[Playground Martyr]

Hello everyone.

I've just bought my first SL so i thought i'd drop my first post in !

Its a 1991 300 SL-24 in blue black with grey trim. I couldnt be happier with it, it drives beautifully ! It will take a while to get used to the seating position as I'm 6.2 and its not the biggest cabin in the world so my legs are a little bent but that's not a huge deal....

I've wanted one for years and the chance came up to buy a really nice one so i snapped it up. there are a few little things that need doing, and i plan to look at those over the coming months. These include hard top lining coming away. small rust bubble on one front wing. under bonnet insulation and the wheels need refurbishing.

It's going into the garage on Monday because the central locking doesn't work properly and there's a little knocking from the back, my old BMW 540 used to do the same, that was some kind of seal/bush that had perished, hoping this will be something similar.

I have a question regarding the soft top. Is it ok to put it down in the stowage for a long period? I'm talking several months really. I'm in the UK so winter has just started to bite so Ive put the hard-top on. The soft-top was completely dry when i put it down. so should i put it up occasionally or is it ok to leave it stored..?

all the best
Playground Martyr

 

[Pete S]

I leave mine stowed alway from late October/early November to about late April/early may with no issues as of yet.


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[jimdollar]

One thing you should find is that the heater is amazing, my 1991 300 SL-24 has the best heater of any car I have owned!1

 

[Vasir]

One thing you should find is that the heater is amazing, my 1991 300 SL-24 has the best heater of any car I have owned!1

The heaters are amazing. Every Benz I owned, I've been astonished by the heater. Blows warm air 30 seconds into the car being on.

But as far as the top goes; don't be concerned. You won't be the first guy who hasent used the soft top for several months because if fall/winter. When you initially bring the soft top back out, the plastic window will be a little waiver than usual, but one afternoon in the sun and that's all fixed.

 

[monkeymerc]

Welcome to the forum,the hood should be perfectly ok as it was dry when you put it away, should also be ok when you come to raise it again in the spring,best to keep the battery fully charged and with the engine running when you put it up:thumbsup:

 

[rorypff]

Just NEVER put the hood up or down when the temp is less than 15 deg C or the plastic window will crack:crybaby2::thumbsup:

 

[Playground Martyr]

Thanks fellas, I'm reassured i wont need to worry about the soft-top till the sun re-appears..

cheers!

 

[degeja]

clean inside and out with distilled water and softest cloth available.
Some then recommend a coating of vinyl top sealer.
Some people have also recommeded putting soft cloth on outside when it folds down to keep the vinyl from rubbing on itself.

 

[Steve6]

As the others have confirmed, your soft-top will be fine. Welcome to the R129'ers, where in the UK are you located? Like you, I had also fancied a SL for years and bought mine about 4 years ago. You will find this forum invaluable and fun, they're a great bunch apart from a certain Dark Lord who resides in a nearby Galaxy and will nick your panoramic roof if you have one....indiscretion is usually punished by the 'Russian Airbag' (check it out on YouTube)
Regards
Steve

 

[Playground Martyr]

As the others have confirmed, your soft-top will be fine. Welcome to the R129'ers, where in the UK are you located? Like you, I had also fancied a SL for years and bought mine about 4 years ago. You will find this forum invaluable and fun, they're a great bunch apart from a certain Dark Lord who resides in a nearby Galaxy and will nick your panoramic roof if you have one....indiscretion is usually punished by the 'Russian Airbag' (check it out on YouTube)
Regards
Steve

Hi Steve, I replied to your post via my phone but it doesnt seem to have worked...? I'm in London.
i've already picked up several 'how to's on here so theres obviously loads of help and info available.. I've ordered a new bonnet blanket and plan to fit that myself... And i'm considering changing the hard-top headlining myself too..

That russian airbag looks like it might sting a bit!
cheers