Convertible? Britain? You only live once!

[Moshe]

Hi. Had my E250 convertible for a few weeks and love it more each time I take it out (daily). Even in the crap British weather that was the source for my p*ss-taking of convertible drivers until I decided that life is too short to not own one at least once
Couple of quickies...
Should the cornering lighting work on both sides or is it near side only?
Which of the Birmingham Indy specialists is best and are there any to avoid?

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

The weather in the UK is actually about the best for a convertibubble as it generally doesn't get too hot to have the top down - with AC and air scarf you can have the top down all year

MSL is well respected

Cornering lights should be both sides

 

[harrye500]

Welcome from a fellow E Convertible owner of some 5 years, enjoy that weather whenever you can! I second Blobcat yes the Cornering should work both sides. Nice evening summer rides out of any blistering sun, with roof down and a bit of Nina Simone on the stereo, now that's living!

 

[mioba]

As long as its dry modern convertibles are great if you like the feel of the air.
Lovely motor and welcome to the forum

 

[Wighty]

And Mercland , Nuneaton as well for an Indy recommendation

 

[Frontstep]

The weather you don't want in a convertible is hot and sunny in a town even my full head of hair doesn't stop your head boiling when you stop.

Enjoy.

 

[Chrishazle]

I find that roof down I have to wear a baseball type hat (correct way round!!) not just to stop my "solar panel" from getting burnt, but mainly to keep the sun out of my eyes!I have a good one almost the same colour as my SLK - how sad is that!!

 

[dry run]

Welcome

 

[LostKiwi]

I find anything much beyond 30°C starts to become unpleasant in a convertible. The flip side of that is even down to 0°C a convertible can still be a pleasant place to be (especially if it is a clear starry night!)

 

[Chrishazle]

LK is correct - as long as your car has airscarf as well as the normal heater! We've often been out in lowish temperatures but nice day, roof down, side windows up, wind deflector, plus heater and airscarf on, and been comfortable!

 

[LostKiwi]

No airscarf on ours but still pleasant down to low temps. As you say, windows up, heater on, seat heaters on and wind deflector up and it's lovely.

 

[Chrishazle]

Forgot the heated seats - essential with leather upholstery in cooler days, luckily have them on both cars - no airscarf on the S204, but then it's not a convertible!!

 

[rorywquin]

I had a R172 SLK350 when I lived in Brisbane (Australia) and found the good weather a nicer experience than here but it was much too hot during the heat of the day to have the roof open. I used mine as my daily driver to & from work & unless it was raining (rare) the roof was just about permanently open - stayed open in my garage overnight.

Here, unless it is raining, having the top down is always a good option except for the 2 weeks of summer when it is too hot during the day. On a nice day, at low speeds, I really enjoy having all the windows and deflector down when the roof is open. On colder days, thermotronic a/c, airscarf, wind deflector & heated seats make the SL a lovely place to be.

@Chrishazle - you forgot to spec the massage function...... Lovely on a long trip.

 

[Moshe]

I find that roof down I have to wear a baseball type hat (correct way round!!) not just to stop my "solar panel" from getting burnt, but mainly to keep the sun out of my eyes!I have a good one almost the same colour as my SLK - how sad is that!!

I saw a guy on the streets of Birmingham the other day riding a Honda Cub 90 type thing and he was wearing a matching cycling helmet! Funniest thing I’ve seen for ages!

 

[Moshe]

Feeling even happier with my choice now. Thanks guys.

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome

 

[harrye500]

Moshe you do see some funny things in Brum I must say! I've worked in the city centre since 2005 (top of Corporation Street) mind you, I've seen the inside of the office a handful of times since this evil virus! Enjoy your motor and make sure you tut at anyone you see with their convertible roof up on a nice day

 

[SL63 Mark]

Hi. Had my E250 convertible for a few weeks and love it more each time I take it out (daily). Even in the crap British weather that was the source for my p*ss-taking of convertible drivers until I decided that life is too short to not own one at least once

Not sure about the E class, but you can pretty much have the roof down any time in an SL. MB have designed it to keep the occupants warm and comfortable at any speed or temperature.

Personally I don't tend to have the roof down if it looks like rain, but otherwise a convertible is a year round proposition in the southern UK at least.

If it does rain, you can raise the roof pretty quickly, with the flick of a switch.

 

[harrye500]

E is pretty much the same SL55 Mark it has airscarf + the quite good aircap. Roof can be upped/downed up to about 20mph which is very useful if it starts raining!

 

[rorywquin]

E is pretty much the same SL55 Mark it has airscarf + the quite good aircap. Roof can be upped/downed up to about 20mph which is very useful if it starts raining!

Correct me if I’m wrong but to get the roof moving in either direction you have to be at a complete stop. Which is the case on the R231 facelift SL. I’ve added a SmartTop and can begin the action without having to be at a standstill.