SL/R231: I damaged the vario roof
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 18
From: vero beach, FL
2014 SL 550
I damaged the vario roof
I started to put the top down, forgetting that my sunshield for the front windshield was on the back deck. Roof started to come down and then stopped I closed it and tried again several times before realizing the error. The sunscreen jammed the roof mechanism preventing it from opening. So, now some of the frame parts are apparently bent. When I open the roof, I have to guide it by hand, as the flaps don't work properly. Worse, when closing it, the roof doesn't line up with where it attaches at the top of the windshield frame. I took it to my indy and he got it closed properly but it still doesn't work properly. I took it to the local Mercedes dealership and showed the service advisor the problem. He said it was an issue for their body shop. I took it there and was told it was a service department issue. Not sure whose issue it is but I'm pretty sure the only solution is a new vario roof. Not sure how many thousands that will be but probably a bunch. Suggestions welcome as to solution and cost. Has anyone actually replaced a vario roof on a 231?
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From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
I started to put the top down, forgetting that my sunshield for the front windshield was on the back deck. Roof started to come down and then stopped I closed it and tried again several times before realizing the error. The sunscreen jammed the roof mechanism preventing it from opening. So, now some of the frame parts are apparently bent. When I open the roof, I have to guide it by hand, as the flaps don't work properly. Worse, when closing it, the roof doesn't line up with where it attaches at the top of the windshield frame. I took it to my indy and he got it closed properly but it still doesn't work properly. I took it to the local Mercedes dealership and showed the service advisor the problem. He said it was an issue for their body shop. I took it there and was told it was a service department issue. Not sure whose issue it is but I'm pretty sure the only solution is a new vario roof. Not sure how many thousands that will be but probably a bunch. Suggestions welcome as to solution and cost. Has anyone actually replaced a vario roof on a 231?
Sorry, incompetence these days is not limited to fast food industry 🙁
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 18
From: vero beach, FL
2014 SL 550
Thanks for the reply. I don't have any pictures because once I got it closed, I didn't want to even attempt opening it again. Other dealership a good idea. I'll give that a try. The other thought I had, if it's a body shop issue, there's one here in Vero Beach that does a lot of restoration work. I've seen Bentley's in there on numerous occasions and that may be an option. Stay tuned.
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From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Thanks for the reply. I don't have any pictures because once I got it closed, I didn't want to even attempt opening it again. Other dealership a good idea. I'll give that a try. The other thought I had, if it's a body shop issue, there's one here in Vero Beach that does a lot of restoration work. I've seen Bentley's in there on numerous occasions and that may be an option. Stay tuned.
That Vario roof has literally hundreds of parts. Chances are you tweaked a few parts. Not the whole roof needing replacement. It's not like you drove into something with the roof open. The fact that you were able to close it is hopeful. This is a mechanical issue until/if you have to replace a painted part. And you may actually be able to order the part pre-painted.
Many dealerships outsource their body work. You could try to find out who they are and deal with them directly.
The vario roof is tricky to work on because you need a fixture to hold the roof in position while you do major repairs on it. That would probably be the mechanical side of things.( ie service dept) The Dealer SHOULD have a fixture for this, though one can be fabricated. It may be a job that has to be coordinated between both body and mechanical shops. It's hard to tell over the internet and without pics. One thing the independent shop can do is find used parts that could swapped out. Parts supply availability being what it is, you may get a more timely repair and save some money going that route...
One things for sure, I would let them tell you what you need and negotiate from there.
DON'T tell them you need the Vario roof replaced.
This may help understand what you're dealing with:
Last edited by crconsulting; Mar 21, 2022 at 06:19 PM.
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Just curious, but I would check with my insurance company and see if by chance they would cover the repair. I have been surprised by what they (or at least mine) will cover.
Once when I was changing wiper blades on one of my cars, the arm slipped from my hand and hit the windshield, cracking it. They covered replacing the windshield. Another time, we had a strong rain storm and the next day another car I had wouldn't start or stay running. Then it wouldn't shut off unless I disconnected the battery or pulled the fuel injector fuse. The carpet was soaking wet under the floor mats and there was water puddled under the carpet. They totaled the car as flood damaged. Worth a phone call.
Once when I was changing wiper blades on one of my cars, the arm slipped from my hand and hit the windshield, cracking it. They covered replacing the windshield. Another time, we had a strong rain storm and the next day another car I had wouldn't start or stay running. Then it wouldn't shut off unless I disconnected the battery or pulled the fuel injector fuse. The carpet was soaking wet under the floor mats and there was water puddled under the carpet. They totaled the car as flood damaged. Worth a phone call.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 113
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From: vero beach, FL
2014 SL 550
I wrote a negative Google Review about my experience at the dealership yesterday re the service vs body shop confusion. Anyway, a little later in the day I got a call from the Service Department Manager (SM) apologizing and asking me to bring the car back to see if they could make things right. I took it in this morning met the SM and a mechanic who looked over the roof. I was told that they'd to a more thorough exam and give me a determination and an estimate. I said I'd have to make an appointment for a later date as I had no way to get home. The SM set me up with a loaner at no charge and told me they'd give me employee discount on the repair. So, I'm driving a new GLC300 while I wait for the diagnosis. I have to admit, at this point, I'm pretty impressed with the dealership and will be writing a follow up Google Review when the saga ends. Fingers crossed on where this goes.
