The clear plastic MB windscreen sure seems like a ripoff for >$600.
There seem to be after-market ones for like an order of magnitude less, but it is not clear if they work well or even fit on the 171s.

Anyone with experience:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....me=STRK:MESE:IT

I don't know about those, but I went for the MB unit. I thought it was a rip-off when I paid $ 449.00. But I have to say, it fits perfect, works well, never rattles and looks great(I never take it off). In the end, for what we pay for these cars it seems silly to try and save a few bucks and end up with something less than perfect. The MB unit looks completely integrated into the car and enhances it's look rather than detract,IMO.

Vodil, search the "other" MB forum (benzworld) under R171, there has been more discussion on windscreens there.

Couple of points...

your first ebay link doesn't respond (for me)

the second ebay link is for a R170 (precursor model to your SLK350)

the MB OEM one is horribly overpriced, but does have some advantages:
- easily removed, you HAVE to remove any windscreen to clean the inside back window, most of the aftermarket windscreens are "permanently" screwed on
- support on three sides (bottom, and each side at the roll bar), most of the aftermarkets are supported only at the bottom and "wiggle" much more, except for the aftermarket that uses velcro straps (ugly)
- looks the nicest out of all I've seen (IMHO), with the top down this is a very "visible" part to others, you don't want to detract from your investment, do you

So, looking at it as a single purchase and it's price, it's doesn't really compute. However when you look at the delta price between MB OEM and aftermarket as a percentage of the overall investment you made in the car, no brainer for me. (ie. less than 1% delta)

I thought I paid too much at first, but after installing it in about 6 seconds, and it removes as quickly, it's not a bad piece of gear. I installed the aftermarket windscreen on my wife's SLK230, and what a pain that was, and never "perfect".

The Merc windscreen for the 350 is perfect.

Mine has fogged occasionally but cleaned quickly with the included cleaning kit. Also comes with a nice storage bag (which you'll never use, probably).

What included cleaning kit? I didn't get one. Mine gets hazy all the time, but a wipe with a microfiber glass cleaning cloth fixes it right up.

My dealer gave me a small kit with a spritz and cloth... you'll be fine with the microfiber cloth (ONLY use it on the windscreen and not the car body or wheels), and a quality optical cleaning spray.

I have also had a persistent problem with fogging windows and the windscreen as well. I was using windex to clean the glass. Someone on one of these forums recommended a product sold at Bed, Bath and Beyond called Perfect Glass (made by a company called Hope). I bought it and I must say, it works great so far! No fogging at all on any of the glass surfaces! I have been dealing with these smeary glass surfaces since I got the car and am really surprised that this stuff seems to have ended it. The stuff has no ammonia I think, so I wonder if the ammonia in Windex somehow reacts with the plastics in the car causing the fogging. So for those of you battling foggy windows, give it a try!

Problem with the windscreen is that it doesn't fit aftermarket roll bars....got to go with the aftermarket version.

Anyone want to buy a brand new OEM one ($500)????? email me (hnic1@adelphia.net)
or PM me.

got the dealer to take back the screen for a full refund...very pleased!

This guy is based in Germany, but will ship worldwide. Its Original OEM Mercedes, Brand new with strorage bag. Also good for any other Mercedes Parts you may need.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tem=8013000187

Has anyone installed one of these MB rear windscreens themselves? Does it require any drilling, or modification of the car? Or is it inherently obvious and simple, even if the instructions are in German?

I think you'll find it inherently simple, it basically just clips on !! No drills, mods, removals of any kind. Only one proviso, must be the standard roll over bars, not the chromed or leather options. Other than that a muppet could fit it ( I did )

I had the rear plexiglass screen added on at leasing and I wouldn't do it another way. You will be hard pressed to find a more effective and visually acceptable solution. It works well and the clear plexiglass doesn't hinder ones' vision while driving even with the top up. I plan on leaving mine on all the time.

Vodil:

I saw on the eBay offering (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....item=8013000187) that you bought one of the windscreens from the guy in Germany.

How did you go about paying for it, as he apparently does not take credit cards or Pay Pal?

Thanks. (I ordered one too, and I am waiting to hear back from him on payment terms.)

I've bought a few for various people. He will accept bank wire only, so you'll have a few dollars in fees to pay. But he's 100% trustworthy so don't worry.

Thanks for the help Geordie_UK. I ordered one, and I am waiting to hear back from him regarding payment and shipping. The problem is not usually with the bank wire, but with converting to Euros, assuming that is how he wants payment.

Maverick. Just ask the bank to make a payment of xxx Euros and debit the US$ equivalent from your account. They will have no issues with that at all.

Not all US banks will do that though. If you have an american express financial branch nearby use them. They'll typically give you the best exchange rates with low fees. As always call ahead before making a trip and wasting gas etc...etc...etc...

My bank wire form had an explict entry for currency so the conversion was not a problem at all. But there was something wrong with the Bank info he supplied, so it is still not done.

He provided me with an IBAN number. This is an international standard so if you get this, you'll be fine

I just ordered on too. I need to figure out how to wire the money now.

It can be a very difficult process to wire to his bank (from the US anyway).
His IBAN and SWIFT number are not "international" and so are not recognized from here. He will give you an intermediate SWIFT number in Munich (if you do it in Euros).

If you have all the information you can just take it to your bank and they can do an international wire. No problem. It may cost $40. They will probably give you a decent exchange rate though.

I happen to have a Euro account in France, and they were able to do it easily.

It really should not be that difficult to wire to Europe though. I have done it before, and the key is finding the financial associate bank to your bank. I know most big banks have them; it may be that the particular bank employee does not know the procedure.

Unfortunately, we are not to the point of globalization of financial institutions yet. That's why credit cards work so well. But he did not want to take a credit card, even when I offered to cover the merchant credit card fees by adding 3%.

Vodil and redvettx2: Have either of you received your screen yet? He sent me an email on the 16th saying it was sent. Should have been 10 to 12 days, but nothing yet. I emailed him on the 16th asking for a tracking number, but he never responded. I attributed that to minimal English skills, so he may not have known what I was asking for. But now I'm getting a little nervous considering he has the money.

Mine arrived today. I have not tried to install it yet, but it looks like it is all there.