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I'm new to the forum. I don't know why it took me so long to get started since I have three MBs. I have a very obscure question that I have not been able to find an answer for. I own a 2017 SL450. At the drivers side of the dashboard in front of the base of the windshield right above the VIN window in the interior of the automobile is about a 4 to 5 inch strip of exposed foam that the driver can see between the space of the dashboard and the window. That is the only place you can see it and it's independent of any other foam or weather strip. It's glued to the windshield and looks like an afterthought. Does anyone know why that's there and why MB installed that. I removed the one in my car because I couldn't stand looking at it. Nothing seems to have changed since I removed it. I do notice there is more space between the dash on drivers side then passenger side at interior windshield base.
I asked the Dealer Service Department, they don't know. I called Mercedes Benz North America noone got back to me. I'm wondering if I should glue it back in. The only thing I can think of is it prevents the plastic on the dash from rattling against the windshield but the space is too big to allow that to happen. I wonder if there is something down below like an electrical connection that might have been getting wet if someone sprays the interior of the windshield like windex or something. I looked at every SL from 2013 up at the dealer, 550s, 450s 63s and every one of them has it. Does anyone have any idea why that's there?
The only thing I can think of is people complained or the Factory decided it didn't look good to see the window in the glass for the VIN so they covered it up. I happen to think the foam strip looks worse. It's unbelievable to me that I can't get an answer for this. But there's a lot of things lately that are unbelievable. (wink) I'm going to keep it out until I get a reason to glue it back in.
You can take a bright flashlight and shine it down there and see that the foam strip actually goes across the whole bottom of the windshield from one side to the other. I believe that piece was made separate to shove in there where it’s still insulates the windshield from rattles and wind noise but it’s not as wide as the rest of the strip so that the Vin number is not covered.
You can take a bright flashlight and shine it down there and see that the foam strip actually goes across the whole bottom of the windshield from one side to the other. I believe that piece was made separate to shove in there where it’s still insulates the windshield from rattles and wind noise but it’s not as wide as the rest of the strip so that the Vin number is not covered.
I just checked my 2018 SL550 and find a grey (almost black) foam seal all along the bottom of the windshield (L to R) inside the car between the windshield and dash BUT, there is an extra piece of this foam in the area of the VIN window.
Looks to me like the extra piece inside just above the VIN window is to prevent light from coming into the dash from the opening for the VIN window.
I just checked my 2018 SL550 and find a grey (almost black) foam seal all along the bottom of the windshield (L to R) inside the car between the windshield and dash BUT, there is an extra piece of this foam in the area of the VIN window.
Looks to me like the extra piece inside just above the VIN window is to prevent light from coming into the dash from the opening for the VIN window.
I think you may be correct. First of all this car I bought if I had purchased it new it would have cost in the low to mid 90s with a discount from the Dealer. You mean to tell me they could not manufacture a dashboard or design what's under the dash so that there is a consistent space between the dash and the glass. It's obvious there is a wider space there on the drivers side. If there wasn't there would be no need for that foam to keep out light from the VIN window. I am convinced this was an afterthought. They built the car and the first one test driven starting in what 2012 or 13 someone saw the issue and recommended a foam strip to stick in there. I removed mine because it's distracting and hideous. I don't see much of anything but the window when I'm in the car. It's not as bad as that foam. These are PHD and Master Degree Automotive Engineers that glued a piece of foam on the glass. If you look at the parts list and picture of the windshield they show a small spacer not a 4 inch strip of foam. When I removed the piece it was spot glued on to the black part of the glass. That foam is glued on to the glass before the windshield goes in the car I bet. I tried reinstalling and I failed. I need a Permatex type product or a clear silicone. Or better yet leave it out. I find the little things much more annoying with cars.
I have a 1986 190e 2.3 in pristine condition. The VIN window in that car was painted with the exterior body color so you see nothing through the window. There is a plate with the VIN stamped on it attached to the driver side interior A pillar.
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