Skorp

Hello
Just recently got a CLK 63 and the only thing it needs is a new top as it is cracking apart. Is this a very hard DIY project that requires professionally, or can it be done yourself. I do love to work on cars and always try to do anything myself possible and know my way with car for the most part. Can't seem to find anything on YouTube or on Google.
Thank you!

Plutoe

Go to startek.com---put your VIN in and go to respective repair doc---you better be clever!!

Skorp

Hmm...not seeing anything at all about cars on any of the pages. Looks like a business brand management website. Wrong website?

Yidney

Rodney - screen name Rudeney - on the regular 209 forum did his. Truthfully, it is probably about as hard a DIY job as there is. Very time consuming and tricky. Rodney is a very talented DIY type, and it took him like 20 hours. I'd probably do mine if it needed it, but I'd know what I'm in for going in.

Jim's500E

Not for nuttin'...but unless you've done a Merc Cab top previously; you are going to want a professional to do this.

They will warranty their work, which is worth the price.

Skorp

Yikes 20 hours. Guess that is why it is so expensive to get it done. Well, unfortunately, I did get a quote from Mercedes yesterday and they said it would cost $9000!!!!!!!!! Pretty insane if you ask me for only installing a soft top. I am guessing that is all for that labor since the top only costs $659. I have installed a new top on my 981 Porsche Boxster, but it was not that difficult at all. Still, I could not believe it $9000 man what the hell...
Thanks for the help and advice everyone. Guess I am gonna keep looking around hoping to find a private mechanic/professional that will do it much cheaper or hopefully find an instructional video/class on learning to install this.

GatorMB

You want to do it yourself? Heres the SH!& bro.

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...anvas-top.html

Best, Gator

Klinh

I paid $1750 to replaced the top canvas. The shop is in San Diego.

Jim's500E

Wow, no, the labor is no where near 8 grand, that is the dealer raping your wallet if you fall for that BS. Glad you walked away !

2 experienced techs in 1 day can do it, prolly in much less than 8 hours too.

Under 2 grand sounds about right from a shop that does tops.

Khan 55

Yoh Gator. That post is more intense then an engine rebuild. I would never attempt that unless I had a spare scrap car that was a cabriolet. Endless nightmares

PKSlice

Wish there was a video of how to do this

mb3184amg

I can agree here. I was quoted I think like $1200 to do mine. Find any local boat shop. They usually work on convertible tops or will know who does locally. Anything under $2000 sounds about right. I have the top coming apart at the rear seams. I'm budgeting money to have this replaced.

PKSlice

I own a few boats and have had a number of tops replaced. Cars are quite different and in particular the Mercedes rear window how it attaches and comes apart to be fitted into a new top if you are reusing the glass.

The key is also all the various sub-assemblies and hydraulic parts that need to be disassembled and relaxed, the body trimming and put together so it all functions properly and fits nicely in the end. There is a thread somewhere that shows someone who did it from beginning to end and it is extremely involved. I did a top myself for a Mustang and was not happy due to the lack of instructions provided by the replacement top company. It was so bad I got mad at the car and sold it and bought my clk55 instead.

Best bet is to find a shop that has done the Mercedes before so you can talk to the MB owners who got it done for reference.