SL/R230: R230, a lot quieter than R129??
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
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From: California
2014 C250 sport
R230, a lot quieter than R129??
In my grandmas 2001 SL500, although I have never gone long distances in it, has a lot of wind noise with the soft top in place, even while cruising in town at 45 mph(well, depending on how much wind)....and even with the hardtop on, there is still quite a bit of rustle from the side windows(Mercedes should had improved the seals long before the R129 hit 12 years)...and she is gonna get the R230 when my grandpa decides its time
...does the R230 have a lot of wind noise too?? To all you R230 owners out there, how would you rate the amount of wind noise??how about road noise?? hopefully, its a better car to travel in than the R129...thanks!!!
...does the R230 have a lot of wind noise too?? To all you R230 owners out there, how would you rate the amount of wind noise??how about road noise?? hopefully, its a better car to travel in than the R129...thanks!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
It would seem to me that the windows on you R129 need to be adjusted by the dealer to better seal with the hard top and the soft top.
My driver side was very noisy with the window / soft top seal. I complained to the MB Dealer and it was adjusted to be quite acceptable.
Wind noise with the hard top isnon existent in the R129.
Good for them if they want a R230 though.
My driver side was very noisy with the window / soft top seal. I complained to the MB Dealer and it was adjusted to be quite acceptable.
Wind noise with the hard top isnon existent in the R129.
Good for them if they want a R230 though.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
The R230 is more quiet that the R129 (much more with the softtop and a tad more with the hardtop, due to some wind noise). What you will hear more instead are trunk noises (for example items moving around in your trunk or the much complained about gas tank issue)
While the R129 did already improve the seals by using the window closing mechansim (don't know exactly how it is called; it's that 1/4" rise of the window after the door is closed), the R230 with the 4 window mechanism seems to do a better job.
I agree with Chris B that there may be an issue with either the window mechanism or the alignment of the softtop itself.
Noise like that when driving the R129 with the softtop up never did bother me though, it was just part of the package when driving a roadster...
Wolfman
While the R129 did already improve the seals by using the window closing mechansim (don't know exactly how it is called; it's that 1/4" rise of the window after the door is closed), the R230 with the 4 window mechanism seems to do a better job.
I agree with Chris B that there may be an issue with either the window mechanism or the alignment of the softtop itself.
Noise like that when driving the R129 with the softtop up never did bother me though, it was just part of the package when driving a roadster...
Wolfman
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Joined: May 2004
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From: So Cal
04 SL 500, 09 R350, 09 E63, 2010 Prius
I don't own the older SL. But I do have an 04 SL 500. The interior noise is comparable to my girlfriend's E class sedan. After I had the windows tinted, the windnoise went up I think because the installer had to take the door apart to tint the window due to the automatic window roll down when you open the door. Whatever they did, there was like an airleak but brought it back to MB and they replaced the insulation stripping and the wind noise went away. I was surprised the first time I was in the SL 500 that it was that quiet. I remember the first time I drove a BMW 325 convertible and the soft top noise was horrible... stereo was not very audible due to the noise. If you want ultraquiet though... Lexus LS sedans. Can hear a pin drop in there!
