]

Question- does anyone know if the 108 side marker lights (280SE, etc) are the same as those for the 113?

Waqas in Austin, Texas

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by waqas

Question- does anyone know if the 108 side marker lights (280SE, etc) are the same as those for the 113?

Waqas in Austin, Texas

I don't know the answer to that specifically regarding the W108, but I believe with 95% certainty that these side markers are the same as those on 1970's BMW's, 1970's Volkswagen (Rabbit) too.  I've had all 3 and they look suspiciously identical.  Ditto for the interior light, the white one that is mounted kind of under our dash.  Same on the VW Rabbit, and I swear it was the same on my 320i as well.

Bosch you know.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[al_lieffring]

quote:Originally posted by waqas

Question- does anyone know if the 108 side marker lights (280SE, etc) are the same as those for the 113?

Waqas in Austin, Texas

Yes, the 108,109,110,111,(I dont think a USA 112 was made after 67)113,114 and 115 series all used the same side marker lamps. 68 and 69 models had reflectors, 70 through 75 models were illuminated,

Also there is a left and a right for front and rear,
The screw for the bezel mounts to the outside (to the rear on the rear fender, to the front on the front fender).
The rubber gasket has a drain hole that mounts to the bottom.

Al Lieffring
66 230SL

[Douglas]

quote:Originally posted by mdsalemi

quote:Originally posted by waqas

Question- does anyone know if the 108 side marker lights (280SE, etc) are the same as those for the 113?

Waqas in Austin, Texas

I don't know the answer to that specifically regarding the W108, but I believe with 95% certainty that these side markers are the same as those on 1970's BMW's, 1970's Volkswagen (Rabbit) too.  I've had all 3 and they look suspiciously identical.  Ditto for the interior light, the white one that is mounted kind of under our dash.  Same on the VW Rabbit, and I swear it was the same on my 320i as well.

Bosch you know.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

I believe that's correct. They're the same as a W108 or BMW of the same vintage. They're Hella, as I recall.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[JPMOSE]

I am planning on replacing the rear reflectors on my '68 250SL and spoke with K&K Mfg. yesterday.  I was told that they fit differently than the originals, as only the sedan version is available.  Although the appearance from the front is identical, the holes won't match and will require drilling.  My originals are real nice (chrome is perfect) but I suspect that the "red" is slightly faded.  Based on the foregoing, I opted not to purchase them for now.

This seems to conflict with the responses below, stating the side reflectors are all the same for various MB chassis.

Any comments would be appreciated.  Thanks.


Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

[al_lieffring]

quote:Originally posted by JPMOSE

I am planning on replacing the rear reflectors on my '68 250SL and spoke with K&K Mfg. yesterday.  I was told that they fit differently than the originals, as only the sedan version is available.  Although the appearance from the front is identical, the holes won't match and will require drilling.  My originals are real nice (chrome is perfect) but I suspect that the "red" is slightly faded.  Based on the foregoing, I opted not to purchase them for now.

This seems to conflict with the responses below, stating the side reflectors are all the same for various MB chassis.

Any comments would be appreciated.  Thanks.


Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1987 560SL

The orginal reflectors that were mounted on the cars were attached to the fender by metal studs that were molded directly into the plastic lense. These broke quite easily and the replacement parts that were sold from about 1970 on were the same as the ones now available with a metal backing plate and studs that attach to the fender and a colored reflector that attaches from the outside with a screw,

If the chrome bezel has a visible screw from the outside, the markesr have already been replaced with the later style.
On the original reflectors, the metal studs almost always broke away from the plastic lense when removed for repainting so it is very unlikely that a set of these still exist.

Al Lieffring
66 230SL