Hi everyone,
New to the MB world, just bought a 2007 SL550 Black opal. My Vano Roof C-Pillar Paneling were soo worn. So, I decieded to wrap them in carbon fiber vinyl wrap and they came out INCREDIBLE. Unfortunely, I didn't take before pics , but I will post pics of them later. The cost on the vinyl wrap was $17 and about a hrs time. Fairly easy to install. Hope this helps !!!

Although it may never be known how many civilians have died as a result of U.S. UAV strikes in Pakistan, there are estimates of hundreds or thousands of innocent bystanders who have perished in such attacks.

My panels need attention. I really want to see what the carbon fiber looks like. My car has a carbon fiber spoiler. I'm up in the air about it. Please post pics.

^^^^+1

Can scratches be polished out or replacing the panels more logical?

Here is pic ! spots on the panel are just rain drops. I will get a better pic in the afternoon

@jagata , my panels were beyond repair too faded. Based on earlier comments in thread this was was way cheaper and could of used just a black vinyl wrap instead of the carbon fiber wrap to look more factory

Hello R230 fans... I'm having the same issue on a 2003 SL500... I can't find anywhere that will supply these for less than $76.50, but my question to the forum here is "will the 2307920430 and 2307920330 (left and right panels) fit right onto my 2003 SL500 without having to install anything else?"

There is mention of having to buy some kind of adapter kit for the 2003 model on one of the forums (can't find it now!!!) - so interested to know if any other 2003 SL owners have fitted these particular parts and if they are just a 1 for 1 replacement, or if some kind of additional kit is needed for the 2003 model?

Many thanks in advance all...

Check out this thread. https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...amination.html

The WIS makes it sound like you need a special adapter. Latemodel just replaced his using the part number you noted above. I spoke with the nice lady, Tracy at oediscountparts.com about the same issue. Tracy says she has sold a number of those parts to people with 03 R230s and none have had trouble. OEdiscount sells them for $76.50 with no shipping charge.

Many thanks for the advice folks. Much appreciated... This job took me about 30 minutes and with all the advice here, it was made all the easier... :-)

How about color match?

Not sure what you mean. Are you thinking a repaint vs. replacement?

I wrapped mine with black vinyl

I was able to replace mine on a 2008 SL550 very easily using the information in this guide. Be careful to evenly press down on the panel or they may be a little uneven. Make sure that all the clips fit properly into slots available. Make sure in removing the old one that you remove any parts that might have broken off in the removal process. Very easy installation in a few as 20 minutes or so. My car for some reason decided to continue closing the roof during one of the times I was working on it. Not sure if I did something or what. Car has to be on and running and should be a quick fix. I have pictures that I will post later if anyone wants them! Having some technical issues right now. I bought mine from http://www.oemercedesbenzparts.com/!

Where did you source the black vinyl?

Just a caveat. When I replaced my trim pieces, i broke a few tabs. I wasn't as careful as i could of been because I was putting on new trim, but some of the tabs can be sticky. It could be trim pieces that have been exposed to sunlight more than others are more brittle. I'm thinking another pair of hands pushing down on the trim could help.

Did you take them off to wrap them?

Here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=401126668783

I didn't remove mine.

Thanks to all who helped with this information. Ordered my parts from Mercedes Parts Center for 79 each, part numbers
2307920330 left
2307920430 right
for my 2003 SL500.

Left the car running, opened the top halfway, used a small screwdriver and hammer to tap down on the top and the part popped down and off. Placed the new one half an inch below and slid it upwards, pressing in the middle to ensure all the tabs caught. Then tapped the bottom edge to gently force it upwards into position, being careful to cover the bottom edge to avoid scratching it during the tapping. Safety tip: after about 5 minutes, the top starts beeping then closes, watch out for that. Whole thing took me 15 minutes maybe, thanks to the info here.

Leave the car running and open the top halfway. It will autoclose in five minutes or so. Keep fingers clear.
Use a small screwdriver and a hammer and tap the top edge of tue old panel to gently force it down half an inch, panel will begin to pop off.
Here is what the tabs on the underside look like
Looks good and required nothing special to be done to the underlying structure. The tabs that hokd it in place are plastic so you need to be careful and gentle as you install. the middle has a tendency to pop up so put your hand fhere as you slide up on the piece to ensure all the tabs catch. Then tap from the bittom to finish
comparing the new one installed with the old one I just laid down on the glass for a look
right side now. Tap down here using a small screwdriver and a hammer
see the tabs on the underside that need to alk catch as you slide upwards
When you tap down, the top will pop off first, work the rest of the tabs too

Used a small screwdriver and this hammer to tap upwardd on the new panel. be sure to cover the bottom of the new one so you dont scratch it as you tap upwards. I just took this shot to show you need a hammer
After five minutes or so, the top will beep and it will close down. Make sure you have nothing in the way, like fingers or anything that might cause damage as it moves down
[img]https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbworld.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-img_20170225_093657_74106c2d91b4555aad6790aa9a20a3 c62799d7ec.jpg[/imp
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hmmm.... I thought the brackets that those trim pieces attached to were different on the 03s and that the 03 parts were not longer available. I had seen other threads were people had to upgrade both the trim and the bracket to the 04+ version

No, I didn't and I will be redoing them this week or next , by not taking the pillars out and just tracing out the vinyl you get a tendency of getting water/air bubbles underneath the vinyl which eventually goes away with heat or you could push it out with a CC. So, this time I will take out the pillars and wrap the carbon fiber vinyl around the edges.

My vinyl started bubbling after about 2-3 years and the pro-wrapper said the plastic is off-gassing. He says he can try to sand/seal BUT I will probably just order new parts. Best vendor/price these days?

Good luck trying to find them, I tried looking last year, NO ONE had them in stock, I think they stop making them or supply chain issues

I found both parts at MB Miami for ~$80 each. Professional wrapping (and sealing to deter off-gassing) was going to be nearly $100/side ($200 total).
Great write-up above!
My additions:
1) I shot penetrating oil underneath the old ones to help lubricate the tabs.
2) Balancing the top and manipulating the panels is best done with two people.
3) With the top partially opened and balanced (as in the great instructions above) I ultimately needed a rubber mallet and wood block on the top/leading edge to get the old ones off (and broke one tab on each...no big deal)
4) Before I put the new ones on, I closed the roof and opened the trunk in order to have access to the trailing edge/bottom.
5) I lubricated the tabs on the new ones and (now with a near horizontal orientation) two of us pushed pushed down and forward. We still missed getting one tab engaged on one side (which put friction/stress on the surrounding tabs and left an ALMOST imperceivably bump in the glossy panel)...so (with much care/angst and without damaging the NEW panel) I pulled it off and got every tab engaged. :-) :-) :-)