SL/R231: Retractable Hardtop Question
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 83
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
2020 SL 450
Retractable Hardtop Question
All of MB's marketing info, on the internet, in print as well as in the Owner's Manuel, indicates that the retractable roof can be raised and lowered at speeds up to 25 MPH. When raising or lowering the roof on my 2020 SL 450, I get a message saying to reduce speed.....not just reduce speed, I have to come to a complete stop for the roof raise or lower. When I asked my salesman why this was the case, he said, " it is what it is." Really!? Is my car an outlier or do any of you have the same experience?
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 195
Likes: 60
From: SoCal
2020 SL550. 2018 E400S4. 2014 CLS550
Are you trying to initiate roof open/close while in motion? You have to be stopped to start the process, I think, but can then go in motion up to the 25mph limit while the roof action completes.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 293
Likes: 153
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe
Mine acts the same way. You have to be stopped to activate and then cannot exceed 25 mph while the roof is in motion. I have not personally verified the max speed.
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 195
Likes: 60
From: SoCal
2020 SL550. 2018 E400S4. 2014 CLS550
MB has a very deceptive video clip up that at one point cuts to an SL in motion with the top retracting. What it doesn’t show is that the car was at a full stop when the retract lever was pulled, THEN the driver starts going.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 293
Likes: 153
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe
The devil is in the details, i.e, “The large print giveth and the small print taketh away”.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 936
From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
This group keeps harping on tiny details like when the roof opens. Just turn up the surround sound on the stereo and enjoy the ride. Oh, wait....... 😊
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Joined: May 2002
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Likes: 3,676
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Mercedes has different systems in different cars. I can open our soft top while driving 35mph. No standstill required. Keep in mind that hard tops are heavy and have much a more complex folding mechanism (rear window-flip, opening trunk) and hydraulics require accurate alignment for them to work as advertised. Wind is the enemy here and they are playing it safe...
The smartop module is cool and quite beneficial but if a hardtop would be out alignment MB would have a case of denying warranty coverage. Just FYI
The smartop module is cool and quite beneficial but if a hardtop would be out alignment MB would have a case of denying warranty coverage. Just FYI
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,144
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I would never operate the top while the car is in motion. I don’t know this for a fact, but I feel that the top mechanism—when not locked all the way up or down—is quite fragile and I don’t want anything, like a gust of wind or a bump in the road to jostle it. Call me overprotective, but the last thing I want to chance problems with is the marvelous, retractable top. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,144
Likes: 4,365
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Thank you for bringing up THAT wonderful topic! I was driving the SL with the top up yesterday and just thought I’d try a little opera. It hurt my ears, the way Pavarotti came out of the speakers, it was so horrible. I might actually sell the car over this issue. Been thinking about it.
Last edited by Streamliner; Aug 7, 2020 at 05:30 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 171
From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
Thank you for bringing up THAT wonderful topic! I was driving the SL with the top up yesterday and just thought I’d try a little opera. It hurt my ears, the way Pavarotti came out of the speakers, it was so horrible. I might actually sell the car over this issue. Been thinking about it.
I believe the the limiting factor for speed vs top operation is probably the air brake...er, deck lid.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 293
Likes: 153
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
2019 SL450; 2023 M850i coupe
“A” types—I’ll include myself in that category—need to know what capabilities are available case we encounter a James Bond moment.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 171
From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,544
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Thank you for bringing up THAT wonderful topic! I was driving the SL with the top up yesterday and just thought I’d try a little opera. It hurt my ears, the way Pavarotti came out of the speakers, it was so horrible. I might actually sell the car over this issue. Been thinking about it.
Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 132
Likes: 44
From: Rochester NY & Naples FL
SL 400, GLC300, C300
I would never operate the top while the car is in motion. I don’t know this for a fact, but I feel that the top mechanism—when not locked all the way up or down—is quite fragile and I don’t want anything, like a gust of wind or a bump in the road to jostle it. Call me overprotective, but the last thing I want to chance problems with is the marvelous, retractable top.
