SL/R230 How much wind noise do you have with your top up?

Apr 25, 2005 | 12:58 PM

vkapoormd

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Joined: Jan 2005

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From: Beverly Hills, CA

2003 E500, 2005 SL600

How much wind noise do you have with your top up?

As i am driving my car more and more, when the top is up and windows are closed, i have noticed the slight whip of wind from the driver's side window, primarily at freeway speeds ( this is more so than my non convertible cars, but barely audible; nonetheless it's there). I can't say i have yet ridden in the passenger's side, so i don't know what that side sounds like. I spoke to my service advisor, and she advised me that they would change the gaskets and seals, and the whole thing would take a day or two. My questions are:

1. Is this normal; ie, should i not expect a perfect seal from this convertible?
2. How many of you SL 230 owner's experience this or something similar and has it been worth trying to fix it?
3. Any my biggest fear, could this be made worse by having them redo the seals, etc, and should i stick with what i have?

Thanks....

Apr 25, 2005 | 01:39 PM

StephenK

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Joined: Aug 2004

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From: Tallahassee, Florida

2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320

No noise of any significance

I don't have any significant wind noise although it is not as quite as my S500. I wouldn't go thru changing all the seals, that has the makings of problems.

Apr 25, 2005 | 01:48 PM

lorinserbenz

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none

I have a slight noise as well.. BUT ALL FOUR SL's I had did the same..
Mine is not too noticeable..
DONT change all the seals, you are opening a big can of worms.
Chances are good you will create a leak or make the wind noise worse.

Apr 25, 2005 | 02:02 PM

vkapoormd

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Joined: Jan 2005

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From: Beverly Hills, CA

2003 E500, 2005 SL600

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorinserbenz

thanks guys; that is what my gut is telling me...i'll only make it worse. I will keep things status quo...

Apr 27, 2005 | 11:13 PM

tiggerfink

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From: Memphis

SL500 and A-CLASS

My SL is very quiet. I do hear the wind hitting the top edge on my windows and along the a-piler on a windy day. It is like a buffering sound.

Apr 27, 2005 | 11:37 PM

CASL55

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Joined: Jun 2004

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From: Central California Coast

2004 SL55, 2005 E500 Wagon

On most road surfaces, the interior noise in my SL55 is dominated by road noise. Since the component that I hear most as the driver comes from behind my left shoulder, I at first mistook it for wind noise. Are you sure you're not doing the same?

The road noise has worsened as the original Contis have worn. In another six thousand miles or so, I'll be asking everybody on their recommendations for quiet tires.

Jim

Apr 28, 2005 | 12:44 AM

blueSL

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From: UK

SL55 AMG

I agree not to change the seals; you can't expect a car with the additional seals and frameless windows to be as quiet as one with a fixed roof. If the noise is already quite low, there's no guarantee changing the seals would make it better and the less the car comes apart, the better. It would be worth checking the window alignment to check that the window is seating properly in the seal when the door is closed.

As for tyres, I'm sold on Pirellis but it does depend on the roads are made of in your area. The best recommendation for you is a local recommendation.