Hmm Dilemma Pre Collection SL320

[IanA2]

I know people rave about the panoramic roof, but it's of no interest to me. The more rounded shape doesn't suit the car IMO (too much like an SLK in profile ), and it's heavier. It also suggests you're going to have the hard top on much of the time, in which case why not just buy a coupe?!

Have you tried it Bill, it really is (a mon avis) wonderful. I take it off at the same time as I would the other top. When it comes into it's own is in Winter

 

[BTB 500]

I haven't tried it as in driven with it, but I've sat in a car with one fitted. It's nice inside, but as I said I just don't like the rounded shape. My car isn't a daily driver, which probably makes a difference. I leave the hardtop off as long as possible ... I enjoy a quick top-down blast on a sunny winter's day (but I do wish I had heated seats!).

 

[DSLiverpool]

Bill Can you guide me on the EPC for the car please - what to search for on ebay as I dont want to get the wrong thing.

Hardtop - it wont be a winter driver at all unless Mrs DSL shunts the Dodge(em) so the hardtop wont be on much I wanted it as a resale insurance policy more than anything else as at this level it does not impact on the buy price so much but IMHO makes the car more saleable.

Mirrors - the later mirrors are nicer than the early 98 ones (99 MY I think) are they an easy retro does anyone know ?

 

[IanA2]

Mirrors - the later mirrors are nicer than the early 98 ones (99 MY I think) are they an easy retro does anyone know ?

I'm interested in this too for the 60....

 

[BTB 500]

Mirrors - the later mirrors are nicer than the early 98 ones (99 MY I think) are they an easy retro does anyone know ?

Nav (KLP 92) did this on his 600, so it's certainly possible.

The rear lights also changed, the later ones are a 5 minute swap. I dithered for a long time about doing this before deciding I actually prefer the original ones

 

[BTB 500]

Bill Can you guide me on the EPC for the car please - what to search for on ebay as I dont want to get the wrong thing.

There's another current thread on EPC/WIS (they are normally sold together). Nowadays I would personally just subscribe to the real M-B online EPC since they have opened it up to private individuals (previously only available to companies):

http://www.service-and-parts.net

Less hassle than installing an out of date (and pirated) copy on your PC.

 

[DSLiverpool]

There's another current thread on EPC/WIS (they are normally sold together). Nowadays I would personally just subscribe to the real M-B online EPC since they have opened it up to private individuals (previously only available to companies):

http://www.service-and-parts.net

Less hassle than installing an out of date (and pirated) copy on your PC.

Cost please Bill ?

 

[BTB 500]

Dunno, sorry! From memory something like £20 a year? You could confirm by following the registration process and cancelling out before paying.

 

[Doodle]

Nav (KLP 92) did this on his 600, so it's certainly possible.

I checked with local dealer after Jay's GTG, you're looking at about £350 for the pair IIRC. They come in 3 parts - frame, glass and cowling.

 

[BTB 500]

I checked with local dealer after Jay's GTG, you're looking at about £350 for the pair IIRC. They come in 3 parts - frame, glass and cowling.

Is that plus painting, or do you order with a colour code?

 

[DSLiverpool]

Could we do a group buy with our friendly Manchester parts chap ?

 

[DSLiverpool]

Price EPC net
Yearly registration fee for access to MB Passenger Cars*, MB Commercial Vehicles* and smart: 15.00 € w/o VAT17.62 € incl.VAT
Prices WIS net

Choice of ApplicationWIS net forChoice of CategoryMB Car*MB CV*smartAccess Period1 Hour4.00 €3.50 €2.00 € 1 Day20.00 €17.00 €10.00 € 1 Week70.00 €60.00 €35.00 € 1 Month180.00 €150.00 €90.00 € 1 Year1239.00 €883.00 €598.00 €
Prices ASRA net

Choice of ApplicationASRA net forChoice of CategoryMB Car*MB CV*smartAccess Period1 Hour3.50 €4.00 €1.50 € 1 Day15.00 €18.00 €6.00 € 1 Week50.00 €65.00 €20.00 € 1 Month135.00 €160.00 €52.00 € 1 Year830.00 €962.00 €343.00 €

 

[IanA2]

Depends on the price, I think (but could be wrong) that they come up on fleabay now and then.