I’m the same way. Why chance it?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,144
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
It’s not the money. I just cannot get behind the idea that my whole interior will be taken apart. The wheels & brakes were simple bolt-on upgrades. Making the audio system what it should have been in the first place is major surgery. In addition, there is no simple formula for the fix. Everyone (better auto sound shops) has a different idea on how to rework the system. Everyone uses different components, etc. In the end, they will probably stand behind the audio upgrade, but when the squeaks & rattles show up............NO, can’t do it. I’m going to sell the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
It’s not the money. I just cannot get behind the idea that my whole interior will be taken apart. The wheels & brakes were simple bolt-on upgrades. Making the audio system what it should have been in the first place is major surgery. In addition, there is no simple formula for the fix. Everyone (better auto sound shops) has a different idea on how to rework the system. Everyone uses different components, etc. In the end, they will probably stand behind the audio upgrade, but when the squeaks & rattles show up............NO, can’t do it. I’m going to sell the car.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,144
Likes: 4,365
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,544
Likes: 3,676
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
It’s not the money. I just cannot get behind the idea that my whole interior will be taken apart. The wheels & brakes were simple bolt-on upgrades. Making the audio system what it should have been in the first place is major surgery. In addition, there is no simple formula for the fix. Everyone (better auto sound shops) has a different idea on how to rework the system. Everyone uses different components, etc. In the end, they will probably stand behind the audio upgrade, but when the squeaks & rattles show up............NO, can’t do it. I’m going to sell the car.
The reality, of course, is that no car is perfect...
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 349
Likes: 56
From: Massachusetts
1986 560SL, 2017 E300, 2018 Sl550, 2020 E350
Streamliner,
Go back and look at my posts Re getting the rear speaker to work. Easy panel removal, no damage, no rattles.
AND
If you show an installer what was done on mine he will easily be able to replicate as all used are readily available components
AND
The sound is terrific !
I'm sooooo happy with the car (Sl550 with all options available including ABC but, no B&O) that I'm buying out the lease this month (15,000 miles and the buyout is less than dealer can buy car from MBF for so I'm really happy!)
Look again at my install posts and just do it.....you will be happy.....sound performance so much better filling up the car rather than just focused from front
Really hard to believe MB put in a rear speaker with no way to use it.....nuts but, my fix works great.
Steve
Go back and look at my posts Re getting the rear speaker to work. Easy panel removal, no damage, no rattles.
AND
If you show an installer what was done on mine he will easily be able to replicate as all used are readily available components
AND
The sound is terrific !
I'm sooooo happy with the car (Sl550 with all options available including ABC but, no B&O) that I'm buying out the lease this month (15,000 miles and the buyout is less than dealer can buy car from MBF for so I'm really happy!)
Look again at my install posts and just do it.....you will be happy.....sound performance so much better filling up the car rather than just focused from front
Really hard to believe MB put in a rear speaker with no way to use it.....nuts but, my fix works great.
Steve
Last edited by steve sl550; Aug 8, 2020 at 09:58 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Streamliner,
Go back and look at my posts Re getting the rear speaker to work. Easy panel removal, no damage, no rattles.
AND
If you show an installer what was done on mine he will easily be able to replicate as all used are readily available components
AND
The sound is terrific !
I'm sooooo happy with the car (Sl550 with all options available including ABC but, no B&O) that I'm buying out the lease this month (15,000 miles and the buyout is less than dealer can buy car from MBF for so I'm really happy!)
Look again at my install posts and just do it.....you will be happy.....sound performance so much better filling up the car rather than just focused from front
Really hard to believe MB put in a rear speaker with no way to use it.....nuts but, my fix works great.
Steve
Go back and look at my posts Re getting the rear speaker to work. Easy panel removal, no damage, no rattles.
AND
If you show an installer what was done on mine he will easily be able to replicate as all used are readily available components
AND
The sound is terrific !
I'm sooooo happy with the car (Sl550 with all options available including ABC but, no B&O) that I'm buying out the lease this month (15,000 miles and the buyout is less than dealer can buy car from MBF for so I'm really happy!)
Look again at my install posts and just do it.....you will be happy.....sound performance so much better filling up the car rather than just focused from front
Really hard to believe MB put in a rear speaker with no way to use it.....nuts but, my fix works great.
Steve
