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2003 G500 Renewal Project
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Posted 5/30/2022 12:17 PM
2000BEAST
Regular


Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
50
2003 G500 Renewal Project

Had my truck since 2007 (second owner) 161K miles now and going to give it a little love and launch into a little "spruce up" project.

On the list ...

Suspension Bushings (poly or rubber?)
Renew Front Seat Leather (find a source for the skins, maybe a Custom Shop ?)
Upgrade Radio Headunit (something that looks somewhat stock, basic, but would love a backup camera)

ANY suggestions on any of these items (based upon your experience) is appreciated !

I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area.

THX !
#243626
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Author
Posted 5/31/2022 12:28 AM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
RE: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

I would recommend replacement rubber bushings for your suspension. Order them thru MB on a discount website.
I like MBoemparts.com

Poly is much firmer and squeaks.

gerryvz - 12/31/2018 6:51 AM

MB of Naperville, IL offers parts at a 26% discount off of list price (which is about the same if not slightly better than MB Asheville's discount), no sales tax for internet orders, and free shipping.

www.mboemparts.com
Free shipping code: 500EPROMO

Hard to beat this deal.
#243627 - in reply to #243626
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Posted 6/3/2022 10:01 AM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
5000
RE: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

Otiswesty - 5/31/2022 12:28 AM

I would recommend replacement rubber bushings for your suspension. Order them thru MB on a discount website.
I like MBoemparts.com

Poly is much firmer and squeaks.

gerryvz - 12/31/2018 6:51 AM

MB of Naperville, IL offers parts at a 26% discount off of list price (which is about the same if not slightly better than MB Asheville's discount), no sales tax for internet orders, and free shipping.

www.mboemparts.com
Free shipping code: 500EPROMO

Hard to beat this deal.


MB of Asheville has new owners, and no longer offers discounts on parts.

This is the one I currently use: https://www.mbpartsexpress.com/
#243631 - in reply to #243627
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Posted 6/7/2022 12:06 AM
WEBIII
Extreme Veteran


Date registered: Oct 2010
Location: Inlet Beach, FL
Vehicle(s): 461.318, 463.241
Posts: 315
300
Re: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

You can still buy replacement leather from MB but be prepared to open your wallet wide. Roughly $1000 for just the driver's upright portion in black. The bottom is another grand.

https://www.mboemparts.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-cover-46391012479...

Check ebay seller slava81. He often parts out wrecked gwagens and he happens to have a pair of black seats out of a 2002 right now.

#243637 - in reply to #243631
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Posted 6/26/2022 6:14 PM
2000BEAST
Regular


Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
50
Re: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

Thanks - I'm honestly surprised that the leather replacement hasnt been discussed more on the site.

My G is approaching its 20th BDAY and obviously so are many others. I would imagine that there is a custom Shop out there who has done these, or would be interested in starting up as more and more demand will follow with age.

Im in the San Francisco bay area, and havent found a good source yet. Seems like LA is the next step for me in my search.
#243659 - in reply to #243626
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Posted 7/30/2022 11:31 AM
VeldWerks
Member


Date registered: Jul 2022
Location: Houston, TX
Vehicle(s): 08' G55 & 12' E63
Posts: 5

Re: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

I may have a set of g55 seats avail - redone with factory designo and new seat foam roughly a year ago by PO... PM me if interested. rears are mint but orig and could be avail as well

Erich
#243708 - in reply to #243626
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Posted 9/10/2022 1:08 PM
2000BEAST
Regular


Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
50
Re: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

UPDATE - in the last 60 days ...

Replaced stock Comand Headunit with ALPINE 650 - happy camper, big update and looks clean.

Had my trusted mechanic renew all (left right side) MBZ front end bushings - not cheap but makes the truck ride like new. Added bonus ... an annoying squeak or two that I thought was around the dashboard are gone (must have actually been the bushings).

Replaced ORIGINAL ( at 161K ! ) serpentine belt, idler etc.

Replaced the passenger side window regulator. Done 4-5 of these on my truck, so brought back memories. Why hasn't anyone come up with updated parts for these ? That Nylon/Delron gear is doomed to break at some point.

Transmission Service - left this one to my mechanic too. $600 well spent since I plan on keeping the beast "forever".

I flushed Brakes and Transfer case, and renewed differential fluids.
I replaced dim/out LCD display ... $60 China part on Ebay. Works like a charm, and appreciated the online tutorials.

Remaining on list -

Dink around with psycho Drivers seat position switch (again). I'm going try and clean it with electronic spray first (that worked last time) before ordering a new switch.

Look into non functioning MBZ lighted sill plate. Passenger side works, but drivers side does not.

Still trying to find an upholster who can do my front seats (color = dove grey ?) . The drivers seat is bad, passenger seat very good, rear seats like new.. Not sure I can "match" the leather and only do the drivers seat, so likely will need to do both front seats.





#243770 - in reply to #243626
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Posted 9/15/2022 12:09 AM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
RE: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

You might consider going with an aftermarket Scheelman seat set. Toby Pond is the owner and they are based in Portland. I know he replaced his 2000 G500 grey front seats and they look really nice, plus they would bypass the unreliable switches in your door panel.
He has done a lot of Gwagons and would have some good ideas and suggestions for your 2003.

http://scheel-mann.com/
#243771 - in reply to #243626
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Posted 9/15/2022 1:38 PM
Tpond
New user


Date registered: Dec 2014
Location: Portland, OR. USA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500, 2016 Sprinter 4x4
Posts: 3

Re: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

Thanks for the plug Otiswesty. If you would like to upgrade the seats to non powered scheel-mann seats, I am happy to help go over all the details to get you set up. We can make them in grey leather to match your current interior. Send me a note to info@scheel-mann.com
#243772 - in reply to #243626
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Posted 9/16/2022 2:30 PM
2000BEAST
Regular


Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
50
Re: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

I'll definitely get in touch with you... the quality looks awesome on your website BTW.

Was trying to stick with stock seats, but since I have no plan to sell my G there's really no reason to do that.

Not sure what's all involved in pulling out the originals and installing the new seats - hopefully you have a little input on that as well.

THX X2 !
#243775 - in reply to #243772
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Posted 9/16/2022 11:41 PM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
RE: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

I know a few people around here that have bought a set of the Scheelman's and transferred them to a different Gwagon later. If you have room to save the original seats in an attic or something, you could always pop them back in if you end up changing vehicles at a later date.

I had stock manual seats in my 1996 G320 that I liked especially for that reason. Of course, the other option would be to get a powered seat and hook it up to switched 12v power source.
#243776 - in reply to #243626
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Posted 8/12/2023 7:02 PM
2000BEAST
Regular


Date registered: Jul 2010
Location: NOCAL USA
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500 / 2008 Carrera S / 2019 GLC 43
Posts: 83
50
Re: 2003 G500 Renewal Project

Well... I was up in Portland a few months ago and stopped in to see Scheelman - very nice guys.

I really liked their seats, price was fair, and the quality was great. What didn't work for me was the lack of actual seat-base options (the part that bolts to the floor). The "universal" one they offered looked very non-stock, and more for a dedicated off roader than I preferred.

Also would be losing power adjustability and preset memory functions.

Finally going to take the plunge and investigate having the seat covers replaced. My back seats are perfect, so really trying to just match that existing leather as closely as possible. I think the color is Sierra Gray ?

From my early research, if you take off the seats and send them out - there are several companies willing to make you a new set... question for me is quality and match.

If anyone has any suggestions there - appreciate hearing them ! I'm in Northern CA ...

Otherwise will eventually report back on what I wound up doing.

#243982 - in reply to #243626
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