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Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I wrote a negative Google Review about my experience at the dealership yesterday re the service vs body shop confusion. Anyway, a little later in the day I got a call from the Service Department Manager (SM) apologizing and asking me to bring the car back to see if they could make things right. I took it in this morning met the SM and a mechanic who looked over the roof. I was told that they'd to a more thorough exam and give me a determination and an estimate. I said I'd have to make an appointment for a later date as I had no way to get home. The SM set me up with a loaner at no charge and told me they'd give me employee discount on the repair. So, I'm driving a new GLC300 while I wait for the diagnosis. I have to admit, at this point, I'm pretty impressed with the dealership and will be writing a follow up Google Review when the saga ends. Fingers crossed on where this goes.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 18
From: vero beach, FL
2014 SL 550
OK, so here's the final on the dealership. They called me yesterday afternoon and said the roof had to be replaced. They couldn't just fix the bent part of the frame because they only sell complete roofs. Cost would be $22K and change. They also told the little rubber piece on top of the gear shift came off so the gear shift had to be replaced...for $607. Anybody here think I should look for another estimate elsewhere?
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From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Utter nonsense…
Some of parts may be discontinued, but pillar panels, top panel and latches are available. Do you have the Magic Sky option?
https://www.mboemparts.com/v-2014-me...and-components
Did they tell you which parts are bent?
They’ve given you no choice. They’re either not interested, or don’t have the experience in doing this repair.
There are a few members here from Florida. Maybe someone can recommend another dealership or repair shop….
Good Luck.
Some of parts may be discontinued, but pillar panels, top panel and latches are available. Do you have the Magic Sky option?
https://www.mboemparts.com/v-2014-me...and-components
Did they tell you which parts are bent?
They’ve given you no choice. They’re either not interested, or don’t have the experience in doing this repair.
There are a few members here from Florida. Maybe someone can recommend another dealership or repair shop….
Good Luck.
Last edited by crconsulting; Mar 18, 2022 at 10:54 AM.
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
Geez, $22K is probably 50% of the wholesale value of the entire car. I hope you can find another option to get your roof repaired. Your experience is a real learning experience for all SL owners. I am truly sorry for you and I hope you can find a way to repair the damage for a reasonable cost.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Dealers by design replace these only under warranty and then they just swap the whole roof assembly. This is a task for an Indie.
Unfortunately nobody here can provide you with any reasonable input unless you post detailed pictures of the actual damage. Until then there can be no feedback wether this is a $200 fix or a whole roof swap.
Unfortunately nobody here can provide you with any reasonable input unless you post detailed pictures of the actual damage. Until then there can be no feedback wether this is a $200 fix or a whole roof swap.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 697
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From: Illinois
S560/SL550/LS460/Q70L 5.6 AWD
I had one of my LS460 hit in the back last year, took the car to a certified Lexus body shop in Chicago (they are certified for Lexus and Mercedes) they did a fantastic job. I would try to find one of these close to you (apparently there are a lot of these in Florida) and see what's their opinion, this may not be a dealership body shop repair....just my .02
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 18
From: vero beach, FL
2014 SL 550
I don't have Magic Sky. They did not tell me what parts were bent but I know the main problem is the back deck cover. When opening the roof, it does not work properly.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 113
Likes: 18
From: vero beach, FL
2014 SL 550
I had one of my LS460 hit in the back last year, took the car to a certified Lexus body shop in Chicago (they are certified for Lexus and Mercedes) they did a fantastic job. I would try to find one of these close to you (apparently there are a lot of these in Florida) and see what's their opinion, this may not be a dealership body shop repair....just my .02
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Joined: Feb 2021
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From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
sounds like you may have bent the flaps or tweaked the rear deck cover. New parts availability being what it is, the quickest repair may be used parts. Especially for relatively low wear item like those flaps or rear cover. I have a car I’m working on where I was given a DEC ‘22 date for some parts I need 😟
Theres no shortage of parts availability on the used market for that top though:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...+top&_osacat=0
example Deck Cover
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30352218674...cAAOSwDXlhM04s
example Flaps
https://www.ebay.com/itm/11489407112...kAAOSw7PZg8YTq
You need a diagnosis of what is actually tweaked.
Last edited by crconsulting; Mar 19, 2022 at 04:15 PM.
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Posts: 1,481
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95 SL600
I wrote a negative Google Review about my experience at the dealership yesterday re the service vs body shop confusion. Anyway, a little later in the day I got a call from the Service Department Manager (SM) apologizing and asking me to bring the car back to see if they could make things right. I took it in this morning met the SM and a mechanic who looked over the roof. I was told that they'd to a more thorough exam and give me a determination and an estimate. I said I'd have to make an appointment for a later date as I had no way to get home. The SM set me up with a loaner at no charge and told me they'd give me employee discount on the repair. So, I'm driving a new GLC300 while I wait for the diagnosis. I have to admit, at this point, I'm pretty impressed with the dealership and will be writing a follow up Google Review when the saga ends. Fingers crossed on where this goes.
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,636
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From: Hagerstown MD
2015 SL400; 2019 X5M40i
I'm happy that you are receiving a response that you should have been offered at your first visit. It's sad and pathetic that a Mercedes dealer had to receive a negative Google review to motivate them to do what they should have done at your first visit. Good luck getting your car repaired at a reasonable cost.
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
