When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
A few weeks ago, I reached out to the MBWorld community to see if anyone had found a bike rack that would fit my new SL 63 (R232). I got a few links to the older body style, which I already had, but it would not fit the new SL, mainly because there is no defined rear bumper lip for the rack to rest on.
So I set out on a quest. I reached out to all the major bike rack brands, but nobody would claim to have a rack to fit the 2022+ SL models. I even reached out to Mercedes and Porsche, but most gave the look you are probably having right now that says, "Why the h*** would you want to carry a mountain bike on that beautiful roadster?" Well, I enjoy getting away on Saturday for a nice drive in my roadster, but also like some scenic exercise along with my excursions. Great therapy and stress relief.
So, I took a chance and ordered one that had the best chance of fitting on Amazon. Making this work as a solid bike rack would be my new project. I am happy to report that this can indeed be done with some very necessary enhancements. Here are a few photos to give you an idea of how I made it work.
Last edited by JimWilder; May 19, 2025 at 02:23 PM.
I have seen MANY MANY folks melt their tires with very similar setups. Carbon wheels? Yeah, they will 'melt" too. Plus, be aware that your 55lbs bike is at the end of a virtual lever that is bouncing while being held on to aluminum panels. I would NOT NOT NOT do that to any of my vehicles....
I've seen these before, I just always wondered about how long the suction would last. I don't know if suction cups holding my bike going 80mph down the highway is instilling confidence in me.
I have seen SeaSuckers damage paint, panels and glass. You would need to make sure there were no contaminants on the suction cup or on the paint before you stick it to the car. A friend keeps a bottle of "Mothers Instant Detail" to clean both before he applies...and has scratches. One guy had his glass roof blow out of his car sending his bike flying down a highway (I think he was in GA at the time).
I've seen these before, I just always wondered about how long the suction would last. I don't know if suction cups holding my bike going 80mph down the highway is instilling confidence in me.
I get it.
As with most bike racks, installation (on a clean surface is) the key. It’s a well tested product throughout the cycling community. Have several friends who entrust their $12k bikes all the time on them. These are great for traveling with your bike too.
I have seen SeaSuckers damage paint, panels and glass. You would need to make sure there were no contaminants on the suction cup or on the paint before you stick it to the car. A friend keeps a bottle of "Mothers Instant Detail" to clean both before he applies...and has scratches. One guy had his glass roof blow out of his car sending his bike flying down a highway (I think he was in GA at the time).
As like most things internet there’s always the “reports”. Reality is this product is used daily throughout the world successfully. Installation (and where it’s installed) is the key to success. (but it’s better than melting your rims and tires)
For what it’s worth, I would never use this on my own car or personally put a bike on my SL, but I have a pickup for things like this. I paid less for it than the bikes it hauls (and leave it at the trail head unlocked)
Good Luck.
Last edited by crconsulting; Sep 30, 2025 at 09:33 AM.
I agree, reports or no reports, I wouldn't risk sucking anything to my window or body panel to haul a bike let alone an ebike. With a car like the SL, you have to have a second vehicle for stuff like this. My trusty 2015 GL 550 is why I won't let it go. 119K and still ticking. The kid hauler/bike/Home Depot hauler. Even then, I use the tow hitch bike rack.
Haha you live in Florida right? What’s max elevation there 40 feet? You better not be riding an eBike!
I have it for N. Carolina where we have a house near DuPoint and Kanuga. Crazy, FL has some serious mountain biking....want to jump off 40' cliffs? Sure, they are about 10 minutes from my home.
I have it for N. Carolina where we have a house near DuPoint and Kanuga. Crazy, FL has some serious mountain biking....want to jump off 40' cliffs? Sure, they are about 10 minutes from my home.
Nice, one thing about MTBing in the US, you can usually find fun places to ride!
Well I don’t want to pull this thread OT (LOL and make you very sad, with pictures of singletrack under the Redwood canopy’s of Marin or Santa Cruz) So…..
Good Luck and OP
Let us know how it goes.
Last edited by crconsulting; Sep 30, 2025 at 03:30 PM.
I've used a SeaSucker on my coupes for almost 10 years now. Attached to the pano roof in the front and the metal part of the roof for the rear support. Any bike rack can mar the paint, especially those that use straps. They will constantly move back and forward. The suction cups don't move, so you only scratch the paint if you don't know what you are doing while installing them. Either way though, I give the surface a wipe with a damp microfiber towel to get the dust off and also to improve the suction.
Having said that, I don't haul an e-bike. That's not riding a bike anyway. That's riding a motorcycle :-). The SeaSucker racks do have a weight limit. SeaSucker also says not to drive faster than 75 mph, but they did put the video below out a few years ago. I've yet to have my bike fly off, or damage my cars, even when I drive up a windy mountain road to a trailhead. BTW, SeaSucker racks are on pretty much all of the Tour de France support vehicles hauling all the extra bikes.
