I installed a SmartTop roof controller from Mods4cars last year in my 1998 SL500.

Installation was straightforward but it is easy to mix up the connections. The wires to the soft top controller are quite fine and it was difficult to distinguish a green wire with black stripe with a green wire with a purple stripe. I made two errors despite being careful. If you are not handy with wires and tools I suggest you get an auto electrician to do the job.

Once installed properly it operated with the remote but would stop halfway in either raising or lowering the roof when the engine was not running.

A quick email response from Stefan identified the car battery as the likely culprit.

It was four years old and had always started the car without any problems. Despite passing the auto electrician's test I replaced it and the SmartTop controller has worked perfectly since.

I always drive to work with the roof down and I am in my office by the time the roof has closed rather than having to wait with a finger on the button. Similarly at night I press the unlock button on the keyfob three times as I approach the car and the roof is down by the time I have inserted the key into the ignition.

Getting caught in traffic in a sudden rainstorm was always embarrassing as you had to stop to raise the roof and hold up the cars behind. By setting the controller to 20km/h I can creep forward while the roof goes up, avoid the horn blasts and not get drenched. I wouldn't want to do it at any speed greater than creeping for fear of loading up the mechanism.

I was impressed with the service and troubleshooting and would highly recommend the device.

Peter Cowie
Sydney
Australia

 

sounds good mate how much was the system??

 

I just purchase one from emotormania.com, they are having 10% off. Everyone who i spoke with had good review about the module and the instruction looks fairly easy. Most of all like what Peter has indicated opening and closing while driving is the best part =)

 

let us know how to the install goes

 

Please be advised that the SmartTop controller doesn't work on the 95 SL500, only post 96 models. Stefan from Mods4car sent me his first R129 controller to test, incidentally, he was in Atlanta at the time to confirm my findings. Here's the last communication thread i got from emotormania.com today

"Hello Ken,

I just got the update from Mods4car and they are still working on the issue... hopefully they will have it ready by mid April. As of now, the smart top will not work on 1995 SL500. Once they resolve this matter I will provide you with updates. "

Thanks,

Jae Kim

 

I didn't know Mercedes made "smart" parts... aren't zey "efficient" Vee must build efficient automobiles!! Zo vee vill put zee 7.3 litre v-12 in zees car und zee 7.0 litre in zat car. Go Hans. Verk expediously und efficiently.

 

soon they will have a module for the pre 96 sl..... very very soon....

 

i have on in my car and i love it. after i turn the car off i can roll the windows up. if im useing the truck key i can turn the key and t he top goes down. nice. this week i take my car in for the next upgrade. like to see what it does then.
Ps how many would like to have there seat go back when you turn off the eng.

 

checking to see if the smart top controller is available for the 95 sl500.