To romove rear spoiler or not? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Damian · #1 08-19-2003, 11:23 AM

Guys I was after some advice, I was thinking of removing the rear spoiler on my 82 500 SL and was after some more opinions. I know it's a stock item and all, but I am thinking I prefer the lines of the rear of the ca r without it what do you think?

Regards

Damian

greymarket · #2 08-19-2003, 12:29 PM

I recall a post years ago that indicated the spoilers are functional and were needed to keep the rear ends glued down when travelling at Autobahn speeds. On my car. I can feel the downforce of both front and rear spoiler kick in at 90 mph or so and it is somewhat reassuring. Personally, I like the spoiler. It kind of sets the car apart as a euro model with the higher compression engine, etc.

RickM · #3 08-19-2003, 01:25 PM

Your asking for opinions so here's mine......I never cared for any type of spoiler on the rear, flat trunk lid of a car. It always appears as an afterthought. In most cases it is, wether from the factory or not.

But as always: To each his own.

ericdee · #4 08-19-2003, 03:59 PM

I agree with greymarket, it does set the car apart from the pack.

I say, keep the spoiler

kpr · #5 08-19-2003, 06:48 PM

plus, who knows how much adhesive is under there - it looks better on

cbdo · #6 08-19-2003, 08:01 PM

Purely my own personal reaction, worth whatever: I've seen other cars with spoilers that I liked, but I've never thought the spoiler thing worked very well with the rear end design on the 107. It looked probably tolerable in pix; then I saw a 500SL in the metal and liked everything BUT the spoiler. The car needed a respray, and if I'd bought it I'd have taken the spoiler off but kept it against the day when someone else might want it in original condition. The 560SL I did buy has the decklid stoplight, but it's the small outer-edge one and not much of an issue for my taste.

Now, if you're going to ask me about the insane automatic AC in my car versus the remarkably flexible and intelligent dual-control setup that some of the Euro 107 cars have...

bobw · #7 08-20-2003, 03:44 AM

Personally, I've never liked the spoiler on the back of the 107. It always looked like a low-rent after market item to me. I'm not so sure about the functional aspects either. M-B had sold a good few 107s before they introduced the spoiler and I don't believe that the car had gained a reputation for lift at speed.

As ever though, it's your car and your choice

--
bobw
1983 380SL
1991 BMW 735iSE

jjrodger · #8 08-20-2003, 06:05 AM

I don't like it at all, but it is a stock item (and I like my cars kept exactly as they came from the factory) and it is functional, too (although in these days of ever-increasing enforcement and congestion, you can probably do without it).

Damian · #9 08-20-2003, 07:04 AM

I think I agree with most it does lock like an after market thought etc and I am thinking of doing repairs to my soft top cover which may envolve spraying the trunk to blend it in so I could remove it, if they can get the trunk lid straight.
The only thing that makes me hesitate is that it's original and people may think I have just rebadged a 350/450 etc to look like a 500, and it may depreciate the value also.

I may think of doing it and keeping it aside for future reinstall, but it's a dificult decision.

Thanks very much for you opinions its much appreciated

I wish I could attatch the pic I have, but its 160K and it won't let me attatch it I tried makeing it smaller, but it's still 105K

Regards

Damian

#10 08-20-2003, 10:10 AM

Why not buy an extra trunklid (one without a spoiler), have it painted to match your car, and just keep the original (with the spoiler) in storage until you sell the car?

That would give you originality for resale plus the look you like while you're driving it.

Might take a while to find one at reasonable cost, but it can be done, and you'd recoup the cost by selling the extra lid when you eventually sell the car.

P.S.: I'd think the spoiler might look more integrated with the rest of the car if it was painted to match rather than being flat black. Of course, there goes the originality factor . . . .

cbdo · #11 08-20-2003, 09:53 PM

Damian, you may have answered your question already, if you're going to do a respray of the deck lid. Any decent job will involve removing the spoiler. If there are any bolts (eg holes in the lid) involved, filling them wouldn't be terribly tough; if not, it's even easier. Once it's resprayed, simply leave the spoiler safely stashed. If and when you sell the car, the original spoiler is sitting in the trunk, ready to go back on--or not, as a buyer might wish. So the win-win goes even unto the next buyer, and possibly the one after that.
How much more of a win-win can you devise?

Damian · #12 08-26-2003, 06:58 AM

Thanks again for your thoughts, I will try to find another trunk lid. If not paint mine again, fill in the holes and keep onto the spoiler.

thanks Guys

Damian

dpatterson · #13 09-01-2003, 01:37 AM

Damian,

If you decide to ditch the spoiler ... and I recently did .... you will find 5 holes, 6mm in diameter along the rear edge of the boot lid holding it in place. More than likely you will also find rust - the spoiler is very effective at trapping dirt and moisture against the paint surface. Difficult to patch and fill perfectly but it is possible. I was up for a whole new lid anyway so it wasnt a factor for me.

For my 2 cents worth I think the 107 SL looks far better without the spoiler ... one of the few things my wife and I agree on when it comes to cars.

Daryl