SL/R129: 1996 SL320 REPLACE SOFT TOP
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2
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From: akron, ohio
sl320, 300td
1996 SL320 REPLACE SOFT TOP
Could anyone advise if replacing my soft top is something that an good home mechanic should be able to accomplish with little or no ill results? And if so, please advise source for replacement top.
Thanks,
Andrew Cahan
Thanks,
Andrew Cahan
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
W211
The top is composed of two parts, the rear window panel and the top panel. I don't remember where I saw it before but there was a video of how to replace the tops on the R129. Tedious work (10 hours for the rear window) but easily done at home. I replaced the rear window panel in my car as the top was ok and the windows were already cloudy. Little did I know, Meguire's Plastic Cleaner and Wax could have removed the haziness.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 282
Likes: 3
From: Bradenton, FL
'87 560SL Sold, '99 SL500 For Keeps
Andrew, to see what you might be getting yourself into, on YouTube, using the search string, tamango r129, you'll find a number of video clips that were originally produced by Mercedes to educate their techs. There are 12-14 videos that cover the removal/installation of the soft top; view them in order, i.e. 1, 2...etc. IMO, the video's understate the complexity of the job, but you can judge that for yourself.
As far as where to source the new top, I've used German American Tops & Upholstery in CA. I've gotten 3 tops from them for my 560SL, and SL500, and they have been excellent for the following reasons 1) Quality of materials and fit 2) Best selection of materials/colors 3) Highest Value, i.e. fast delivery, aggressive competitive pricing, very knowledgeable, and honest 4) Outstanding post sale Support. Most important for your decision is that John sells to both individual owners like us, as well as to many, many local shops, meaning that he can refer you to a local installer to either do the entire job or assist you if you get in over your head
John also has a website and a 'store' on ebay, but I'd recommend you call/email him directly and discuss what you want to accomplish and trust what he says. Good Luck-
Owner's Name, John Oganesyan
Tel: 818-766-9511
email: kush213@yahoo.com
Bob
As far as where to source the new top, I've used German American Tops & Upholstery in CA. I've gotten 3 tops from them for my 560SL, and SL500, and they have been excellent for the following reasons 1) Quality of materials and fit 2) Best selection of materials/colors 3) Highest Value, i.e. fast delivery, aggressive competitive pricing, very knowledgeable, and honest 4) Outstanding post sale Support. Most important for your decision is that John sells to both individual owners like us, as well as to many, many local shops, meaning that he can refer you to a local installer to either do the entire job or assist you if you get in over your head
John also has a website and a 'store' on ebay, but I'd recommend you call/email him directly and discuss what you want to accomplish and trust what he says. Good Luck-
Owner's Name, John Oganesyan
Tel: 818-766-9511
email: kush213@yahoo.com
Bob
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: akron, ohio
sl320, 300td
Andrew, to see what you might be getting yourself into, on YouTube, using the search string, tamango r129, you'll find a number of video clips that were originally produced by Mercedes to educate their techs. There are 12-14 videos that cover the removal/installation of the soft top; view them in order, i.e. 1, 2...etc. IMO, the video's understate the complexity of the job, but you can judge that for yourself.
As far as where to source the new top, I've used German American Tops & Upholstery in CA. I've gotten 3 tops from them for my 560SL, and SL500, and they have been excellent for the following reasons 1) Quality of materials and fit 2) Best selection of materials/colors 3) Highest Value, i.e. fast delivery, aggressive competitive pricing, very knowledgeable, and honest 4) Outstanding post sale Support. Most important for your decision is that John sells to both individual owners like us, as well as to many, many local shops, meaning that he can refer you to a local installer to either do the entire job or assist you if you get in over your head
John also has a website and a 'store' on ebay, but I'd recommend you call/email him directly and discuss what you want to accomplish and trust what he says. Good Luck-
Owner's Name, John Oganesyan
Tel: 818-766-9511
email: kush213@yahoo.com
Bob
As far as where to source the new top, I've used German American Tops & Upholstery in CA. I've gotten 3 tops from them for my 560SL, and SL500, and they have been excellent for the following reasons 1) Quality of materials and fit 2) Best selection of materials/colors 3) Highest Value, i.e. fast delivery, aggressive competitive pricing, very knowledgeable, and honest 4) Outstanding post sale Support. Most important for your decision is that John sells to both individual owners like us, as well as to many, many local shops, meaning that he can refer you to a local installer to either do the entire job or assist you if you get in over your head
John also has a website and a 'store' on ebay, but I'd recommend you call/email him directly and discuss what you want to accomplish and trust what he says. Good Luck-
Owner's Name, John Oganesyan
Tel: 818-766-9511
email: kush213@yahoo.com
Bob
Many thanks! I will check out the utube videos and see if it is something I feel comfortable with. Either way, the source for ther top is great.
Andy
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 282
Likes: 3
From: Bradenton, FL
'87 560SL Sold, '99 SL500 For Keeps
What little I know about sunbrella fabrics you could put in a thimble. If I'm correct, the possible advantage might be in potential UV protection? I think the modern top fabrics and vinyls would give you similar UV protection. Since our tops are actually 3 layers (top layer, waterproof rubber layer, underlayment layer, all bonded together, it makes a pretty bulletproof top system. For more specifics on this topic, please go to the Haartz site, www.haartz.com . As the US , if not the worlds, largest and best top fabric manufacturer, the explain this topic much better than I can. My personal bottom line is that the marginal benefit of a sunbrella top material could never be cost justified as the custom manufacturing cost of this type of top would be way more than I would want to spend.
As far as the single rear window (as opposed to the standard 3 window config) I've only seen pictures of, and I didn't care for the look of it. But more important to me is the safety/vision aspect as a single window would serve to enlarge an already large blind spot.
As far as tinting, I would specify an already tinted window as opposed to adding a tint material to the inside of the plastic window. I've never seen one last very long.
All this said, if you're interested in pursuing these ideas, call John and run you're ideas past him; he lives and breaths this stuff and is your best resource.