I know quite a few people with them that love them. That said, in general they're not sticking them to a nice car and that is the variable in this situation in my opinion. I would not hesitate to put one of my normal bicycles on one in a second. The ebike? Not a chance
Note: OP's car is a cloth top....
Last edited by OldManAndHisCar; Sep 30, 2025 at 04:58 PM.
Frankly, the SeaSucker racks are the perfect solution for roadsters and coupes for those of us who like to drive and ride. One of the videos I watched before I got mine was this one. It captures the perfect use case for them. But I agree, I wouldn't haul an e-bike with one of them.
Love the enthusiasm on this. It has been a few months now using my trunk mounted bike rack. Lots of trips on this thing. It a "Frankenstein" bike rack as I used parts from my old rack and two different ones I bought online - call it a prototype as someday I will build a custom carrier that is fully integrated. Anyway, here are a few a comments on how things have worked out so far, for those considering this path:
1. The tires and rims did not "melt" from the extra weight. In fact, tire wear is normal. Not racing the car, just the e-MTB on these trips.
2. Adaptive cruise worked great once I turned off the unnecessary features; one time I experienced emergency breaking when my SL noticed the bike so close to the sensor.
3. Spoiler alert - Yeah, even with the spoiler deployed (straps routed underneath) the SL tries to lower the spoiler coming off the highway. Manually raise it after ever start or just deal with the warning light on the spoiler malfunction.
4. I have the full car paint protection film (PPF) for my amazing matt finish, so the rack hanging off the back does not hurt the paint.
5. Loving the SL 63 on my weekend MTB trips, despite the haters. LOL
BTW, SeaSucker was not an option as the SL 63 is a soft-top. Also, the PPF would probably not make for a contact surface.
Last edited by JimWilder; Sep 30, 2025 at 07:36 PM.
Reason: Typos
1. The tires and rims did not "melt" from the extra weight. In fact, tire wear is normal. Not racing the car, just the e-MTB on these trips.
.
Look at his images....tires AND rims melt from exhaust gasses....I have seen this DOZENS of times in my life. Seriously, at the trail head I see it 4-5 times a season. Someone does not pay close enough attention, they get to the trail head and find a mess.
Oh, and if that is the new new Levo (Class 4) you can race it (cheating). Those guys on Amflows are going to SMOKE you :-) they are way WAY over class 4. May as well race a motorcycle....
5. Loving the SL 63 on my weekend MTB trips, despite the haters. LOL
Honestly that looks awesome and what a great way to get to the ride spot!
It's not hating at all for me, but rather the Trail Rats - Scumbags that know MTB ride (and hiking) spots. They'll have no problem using the easiest tool in their arsenal, knife (for the top) or if you're lucky, a glass breaker preferably over a hammer to take a $20.00 phone charger.
It's definitely more of a problem with MTBing since folks usually unload their bikes at a parking lot or remote trailhead, which is the worst. Of course the larger rural cities attract more losers, but this is happening across the US now in very rural areas, who knows maybe Europe too.
It seems fairly random, and one of those things you mostly hear about in other places, until it happens to someone you know.
Looks like you do organized rides, which helps mitigate this, especially if it's organized parking. LOL or you could find a buddy with a pickup!
(oh and the tire/rim melt is real, in all fairness hard to tell from pics. if you want to be sure, use a thermometer, that has a strap on on it )
Yep, my business partner's wife got her car broken in twice at a trailhead parking lot. So, I don't park at trailheads. I usually start my rides at somebody's house I know or park in a residential area near the route I'm going to ride. This is also another plus for the SeaSucker rack. It comes down in seconds, so I store it in the trunk while out on the ride. This way nobody even knows I drove there with a bike and that I'm out and about.
Last edited by superswiss; Oct 1, 2025 at 04:55 PM.
Honestly that looks awesome and what a great way to get to the ride spot!
It's not hating at all for me, but rather the Trail Rats - Scumbags that know MTB ride (and hiking) spots. They'll have no problem using the easiest tool in their arsenal, knife (for the top) or if you're lucky, a glass breaker preferably over a hammer to take a $20.00 phone charger.
It's definitely more of a problem with MTBing since folks usually unload their bikes at a parking lot or remote trailhead, which is the worst. Of course the larger rural cities attract more losers, but this is happening across the US now in very rural areas, who knows maybe Europe too.
It seems fairly random, and one of those things you mostly hear about in other places, until it happens to someone you know.
Looks like you do organized rides, which helps mitigate this, especially if it's organized parking. LOL or you could find a buddy with a pickup!
(oh and the tire/rim melt is real, in all fairness hard to tell from pics. if you want to be sure, use a thermometer, that has a strap on on it ) https://www.amazon.com/
Hopefully this is just one of the things you heard about on a forum.
Happy Trails!
Great points... I will definitely watch the temps from the exhaust and take care to park with an active group of riders.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
) So…..
