SL/R129: DIY Hard Top Removal?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20
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DIY Hard Top Removal?
OK, Just spent another $150 to have the hard top put back on. Every year at this time I think seriously of taking it off myself and storing it in one of those rolling racks. So how many of you do your own hardtop removal/replacement? Is it hard to do? Seems simple and it gauls me to pay the Stealer that money not to mention the hassle.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
What?? $150 to remove the hard top. Are you serious? Sorry but you've been had. It's a 5 minute job at worst. You need 2 people, 1 each side of the car, or else use a hard top hoist and you can do it yourself.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 23
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From: Atlanta, GA
1999 SL500
Honestly, it would never have occurred to me that you could pay to have the hard top dealt with. I just get someone to help me and load it onto the rack for a good six months. Then it's back on the car and ready to go. At most, I'll buy someone lunch 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Yes, do buy one of those rolling racks. Do you have room to store the top in a vertical position on the rack? Ours came with a slip cover as well.
Follow the instructions in the owner's manual.
My wife (135 lbs, does weights) and I (160 lbs, office worker, don't do weights) managed to take off and put back on in our first year of ownership (2003). Our's is the heavier glass panorama roof.
I placed a heavy quilt over the trunk to prevent scratching if there was an unexpected drop.
I have seen an SL on display in a used car show room with a fairly deep scratch on the trunk paint from such an accedent.
When putting the top on I felt that a third person to help guide the pins into place would have been helpfull.
Follow the instructions in the owner's manual.
My wife (135 lbs, does weights) and I (160 lbs, office worker, don't do weights) managed to take off and put back on in our first year of ownership (2003). Our's is the heavier glass panorama roof.
I placed a heavy quilt over the trunk to prevent scratching if there was an unexpected drop.
I have seen an SL on display in a used car show room with a fairly deep scratch on the trunk paint from such an accedent.
When putting the top on I felt that a third person to help guide the pins into place would have been helpfull.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Thanks for the replies. I plan on getting a rolling rack and doing it myself in the Spring. Good idea to cover the trunk with a blanket. The other thing that bugs me about paying someone else to remove and store the top - as long as I am whining - is that more often than not, the top comes back dirty and with minor scratches and dings! This has happened at two different MB Dealers. The first time I made them fix the scratches, now I just shrug (and whine). But no more - next year I'll be the one putting the dings and scratches in my own top! Just kidding - thx for the encouragement.
