SL/R230: How well does the rear wind deflector work?
#26
Senior Member
at $700+ new from MB dealers, windscreen is indeed a commodity when you sell your MB w/out it and then sell it later on eBay. I installed on my '06 SL500 this week and it looks good.. haven't tried it yet due to weather. I can say this though, I don't plan to raise the roll bar up as indeed, the double screen would make it very hard to see.
Btw, anybody knows if the roll bar would be automatically raised up if the top is down and you are in a spin or about to be in an accident? you know just like how the door will be unlocked/ windows lowered down, etc.. when MB cars sense that you are losing control of your vehicles.
Btw, anybody knows if the roll bar would be automatically raised up if the top is down and you are in a spin or about to be in an accident? you know just like how the door will be unlocked/ windows lowered down, etc.. when MB cars sense that you are losing control of your vehicles.
The following users liked this post:
moretech (03-03-2017)
#29
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Europe, but from Norway
Posts: 431
Received 46 Likes
on
41 Posts
89 SL500 Silver ,97 SL500 Carlsson 04 Mercedes SL55 AMG , 07 Mercedes SL55 AMG convertedBlack series
Sucked ashtray clean
I just got a used windscreen and will put on my 'new' '06 model... don't know how yet but the instruction from the Owner's manual doesn't look too bad.. Thanks for the tip on damaging the roll bar.. I will put some type of felt cushion under the buckle belts. But quick question: when the top is down, i noticed the 2 little rear windows are also down as well. I don't seem to find a button/control to raise these 2 rear windows... am I missing something here?
#33
Junior Member
Have one for sale?
Does anyone have a black one that is like new, for my 2009 SL 550 that they would like to sell? Thank you! Bill
#34
Senior Member
The GF used to think the only way to use the windscreen was with the rollbar up. One day she complained about the blindspot created by the raised rollbar when trying to make lane changes to the left on the highway. I laughed and said that's why I never raise the rollbar, but rather just raise the windscreen. It was then that she realised the windscreen wasn't part of the rollbar and that it could be raised independent of the roll bar. She also hadn't realised that the windscreen had 2 parts. one vertical screen, but also an attached horizontal screen. Since the horizontal portion is attached to the rollbar, it can't be used when the rollbar is raised. Now she drives exclusively with the rollbar lowered and the windscreen deployed, with all 4 windows raised and is happy as pie with the almost zero wind turbulence in the cabin.
#35
MBworld Guru
I don't use the windscreen as I find it does very little to reduce wind turbulence in the cockpit. On my W209 CLK, with the windows and the windscreen raised, I could do 120mph on the freeway and have just a gently bit of air movement, like a sunroof on a car. On the SL, raising the windows helps with turbulence, but it seems that raising the windscreen actually increased wind in the cockpit, especially lower, around the console and footwells.
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Maricopa Arizona/San Diego California
Posts: 280
Received 77 Likes
on
41 Posts
1988 BMW M5, 1989 BMW M3, 1979 Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9, 2006 SL55 AMG w/ P30 Performance Pack
I use the windscreen with the rollbar down when traveling on freeways. I perceive a very noticeable calming - watch your passenger's hair to see the difference. My girlfriend always requests the screen up.
Not to say that it isn't a matter of personal preference, but I do believe it does make a difference. Just my opinion.
Not to say that it isn't a matter of personal preference, but I do believe it does make a difference. Just my opinion.
It makes a huge difference! My ears are very sensitive to wind buffeting....drives me crazy! The wind blocker on my 2006 SL55 works two ways and not sure if most know the difference. You can have it "up" with the roll bar down. It works best in this configuration. The top portion that rocks forward almost touching the headrest blocks turbulent air blowing backwards right into your head. The bottom (flat) section blocks the same air turbulence from blowing down into the rear compartment and forward between the seats. If you put the roll bar up, the blocker folds into a one piece unit blocking a lot of rear visibility. It also allows turbulent air now to flow down the rear compartment forward thru the seats. It also allows the screen material to flap around looking like it's broken. This configuration is useless unless you don't want the driver behind you to not see you. (it's like a solid curtain now but practically useless)
If you really think the windblocker doesn't help, drive your car at 65 mph in the middle of winter with windows down and no heat! Trust me, you will feel the difference! As stated rolling up all 4 windows really keeps the cabin vitually free from air turbulence, but to me, it's silly to have the top down and windows up! That defeats the purpose of the convertible experience IMO. I have owned several convertibles for many years and every wind blocker device has made a big difference to me. Just my 2 cents.
#37
Personal observations I have had a R129-1994 and an R230-2008 they both came with windscreens as OE, at highway speeds with the windows up they make driving and talking acceptable. In the 230 screen up and all 4-windows I can talk on the phone thru Bluetooth with no problems. The screens are easy to find Ebay/amazon I have never used the bag to store them, they don’t damage the roll bar in either car. I find the shelf they create,top up, is useful for storage.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Norway
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
23 Posts
350 SL, R230 - 300 SL, R129 - 1964 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe - Porsche 911 Twin Turbo (sold)
I been thinking of buying a wind deflector (windschott) but if i do i want to get the wind deflector in the same color as the interior of the car
Any here knows who sells wind deflector in a light beige color as shown on the picture here
Last edited by TheSaint; 05-17-2018 at 11:57 AM.
#39
Junior Member
There is currently one for sale, I just saw it as I was searching for black. Do a thorough search and you should find it.
#40
Junior Member
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Beige-Windb...d=392005172380
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252741178454?clk_rvr_id=1534441488222&rmvSB=true#s hpCntId
Last edited by BigOldBlue; 05-17-2018 at 10:59 PM.
#41
Member
In my SL550 the windscreen cuts the turbulence by 60-75%, huge difference. If it doesn't cut it significantly on your SL I would look at other owners SL's or take a test drive in one that is the same MY as yours to note the difference and how it's installed as well. Just my two cents.
#42
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,350
Received 221 Likes
on
189 Posts
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
I'm sure danaw007 is right about that. On our 2005 model the difference is decisive for comfort. Sometimes I wonder why it is so restless in the car - ah forgot to put the screen up - *flip* and all is well.
Last edited by Frederick NL; 12-31-2018 at 09:44 AM.
The following users liked this post:
danaw007 (05-31-2018)
#43
Junior Member
The wind screen extends the "top down" season by 2-3 weeks in the spring and the fall. The heater blowing generates a bubble of warm air in the cockpit that is quite enjoyable. My roll bar is never raised and the screen is never removed, so the slight dents the screen's straps make in the roll bar cannot be noticed.
#44
Member
If you want your lady to go with you in the roadster you need to learn how the windscreen functions and utilize it, like JaySee56, my roll bar is never raised and screen is never removed. I can take my wife out with the top down and she won't complain about her hair at all.