SL/R230: Is the windscreen worth having?
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 451
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2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
Is the windscreen worth having?
I do not have the behind-the-seats windscreen unit for my '07 SL550. Is the windscreen worth acquiring? Is it durable? Anybody here use the screen? What say ye?
Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 127
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From: Fl
2017 S550 cabriolet 2007 SL550 , 2012 C300
I have an 07 sl550 also with the wind screen personally I don't care for it you can't see that well through it. It does work well to stop the wind and the only time I use it is when my wife is in the car. (Her hair) hope it helps for what it's worth
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 2
03' SL55
I owned a 00' SLK230 and the mesh windscreen was absolutely required. I then bought an 05' SLK350 and again the plexiglass windscreen was one of the best purchases I could make. The girlfriend was also very thankful as she didn't have to keep messing with her hair.
Just picked up an 03' SL55 and to OUR surprise the windscreen is almost useless. I didn't believe it at first but we have done many highway tests with the screen up and down and I would say there is a 10% difference at best. I took my windscreen off for good and she has not complained once.
Just picked up an 03' SL55 and to OUR surprise the windscreen is almost useless. I didn't believe it at first but we have done many highway tests with the screen up and down and I would say there is a 10% difference at best. I took my windscreen off for good and she has not complained once.
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 193
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From: Denver
2014 CLS550 4Matic; 2010 E550, 2007 SL550
I just completed an 800 mile roundtrip, top down and 85mph for most of the way, and I find the windscreen to be worth its weight in gold.
With the windows up and windscreen up, it was quieter than my Z4 was with the top up.
With the windows up and windscreen up, it was quieter than my Z4 was with the top up.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
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From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
For those thinking the windscreen doesn't do anything on the SL, this is only true if you raise the roll bar up and use that to get the windscreen up. This is the wrong way to go about it as it doesnt deploy the bottom part of the screen. You have to manually lift the screen up when you want to use it. It also has terrible visibility if you use the rollbar method to raise it (which again makes it work poorly), but great visibility if you do it the proper way and raise it manually with your hand. You can also roll up the rear windows in the car by pushing window up (not all the way to the 2nd click for the auto up, just to the first click to move it up). With all 4 windows up and the screen up, there is virtually non wind inside the cabin and small amounts up top. I'm 6'5" and can still feel a small amount on the top, but if I hunch down a couple inches to that of a normal human, I can't feel much at all. I'd highly recommend one for both wind control for highway driving, and for temperature control when driving in cooler weather. It took my awhile to figure out both the manual raising being necessary and the how to roll up the rear windows trick lol
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 193
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From: Denver
2014 CLS550 4Matic; 2010 E550, 2007 SL550
My wife is very short and can't reach the screen from the driver's seat. She raises the rollbar about 2/3 of the way, pulls the screen forward, then puts the bar back down.
Reverse to but the windscreen down.
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 103
Likes: 7
From: South Australia
2004 (MY05) SL55
I also took a little while to work out that the screen really only works properly pulled up without the roll bar deployed. Before that I thought it was pretty useless.
In my opinion it's a must have. On a cold day with all of the windows up, heater cranked and the screen pulled up it's really enjoyable.
In my opinion it's a must have. On a cold day with all of the windows up, heater cranked and the screen pulled up it's really enjoyable.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 992
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From: Tucson, AZ
'20 X5 M50i; '17 Ram 3500; Golf Cart; Bikes; Scooters
Yes to windscreen.
To follow up on the previous posts...a MUST HAVE.
I don't ever lift the roll bar...ruins the cars' lines and the wind block effectiveness.
We drive on 32 degree days (it's Denver!) to the mountains, top down, windows up, blocker up, seat heaters on, for hours. Without the blocker it would be top up.
Vision is only a problem if you leave the blocker up when top up.
I don't ever lift the roll bar...ruins the cars' lines and the wind block effectiveness.
We drive on 32 degree days (it's Denver!) to the mountains, top down, windows up, blocker up, seat heaters on, for hours. Without the blocker it would be top up.
Vision is only a problem if you leave the blocker up when top up.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 185
Likes: 3
From: Norway
SL 55 and a GT 3000 vr4 Here's my car: http://home.online.no/~ludvs/index.cfm
Only minus I see is IF the roll bar gets deployed by the car, under for example hard driving at a race track.
The wind deflector will probably hit your head, so do keep it in the raised position when doing so or remove it.
The wind deflector will probably hit your head, so do keep it in the raised position when doing so or remove it.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 6
From: Central Mass
2003 SL500, 2016 F250, 2017 Jeep Renegade
I have one in my SL, dont really matter much cruising back roads but when on the highway works awesome, but as a previous poster said, tough to see through.
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 4
From: Denver
2014 CLS550 4Matic; 2010 E550, 2007 SL550
That said, some have reported damage to the rollbar mechanism from emergency deployment (internals getting bent). If you are planning on driving sportily, it may be smart to just manually raise the roll bar at the start.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2007 SL550
Also have an 07 SL550 with the wind screen. Personally I see it as a must have. Without it the wind whipping in the back can be a little disruptive depending on temp etc....
What I don't understand is that they couldn't figure out how to make it so it covers the back while the roll bar is up. In order for it to be completely effective you need to have the roll bar down. I remember when I bought the car and was putting the wind screen on, I kept thinking I was installing it incorrectly. I guess you either put up with the wind tunneling in the back or count on the automatic deployment of the roll bar if you get in trouble.
My old 98 R129 windscreen was configured so it worked when the roll bar was up. Not sure why they couldn't do that with the 07 R230.
Either way, You still want it.
What I don't understand is that they couldn't figure out how to make it so it covers the back while the roll bar is up. In order for it to be completely effective you need to have the roll bar down. I remember when I bought the car and was putting the wind screen on, I kept thinking I was installing it incorrectly. I guess you either put up with the wind tunneling in the back or count on the automatic deployment of the roll bar if you get in trouble.
My old 98 R129 windscreen was configured so it worked when the roll bar was up. Not sure why they couldn't do that with the 07 R230.
Either way, You still want it.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 6
From: Central Mass
2003 SL500, 2016 F250, 2017 Jeep Renegade
Think you guys may be mounting windscreen wrong??? Mine goes up when I Manually Lift Roll Bar with Button. I have to fold the screen down if I dont want to use it when Bar is up. I will post pictures when I can.
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 4
From: Denver
2014 CLS550 4Matic; 2010 E550, 2007 SL550
Don't think so, Bob. Please post pics, I'd love to see how yours is mounted.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 884
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From: U.K.
sl600
The screen is great for long trips on the highway windows up and screen up, you hardly get any buffeting in the cabin. I had mine at 175mph with the top down and no issues. It was on a track by the way.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Atlanta, GA
SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550
Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
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sl500
I have a windscreen for my 2003 SL500. It is just like the roll bar. STUPID !!!! Looks STUPID & makes the car look like it came out of the 80's. If I thought someone would actually want it I would sell it. Hell I would sell the stupid looking roll bar if it wasn't such a pain to get out.
