R129 window replacement

[Sp!ke]

I've just got back from dropping my SL off to Car Hood Warehouse | UK's Number 1 for car hoods, soft tops and convertible hoods | Surrey, London, UK for its soft top windows to be replaced.

Rather reassuring seeing another R129 in there for the same job, the chap doing the work seemed to know the model well too. Told it should be ready by 14:00 so will report back later on how it looks.

£390 all in so not cheap but I put the job off all last summer preferring to wait until spring, which at least allowed me to put a little aside each month to pay for it.

 

[BTB 500]

A few other members here have used them without any problems, so should hopefully be ok. Will be interested in your comments as mine will need doing at some point.

 

[NuisanceValue]

Looking on their website they quote £510 for a complete soft top which seems pretty good value to me so I wonder if that includes the window plastics as well? I should hope so.

Seeing as I was considering a trip to Germany in order to get it done this would seem a better option.

 

[BTB 500]

These are the other people that have been recommended:

D:Class Automotive - Specialists in Automotive Interiors & Upholstery

I'm planning to get a quote from them to retrofit heated seats to my R129 at some point.

 

[Sp!ke]

Looking on their website they quote £510 for a complete soft top which seems pretty good value to me so I wonder if that includes the window plastics as well? I should hope so.

Yes, that price is for the complete hood including the rear section with the windows with the correct mohair fabric too. Fitting is extra though. So allow a couple of hundred or so for fitting.

D-Class come highly recommended but from what I've read, they don't come cheap.

 

[NuisanceValue]

Thanks for that, very helpful. I'm trying to push the current one for as long as possible before renewing it, there's no rips or tears but it is looking faded and shabby particularly round the edges (which tend to rub when it's stowing/unfolding) so it's a matter of which comes first, necessity or whether I can stand the shabbiness.

Seeing as you mention it, they might also be worth asking about my driver seat heating pad which has stopped working (back works fine), but as it's now almost summer it's not that urgent.

Will be nice to know how the OP gets on.

 

[aka$h]

Thanks for that, very helpful. I'm trying to push the current one for as long as possible before renewing it, there's no rips or tears but it is looking faded and shabby particularly round the edges (which tend to rub when it's stowing/unfolding) so it's a matter of which comes first, necessity or whether I can stand the shabbiness.

Seeing as you mention it, they might also be worth asking about my driver seat heating pad which has stopped working (back works fine), but as it's now almost summer it's not that urgent.

Will be nice to know how the OP gets on.

There are products available that will clear up the plastic windows, might be worth a look if your windows and not cracked.

The heated element is part of the cushion on a r129, not sure about cost though.

 

[jaymanek]

There is a local guy to us here who does all of our hoods, he is also a R129 expert, if anyone wants his number just let me know.

He charges a similar amount for the roof plastics.

Most of the cost is down to the labour of having to remove the soft top and replace it.

 

[Doodle]

I've just got back from dropping my SL off to Car Hood Warehouse | UK's Number 1 for car hoods, soft tops and convertible hoods | Surrey, London, UK for its soft top windows to be replaced.

Rather reassuring seeing another R129 in there for the same job, the chap doing the work seemed to know the model well too. Told it should be ready by 14:00 so will report back later on how it looks.

£390 all in so not cheap but I put the job off all last summer preferring to wait until spring, which at least allowed me to put a little aside each month to pay for it.

The interesting thing is that price hasn't really changed that much. Fairly sure that's similar to what I paid 4-5 years back.

I will have to treat the SL to a new hood at some point - while the window replacement is holding up fine, the rest of the hood is starting to look a little frayed around the edges. Just debating whether to go back to CarHoods, or spring the extra and go to KHM in Germany.

 

[Doodle]

There are products available that will clear up the plastic windows, might be worth a look if your windows and not cracked.

The heated element is part of the cushion on a r129, not sure about cost though.

The elements aren't massively expensive, but at least one of them is NLA I believe. I managed to find one by chance at a dealers a couple of years back, but was told that was it, no more in Germany, no more being made.

Fitting the elements themselves is pretty easy, just unbolt the seat base and then remove the cover, stick the element to the foam and then refit. I replaced my seat foam at the same time so the drivers seat is nice and fresh.

 

[James1976]

Car hood warehouse did mine; excellent job and time served guys too. After a winter folded away and the hard top on no issue when it came back out, completely clear so obviously no quality issues either. Kept the original stitching too. Will go back when I need a replacement hood that's for sure; and yes, the replacement hood needs fitting costs added. Hope it all works out! J

 

[Sp!ke]

I have to say that I'm struggling to find fault with the window replacement. The car was ready and waiting by 14:00 as promised.

Lovely job on the stitching where they even used the same stitching holes as the original fitment. No marks or dirt on the car or anything to suggest that the glass had been replaced.

The perspex sections feel slightly thinner although I've been told that in actual fact they are the same thickness but made from a more flexible material which should now outlast the mohair roof.

Crappy phone pic below. :bannana:

 

[rajinder_1]

that looks like a good job....

im in dire need of a complete top,

but like most dragging it out....

i think i may have to get mine done this year at some point.

Would be interesting to see what other members reccommend as in places to go and costs involved???

Raj

 

[BTB 500]

That looks very nice Sp!ke.

 

[Doodle]

The perspex sections feel slightly thinner although I've been told that in actual fact they are the same thickness but made from a more flexible material which should now outlast the mohair roof.

Unless they have changed their product since I had mine done, that is not true. The panels are slightly thinner than original (1mm all round vs 1.2/1.5mm original?)

 

[RobertMarsh]

Mm

 

[DanSL]

Let's hope RobertMarsh is okay..........

 

[SLFIVEHUNDRED]

Hi guys,

Has anyone tried this American DIY window replacement kit...


eBay; "Mercedes R129 SL Soft Top Plastic Window Replacement Cl"

£82.32 plus £28.50 USPS first class postage!!

Quotes:

"This kit allows you to replace the windows yourself wtih professional results!! Included in this kit is everything you need to replace your windows: Are all the proper specialized tools, supplies, windows, and the very simple to follow Step-by-Step instructions (Written in English), with pictures and video of the proceedure.

From start to finish you can do it yourself in just a few hours (Average installation time is 5 hours). This easy to install window kit is all you need to replace your cracked, scratched or browned plastic windows in your soft top."

Just wondered if anyone has give it a go, and tried this themselves...??

Regards
Steve

 

[Sp!ke]

I should add that nearly 3 years on, the windows are holding up very well. No signs of cracking or nasty creasing.

 

[dinoy]

Hi guys,

Has anyone tried this American DIY window replacement kit...


eBay; "Mercedes R129 SL Soft Top Plastic Window Replacement Cl"

£82.32 plus £28.50 USPS first class postage!!

Quotes:

"This kit allows you to replace the windows yourself wtih professional results!! Included in this kit is everything you need to replace your windows: Are all the proper specialized tools, supplies, windows, and the very simple to follow Step-by-Step instructions (Written in English), with pictures and video of the proceedure.

From start to finish you can do it yourself in just a few hours (Average installation time is 5 hours). This easy to install window kit is all you need to replace your cracked, scratched or browned plastic windows in your soft top."

Just wondered if anyone has give it a go, and tried this themselves...??

Regards
Steve

anybody used this at all pls tell us also look at this
full soft top with clear plastic windows
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d1821a5e