gez
Senior Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2007
- Messages
- 155
- Reaction score
- 63
- Location
- South Coast
- Your Mercedes
- R230 SL350; R231 SL400 (SOLD), W211 E320 CDi Estate (SOLD), R129 Brabus SL500 (should not have SOLD)
Hi,
Now that I have owned and greatly enjoyed my SL for a few months, I have a few questions that I'm sure can be answered:-
1. I originally thought I had a problem with the roof, now I dont think I do, but could use your inputs:
- I tested the softtop a few times when I purchased it, which worked fine, then we fitted the hardtop which locked down ok, the deal was done and I drove home. When I first removed the hardtop (then manually, now I have a hoist in the garage) the softtop would not raise (could hear motors whirring, red light just flashed continuously), used the tool to open the cover and manually lifted the hood out, dragging it to the front, then it would complete the cycle and lock using the button (i.e. I did not need to manually lock it above the windscreen), then it was always fine raising and lowering the softtop. I read the forum for clues and ensured that I hoisted the hardtop off evenly and I think on 1 occasion the softtop then raised ok without manual intervention, but not always. Then I read the manual fully and realised the doors should be opened when removing the hardtop. I have now followed this routine a few times and all now seems OK.
Have I still got a potential problem or was the failure to automatically raise the softtop immediately the hardtop had been removed due to the doors not being opened?
I saw some links to checking the roof hydraulic fluid level, but cannot see any references in the handbook to how or where this can be checked? Whether I have a problem or not I would like to check this.
2. I have a cut in the drivers seat leather. Not all the way through, but noticeable. I also have some wear on the drivers seat side where the seatbelt lies. This seems to not be uncommon.
Does anyone have any recommendations for diy leather repair kits and dye's or are there any recommendations for repairers on the South coast, Southampton or Thames Valley areas?
I suspect that there are many LHD SL's on the continent at breakers yards which probably have perfect passenger seats that would be attractive to UK buyers. Does anyone know of continental breakers that will ship to the UK?
3. Service A is due soon. Merc of Soton do not discount for older Mercs and I would like to keep the fMsh. I read good things of Tony Purslow of Basingstoke and will phone for a price, but does anyone know if they discount for older Mercs, or if worthwhile considering others in the SC/TV areas?
4. I have fitted a Belkin casette adaptor and run the wire into the storage behind the gear level to connect my ipod to the APS30 and have been surprised at how reasonable the quality is, but is there a means of connecting into the CD autochanger bus (mine has the fibre optic interface) or creating an auxillary input? I would prefer not to fit an after market stereo but to keep the car original.
Thanks!
Now that I have owned and greatly enjoyed my SL for a few months, I have a few questions that I'm sure can be answered:-
1. I originally thought I had a problem with the roof, now I dont think I do, but could use your inputs:
- I tested the softtop a few times when I purchased it, which worked fine, then we fitted the hardtop which locked down ok, the deal was done and I drove home. When I first removed the hardtop (then manually, now I have a hoist in the garage) the softtop would not raise (could hear motors whirring, red light just flashed continuously), used the tool to open the cover and manually lifted the hood out, dragging it to the front, then it would complete the cycle and lock using the button (i.e. I did not need to manually lock it above the windscreen), then it was always fine raising and lowering the softtop. I read the forum for clues and ensured that I hoisted the hardtop off evenly and I think on 1 occasion the softtop then raised ok without manual intervention, but not always. Then I read the manual fully and realised the doors should be opened when removing the hardtop. I have now followed this routine a few times and all now seems OK.
Have I still got a potential problem or was the failure to automatically raise the softtop immediately the hardtop had been removed due to the doors not being opened?
I saw some links to checking the roof hydraulic fluid level, but cannot see any references in the handbook to how or where this can be checked? Whether I have a problem or not I would like to check this.
2. I have a cut in the drivers seat leather. Not all the way through, but noticeable. I also have some wear on the drivers seat side where the seatbelt lies. This seems to not be uncommon.
Does anyone have any recommendations for diy leather repair kits and dye's or are there any recommendations for repairers on the South coast, Southampton or Thames Valley areas?
I suspect that there are many LHD SL's on the continent at breakers yards which probably have perfect passenger seats that would be attractive to UK buyers. Does anyone know of continental breakers that will ship to the UK?
3. Service A is due soon. Merc of Soton do not discount for older Mercs and I would like to keep the fMsh. I read good things of Tony Purslow of Basingstoke and will phone for a price, but does anyone know if they discount for older Mercs, or if worthwhile considering others in the SC/TV areas?
4. I have fitted a Belkin casette adaptor and run the wire into the storage behind the gear level to connect my ipod to the APS30 and have been surprised at how reasonable the quality is, but is there a means of connecting into the CD autochanger bus (mine has the fibre optic interface) or creating an auxillary input? I would prefer not to fit an after market stereo but to keep the car original.
Thanks!
