hard top v soft top

[bobn10]

Ive got a 320SL it has a hard top and soft top obvioulsy ,my question is should the hard top go on for the winter, say towards the end of the month to protect soft top.0r is it ok to leave hood up and maybe get a cap cover over winter period.
Ive had advice that leaving hood up is best just clean/treat regular and another saying no store hood away during winter !!!

 

[BTB 500]

The hard top isn't really for 'protecting' the hood. It offers better insulation, visibility, and noise reduction during periods when you're not likely to have the roof down much (i.e. winter). The car has a slightly lower drag coefficient with the hard top, too.

So if you don't think you are going to put the roof down much, put the hard top on (that's what I do). Make sure the hood is bone dry first.

I also think the car looks better with the hard top!

 

[SLK350]

Are you saying there is a hard top which fits over the soft top, or does the soft top get removed?

 

[wemorgan]

I've never owned a convertible, but if I did, I think I would enjoy those Sunday morning drives on a crisp Autumn morning with the roof down.

Keep the soft top

 

[kth286]

I've never owned a convertible, but if I did, I think I would enjoy those Sunday morning drives on a crisp Autumn morning with the roof down.

Keep the soft top

Exactly - keep the hard top stored and have the flexibility of open top motoring ALL year through.

 

[BTB 500]

Are you saying there is a hard top which fits over the soft top, or does the soft top get removed?

The hard top goes onto the car with the soft top folded down normally. Hence needing to make sure it's dry first, in fact I think the handbook says you need to take the hard top off regularly and put the hood up to air it.

 

[BTB 500]

I've never owned a convertible, but if I did, I think I would enjoy those Sunday morning drives on a crisp Autumn morning with the roof down.

Autumn is OK, but winter is pushing it a bit unless you drive very slowly - you freeze. I think 'airscarf' on newer Mercs. would make a big difference, but my R129 doesn't even have heated seats

My hardtop is normally on for 4-5 months.

 

[EDZ649]

Roof down, windows up, wind jammer up, heater up, heated seats on, lovely crisp winters day, there's nothing like it!

 

[BTB 500]

heated seats on

Yeah go on, rub it in!

 

[w124nut]

Roof down, windows up, wind jammer up, heater up, heated seats on, lovely crisp winters day, there's nothing like it!

Excellent advice. Sorts the men/ladies out from the boys/girls. :bannana:

 

[LimitedSlip]

Roof down, windows up, wind jammer up, heater up, heated seats on, lovely crisp winters day, there's nothing like it!

It's all ok except for the noise...

 

[bobn10]

Luckily got heated seats !!! spoke with local hood suppliers to me who advise keeping hood up ,although windows will crack the more use it gets, but its only £195 to replace window panels thats for 40 thou panels (what ever that is).But on longer journeys during winter or expected bad weather ,for comfort stick hard top on.
Like the sound of crisp sunny winter days, im liking the car even more.

 

[BTB 500]

The main advantage of the hard top compared to roof up is much better visibility. You also have a HRW, which can be handy in the winter.

 

[wobbly]

Yeah go on, rub it in!

Oh Bill even my 107's got heated seats.

 

[EDZ649]

Luckily got heated seats !!! spoke with local hood suppliers to me who advise keeping hood up ,although windows will crack the more use it gets, but its only £195 to replace window panels thats for 40 thou panels (what ever that is).But on longer journeys during winter or expected bad weather ,for comfort stick hard top on.
Like the sound of crisp sunny winter days, im liking the car even more.

I think 40 thou refers to the thickness i.e. 40 thousanths of an inch.

 

[BTB 500]

Oh Bill even my 107's got heated seats.

I'm really pleased for you

It can't impersonate a 4x4 like mine though

(note - autumn, leaves on ground, no hard top yet! )

 

[wemorgan]

It can't impersonate a 4x4 like mine though

With it's self levelling suspension my Citroen BX could do a similar trick Great for when I loaded the boot with stuff for the tip. I guess you do the same
in the SL?

 

[BTB 500]

With it's self levelling suspension my Citroen BX could do a similar trick Great for when I loaded the boot with stuff for the tip. I guess you do the same
in the SL?

All the time