How well does the rear wind deflector work?
 

I just purchased a 2004 SL600; it doesn't have the rear wind screen, and I was wondering if it makes much difference in the amount of wind buffeting and whether the roll bar can be lowered with it in place. Thanks.

It does make a little difference. Wife and I do noticed less wind buffeting and the quality of the radio will be a little better. The roll bar can be lowered with the windscreen on.

But the damage that might occur while taking off the windscreen is not worth it. It also damages the roll bar if it is on for a long time. The nylon straps will cut into the roll bar.

Thanks for the quick response; that's just what I was wondering, sounds like it's not worth the expense and problems; besides, it's already quieter and less turbulent with the top down then my c5 corvette was.

I agree with everything Tiggerfink is saying except I felt no difference as opposed to a little difference.

I have had 3 SL's since they came out in 2003 and not one of them ever had a windscreen that touched my car.

Very rare to see an newer R230 SL with the roll bar up and a windscreen attached.

Now if you want to talk about what makes a difference it is the windows. There is far less wind with all four windows up.

Yes. But how dorky that looks ;)

I keep the rollbar up when the top is down.
With that, the screen is on.

I've had my SL600 a month, and the windscreen has never been OFF the rollbar...when the bar is up, the screen is on.

Rearward visibility suffers immensely, I might add.

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.

Could see alittle difference in passengers with long hair, but I could not really tell much of a difference. As Lovin says, it's really the windows up that cuts down on the turbulence...but it is very minor relative to other convertibles I have driven.

Try driving with the screen up on a 40-degree day; you will definitely notice a difference with the screen up. At speeds of 80mphs on the interstate, it does make a difference. But the risk of damage is not worth it.

On an 03' I would list wind noise and reduction as follows:

Front and Rear Windows down, wind screen down 0%
Front Windows UP all the rest down 60%
Front and Rear windows up, screen down 75%
Front and Rear windows up, screen up 90%

I only use the screen with the roll bar down. With it up, you have double screening and no rear vission and reduced air diversion.

IMO I would say the screen is a good investment never remove mine from the car. On the open highway at 100 plus, conversation and lifestyle is unaffected with use of windows and screen up. One thing I do notice is that on a hot day with the windows all up, the car is cooler with the windscreen down when the AC is on.

Glenn B

thanks
 

this is why i lov to read these forums. with all the windows up, and the screen only, the air turbulence is nil. i had not thought of not using the wind screen without the roll bar. i had not thought of raising the rear windows. my wife had. but she is much happier with the rear visibility keeping the roll bar down.

I have just purchased a 2004 350SL and I am looking to add a wind deflector for the brilliant summer that we are going to have this year!
Any members looking to sell theirs?

In the cooler North West air it is a must have.

Found mine on ebay.

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?

No, you are right.

The back windows are controlled by the roof.

On my 03 SL the rear windows are controlled by the same switch as the door windows - they can be lowered with the top up by first lowering the door window and then activating the window switch again. And can be raised with the top down by first raising the door window and then activating the switch again.

kevinl30
 

Yes my 04 SL is also controlled by the same swith as the windows!

Wow, I have never tried that (or bothered to look it up in the owners manual). My car is in a deep sleep at my summer home waiting for the melt, some time in March or April. As a big fan of the wind deflector, I did think that the gap seems short sighted by the designers. My 2001 SL had less buffeting but with the back windows up maybe not.

Thanks 4thSL... yeah, I am guilty as charged for not reading the manual either... Just had the windows tinted couple days ago and was told to leave windows up for 4-5 days ... so I will install the windscreen and try that rear window option this weekend.

It makes a big difference. If you want your hair to look good at your destination. LOL

Wind Screens
 

I am currently loooking for an SL 2005 to 2008 to buy - I thought the wind screens came standard on the SL's 500 and 550. Can someone point me to the right forum to look for SL's? Thanks

I believe that they did.Indeed most people buying an SL For 60k plus would have specked their vehicle with a Wind deflector!The problem is that many people stored them in their garage and when they sold the car didn't include it in the deal.That is why there are so many
for sale on e-bay from former owners of SL vehicles.

Wind screen came with my new 06 SL500, but wasn't listed in the window sticker. Never installed it until 2012 - looks cool, works OK.

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.