 

[DSLiverpool]

Depends on the price, I think (but could be wrong) that they come up on fleabay now and then.

Last lot on ebay were from USA and the mirrors would be LHD suited - poss you could swap them over L to R ??

 

[Doodle]

Is that plus painting, or do you order with a colour code?

Never quite got that far, at that price it got put on the back burner. I would imagine it would come colour coded, as per stuff like the bumper grilles.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Never quite got that far, at that price it got put on the back burner. I would imagine it would come colour coded, as per stuff like the bumper grilles.

I believe that you should be able to get them pre-painted. Many of the plastic parts e.g. door handles, spoilers, bumper trim etc can be ordered already painted. The mirror caps for the W203 & W209 can be ordered pre-painted for example.

 

[DSLiverpool]

View From The Flat Window ....

Well its better than I could have hoped, the full tool kmit with the elusive emergency hood opener made my day (sad hey).

Its not been serviced yet thats on friday with it pencilled in for the service, the ATF change, brake fluid, full lube, tracking and a/c regas

Driving impressions - well I didnt get this for the thrill of the drive (good job I hear you say) not only is it slower than a slow thing going slow but the r/c ball steering is like piloting a mersey ferry after the CLS but Im loving it already - This SL is here to give me an interest in cars again at the business end, to me (and its my opinion only) there is something detached about paying others to do for hugely pricey mods on a hugely pricey car, I would get little real satisfaction on chipping, dropping and blinging the CLS but to many I understand it would be a dream to do - I could have blown most of the £9500 spent on Robbo (the SL`s nickname from the Mrs) on a set of bling alloys for the CLS.

I will get pure joy from getting Robbo back to as near 1st day condition as possible. I have already fixed the vanity lights in the visors which had dirty and detached slide connectors AND I can do more (not much though)

The garage took it to inchcape for a whole new aerial I wasnt expecting that.

Dilemma was / is the roof is on and I cant get anyone to help take it off tonight so hard top (though fully dusty panoramic) it is (valeter forgot to clean the hardtop)

I will update more after its been serviced and driven a bit

 

[robert.saunders]

Nice thread; you seem to have done very well, looks smart

 

[DSLiverpool]

Its still in the garage sadly - the gbox oil dipstick went missing at the indie and they cant get one till monday and they wont let it go nor do I want it untill its right (they didnt measure it cos they had a dipstick but when needed it wasnt available or something) in the 10 miles I have done it is smooth on normal driving but if revved / pushed it gets confused 2 / 3rd and thumps into gear. The lack of use this car has had is unbelievable so I am really hoping its a fluid change and a long drive

I have asked for the A service, brake fluid, atf, sparkies, handbrake tighten (awkward job I believe) and the bearings to be adjusted and checked. Once done (and providing I dont need a new gearbox ) its getting a regas of the a/c, tracking check and then I can start bringing it up to (my version of) showroom condition.

The plastic around the rear hardtop mounts has been goughed by weakling roof positioning and if there is a gough on one side then on the other side of the car you have a scratch - its 3 inches long and on the "bodywork" list - Im on the Russki site getting the rear drivers side location trim part number as I type this.

All trim parts that are low cost will be replaced starting with the sunvisor grabs, screw covers etc I am compiling a parts list and so far Inchcape have been great.

Sooo this weekend I am refurbing the hardtop stand which will be re-rubbered and probably bubble wrap trimmed plus the air deflector and its (mushroom) case are in my possesion and will be cleaned up

I have to admit to feeling a bit anxious over the box but the dealer is 100% sure its not terminal - lets see what monday brings

Meanwhile can anyone id (part number) this hardtop location trim - I cant find it

 

[c955]

Don't exclude the relative bargains you can find down sarf mate

Very nice looking SL500...



You really ought to be prepared to travel for the car you want imho.


Ooops...you already got one!