SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Lost plastic hinge cover for the roof mechanism on my SL

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Old May 21, 2016 | 12:35 AM
  #51  
Heatwave's Avatar
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2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
Do you offer the kit in beige ... for '07 R230?
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Old May 21, 2016 | 04:02 PM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by tsmsgm
Same happen to me in June and its an eye sore when the top is down. Can you please send me your DIY to remedy this issue - Thanks! Dan
Check out on EBAY this repair kit:

SPANGLER REPAIR KIT for MERCEDES-BENZ R230 SL REAR EDGE COVER TRIM PANEL FLAP
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Old May 21, 2016 | 04:05 PM
  #53  
Jerry Spangler's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Heatwave
Do you offer the kit in beige ... for '07 R230?
If you still have small cover then:

SPANGLER REPAIR KIT for MERCEDES-BENZ R230 SL REAR EDGE COVER TRIM PANEL FLAP

Sold on EBAY will reconnect your small cover.

I am currently working on a replacement cover for those that have lost theirs.
Jerry Spangler
JMcSpangler@hotmail.com
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Old May 22, 2016 | 01:32 AM
  #54  
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I have my cover, what do I get if I buy the kit?
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Old Jun 21, 2016 | 11:05 AM
  #55  
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r230
Spangler repair con

What a con, paid £45 + $10 shipping (cost $2 to ship) for this patented repair. It consists of two thin bits of rubber (1 for each flap) and some double sided tape. Pretty much exactly what I have fitted to my car at the moment except that I used duct tape folded over on itself and some double sided tape, cost, about 10p.

This is the biggest con I have bought on Ebay, trying to get a refund now. I have attached a picture so you know exactly what you are buying as there is no picture or description of exactly what you are getting on his Ebay advert.

Lost plastic hinge cover for the roof mechanism on my SL-unnamed_1.jpg

No sign of the patent can be found.
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Old Jun 21, 2016 | 07:24 PM
  #56  
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sl class r230
Spangler repair kit

I bought the kit and it works great. This kit has saved me hundreds of dollars that it would have cost to buy a "used" part per side. I put my top up and down almost daily and no problem. The kit continues working without an issue.

I installed the kit myself. I read the directions and used alcohol to thoroughly clean the original MB plastic parts the kit attached to. No problem.

A product should be judged by its utility, and not disparaged because it is an ingenious, simple fix. The paper clip was also a simple invention, but had great utility.

By the way, I see the patent pending number on both the ad and the directions that came with my kit. Just so you know, patent pending files are not made public. When the permanent patent is issued, the files are made public.
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Old Jun 21, 2016 | 08:22 PM
  #57  
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2003 SL500, 2016 CLA250
I was one of the first to buy the kit. It's been working perfectly for several months. If you follow Jerry's instructions, clean before you install, it works. Like blueorchid, it has saved me money.
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Old Jun 21, 2016 | 08:49 PM
  #58  
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2011 E550 Coupe, 1992 Corvette ZR-1, 1991 368ci ZR-1, 1990 ZR-1, 1987 Callaway TT, 05 SL600, CLA45
I bought it, about **** when I opened it...but it works, so I give him credit for doing the research. pleased with the outcome
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Old Jun 21, 2016 | 11:20 PM
  #59  
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You can't fault someone for making a profit on a simple idea. It's capitalism at work. I have a broken flap on my "new" SL. The spring is gone, and I have some duct tape on it to keep it from flying off on the highway. I'll eventually fashions a permanent repair. Stay tuned.
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Old Jun 22, 2016 | 02:34 AM
  #60  
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03SL55
Originally Posted by jaguartvr
What a con, paid £45 + $10 shipping (cost $2 to ship) for this patented repair. It consists of two thin bits of rubber (1 for each flap) and some double sided tape. Pretty much exactly what I have fitted to my car at the moment except that I used duct tape folded over on itself and some double sided tape, cost, about 10p.

This is the biggest con I have bought on Ebay, trying to get a refund now. I have attached a picture so you know exactly what you are buying as there is no picture or description of exactly what you are getting on his Ebay advert.



No sign of the patent can be found.
How does this reconnect anything
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Old Jun 22, 2016 | 03:45 AM
  #61  
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r230
Spangler Flap repair

It's a cheap bodge or should I say an expensive bodge. I posted the picture because it was not posted on his Ebay advert. He has now however added a picture of what you are actually buying so it is up to each individual to decide if it is worth $65 + shipping. I will be sticking (no pun intended) to my duct tape repair. On the other MB forum a member is complaining that this "bodge" failed in 2 days and won't refund.
I just wanted to point out exactly what your hard earned money was buying.

Most posters on car forums do so to help other members, found a useful workaround or top tip then people normally post it up for the benefit of other forum members.
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Old Jun 22, 2016 | 01:41 PM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by jaguartvr
It's a cheap bodge or should I say an expensive bodge. I posted the picture because it was not posted on his Ebay advert. He has now however added a picture of what you are actually buying so it is up to each individual to decide if it is worth $65 + shipping. I will be sticking (no pun intended) to my duct tape repair. On the other MB forum a member is complaining that this "bodge" failed in 2 days and won't refund.
I just wanted to point out exactly what your hard earned money was buying.

Most posters on car forums do so to help other members, found a useful workaround or top tip then people normally post it up for the benefit of other forum members.

I did not direct the question to you, although it seems so, but to the people posting how it helped them fix the issue. I just dont see it fixing the problem and an easy profit to the seller.

blueorchid, your full of it.
Rudeney, you probably worked for Lehman.
arenaej, show us exactly what it did for your broken flap.
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Old Jun 22, 2016 | 02:13 PM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by kustom2k1
Rudeney, you probably worked for Lehman.
No, even worse - MERCEDES-BENZ!
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Old Sep 10, 2017 | 08:07 AM
  #64  
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Spangler kit ordered. Glad I found this old thread!
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Old Sep 11, 2017 | 11:13 PM
  #65  
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I replaced my Gorilla tape with a band of elastic. I used rivets to attach the elastic to the panel and the flap. It keeps it both attached and pulled down flat.
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Old Oct 26, 2017 | 11:31 PM
  #66  
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2003 SL55
Question, Had my SL55 for a couple of weeks now and noticed these flaps were missing. I thought it was supposed to be like that. Doesn't really bother me too much. What are the chances these have falling off and are down in a side panel somewhere or are the more than likely "gone with the wind" and in a ditch somewhere?
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Old Oct 27, 2017 | 10:06 PM
  #67  
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They are larger than the holes, so almost certainly lost on the road.
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Old Oct 28, 2017 | 02:28 AM
  #68  
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r230 2003
I made a piece in a 3D printer to fix the problem.

Originally Posted by biophase
I get home yesterday and I'm missing a small rectangular flap on the back of my SL500. It's a small plastic hinge that covers the roof opening hinge when the top is down making the entire back look smooth. It looks like the plastic hinge was held on by 3 small plastic parts and that they broke up. The part must have flown off while I was driving down the highway.

Anyone have this happen before?
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Old Sep 21, 2020 | 01:18 AM
  #69  
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Originally Posted by Anders Lindgren
I need one do you sell
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Old Dec 6, 2020 | 01:08 AM
  #70  
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R230 55
Easy and cheap Repair kit

Originally Posted by biophase
I get home yesterday and I'm missing a small rectangular flap on the back of my SL500. It's a small plastic hinge that covers the roof opening hinge when the top is down making the entire back look smooth. It looks like the plastic hinge was held on by 3 small plastic parts and that they broke up. The part must have flown off while I was driving down the highway.

Anyone have this happen before?
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