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Hello everyone. I have recently purchased a 1998 SL500, black over black, with only 27,300 miles. I believe the top is original, and the spare has never been on the ground (the four others are new). It is in excellent condition overall.
When I lower the top the latch on the driver's side makes a loud snap when it releases. Is this normal, or is the latch hanging up? Also, when I get on the gas from a stop or let off there is a sort of click that sounds like it's coming from under the car.
The latches at the A pillars do snap rather loudly. That is a characteristic of top at least as far as I have found. Don't know what the "click" might be though. Don't have experience with that model year, sorry.
The click you describe is likely the trans up or down shifting. I would describe it more like a bit of a "thunk" rather than click. Does that seem right to you? If so, it's pretty normal in older years, but not as noticeable in the 98 model.
I just bought a 2000 SL500 in excellent condition with only 35k miles. I was also stunned by the loud clicking sounds of both the soft and hard tops locking in place. The prior owner stated that this is normal. Cheers on the new ride!
1994 AMG E60 (W124); 1997 SL600; & few others that I cannot fit in here
Originally Posted by rich8566
I just bought a 2000 SL500 in excellent condition with only 35k miles. I was also stunned by the loud clicking sounds of both the soft and hard tops locking in place. The prior owner stated that this is normal. Cheers on the new ride!