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)
I recently sold my R231 SL400 and am now looking to replace it for summer 2022. Knowing that lead times on new builds are currently about 6 months I test drove a late used E300 cabriolet today.
I was very impressed with the car for it's smooth drive, quality interior etc. and it closely matches my wish for a grand tourer and not a sports cabriolet, though I do wish that Mercedes had not dropped the air suspension on all E-class models except the E53/63.
However, there is one showstopper for me and that is Aircap. I had read many good reviews of it as being effective but the reality for me was that it simply does not work. It was a very sunny day today, but only 19 degrees. In my SL (and in all of my former Jag XKR, R129 SL, CLK cabriolets) with the wind deflector and windows up there would be very minimal turbulence in the cabin and my wife's hair would stay in place (vital!). I could not tell the difference with all 4 windows up and the Aircap up or down, it had virtually zero effect. The obvious difference is that the wind deflector is behind the rear seats whereas on all others it is behind the front seats, which is fine as 90% of the time no-one will sit in the back.
So I returned the car to the Merc dealer and told him, no thanks I would look for another car that might suit my needs.... but then a google search came across this:-
https://configurator.mercedes-benz-...g_draught-stop_A2388607700?cartransporter=car
Bingo! Placing an order for a new E-class cabriolet might well be back on, as long as it definitely fits the latest generation and latest facelift of the W213. I have asked the salesman to check and let me know but I'd have more faith in hearing from any other owner of a late model that has this fitted.
I was very impressed with the car for it's smooth drive, quality interior etc. and it closely matches my wish for a grand tourer and not a sports cabriolet, though I do wish that Mercedes had not dropped the air suspension on all E-class models except the E53/63.
However, there is one showstopper for me and that is Aircap. I had read many good reviews of it as being effective but the reality for me was that it simply does not work. It was a very sunny day today, but only 19 degrees. In my SL (and in all of my former Jag XKR, R129 SL, CLK cabriolets) with the wind deflector and windows up there would be very minimal turbulence in the cabin and my wife's hair would stay in place (vital!). I could not tell the difference with all 4 windows up and the Aircap up or down, it had virtually zero effect. The obvious difference is that the wind deflector is behind the rear seats whereas on all others it is behind the front seats, which is fine as 90% of the time no-one will sit in the back.
So I returned the car to the Merc dealer and told him, no thanks I would look for another car that might suit my needs.... but then a google search came across this:-
https://configurator.mercedes-benz-...g_draught-stop_A2388607700?cartransporter=car
Bingo! Placing an order for a new E-class cabriolet might well be back on, as long as it definitely fits the latest generation and latest facelift of the W213. I have asked the salesman to check and let me know but I'd have more faith in hearing from any other owner of a late model that has this fitted.
