SL/R129: help please
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
1998 sl 500 silver/black
help please
After searching for 10 years for the dream car, I just purchased a 1998 sl500 have ordered the manual from MB but I need a little tutorial. The roof goes up and down with the touch of a button on the console is there no lever to release doesn't seem to be but don't want to damage it. Also there is a multiple disc changer in trunk MB Bose and a cd radio (Nakamichi) on dash do I have to use a swithch to go from one to the other I can't get the changer to pop up to put in cd's? Also there is a switch below the side of the steering wheel by my right knee any thoughts as to what this can be. We bought the car from a used car dealer and no one there was really familiar with it. Love the car but feel like I have a new baby (they don't come with directions either but are harder to break). Thanks for any input.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, Tx
97 SL500
You are correct, there is no lever to release the top, just operate the switch (you must hold it while the top does it's thing). The Nakamichi is not OEM, so it's instructions won't be in the manual for the car. Try to get the model number and see if you can download the manual from Nak's website. If the CD Changer is Nakamichi then wouldn't surprise me one bit if didn't work...seems as though a large percentage of them fail at an early age but sound very good when they do work. Take a pic of the switch by your knee and maybe one of us will recognize it.
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 1
From: East Coast (Up and Down)
13 S550, 10 S550, 08 GL550, 05 SL65, 97 SL600, 09 E63
The switch by the knee is probably a valet switch for an aftermarket alarm system.
To operate the top, pull the switch back and hold it while the top is doing it's thing.. it'll make a couple of loud clicks (4 to be exact) and then pull the top back, stop in the middle, then pull up the back, open the tonneau, then fold into the storage area. The tonneau will come down after that and then you're done. To put up the top, push forward and hold the lever. The whole process reverses itself.
Just a few things I would definitely recommend..
1. Have the entire top mechanism checked out by a Mercedes dealership. You don't want to have a malfunctioning top.. (trust me on this one)
2. Have the oil changed and a full tune-up done
3. Have the brakes checked out.
I had all of these things done by the local Benz dealer immediately after I received the car. It's gonna be pricey, but the repairs on these cars are even pricier and the worst time to have a top fail is when it starts raining or even worse.. on a beautiful day when you want to take the top down.
Good luck on the car.. I LOVE mine..
To operate the top, pull the switch back and hold it while the top is doing it's thing.. it'll make a couple of loud clicks (4 to be exact) and then pull the top back, stop in the middle, then pull up the back, open the tonneau, then fold into the storage area. The tonneau will come down after that and then you're done. To put up the top, push forward and hold the lever. The whole process reverses itself.
Just a few things I would definitely recommend..
1. Have the entire top mechanism checked out by a Mercedes dealership. You don't want to have a malfunctioning top.. (trust me on this one)
2. Have the oil changed and a full tune-up done
3. Have the brakes checked out.
I had all of these things done by the local Benz dealer immediately after I received the car. It's gonna be pricey, but the repairs on these cars are even pricier and the worst time to have a top fail is when it starts raining or even worse.. on a beautiful day when you want to take the top down.
Good luck on the car.. I LOVE mine..
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 6
From: So California
2000 SL500
need a little tutorial
In the USA call MB at 1-800-367-6372, 4, 3 literature department.
Request a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class "Quick Tips" brochure. It is nicely done and used as a general reference.
They recently sent me this little spiral bound brochure for free.
My 2000 SL was p/n MC-99-147-13.
Request a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class "Quick Tips" brochure. It is nicely done and used as a general reference.
They recently sent me this little spiral bound brochure for free.
My 2000 SL was p/n MC-99-147-13.
