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#31
07-08-2009, 08:59 PM
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Just have a few wrinkles to iron out  I bought my top on eBay from Diamond Mall. Apparently the DM tops are actually made by Germanex. They had three qualities - Vinyl, Stayfast and Original German (Sonnenland). I bought the latter - $315.00. Also bought a set of Uro seals from FCP Groton for $66.00. Otherwise one can of spray adhesive and one tube of trim adhesive. I must say the top was very well made and needed minimal trimming during install. The instructions (same as ones from World Upholstery) and even the ones in the shop manual leave something to be desired and in fact conflict in places. But this is job that a DIYer can do. The pictures that Nobby and Roncallo posted in another forum certainly helped. I took a million photos, so will probably post them on my own website sooner or later.
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Graham 85 300D  ,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5
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#32
07-22-2009, 12:45 AM
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Soft top sources
I just replaced my top on my 1991 300sl with a top from Robbins. I selected them based on threads in this formum and discussions with upholstery shops. I selected the top supplier and then paid an install fee. It was very helpful to talk to Robbins customer service gal. She was very knowledgeable and gave me great advice. The top I selected was a stayfast with german design backing. It is a very high quality top and installed perfect by a shop who had never installed a mercedes top.
I would not advise letting an upholsterer select the top unless they are using Robbins or Gahh or have a good explanation why they are selecting a lower cost top. This is an area that you need top quality. The installer cannot improve the quality of the top. My job was perfect and done by Corona in Turlock, CA at a total cost under $1400. Their number is 209-669-7792 Tom
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#33
07-22-2009, 02:29 AM
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I just got one from germanex.They had the best prices I could find and were very helpful on the phone. It looks good, but I still have not put it on yet. I also got new leather seat upholstery from them. It looks great, fit great and also had a great price.
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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver 1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver 1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
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#34
07-22-2009, 10:03 AM
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A few more learnings that I had: - Set the rear wire to 17.5" and adjust strap length if necessary. Do a trial fit to make sure the listings will line up - actually they should be about 1/8" forward so they will line up when top is stretched. (My original wire was 17", so I split difference and set it at 17.25" - I think 17.5" may have been better) - When you attach the vertical flap behind the door windows, make sure you get the reinforced pull piece as low as you can and make sure the flap is completely around the vertical frame so the the piping is vertical and in line with the edge of the frame. You may have to do this with back of top released because it is hard to pull that tab down and forward. - Check that the listings on the inside are no wider that the space between the straps - On my top, I had to trim them, partly because I used wider seatbelting straps and because the straps seem closer together at back. - When you attach the listings on the inside, start in middle and pull outwards as you bring the two surfaces together, so that there is less chance of wrinkles forming in the flat top sections. I have slight waviness in back section - I am told they will go away if left in sun? Not Yet  - Only time I needed help, was at beginning when attaching the rear flap. If I ever did this again, I would only apply adhesive to the middle section of top of the frame and the corresponding upper mating part of the top (The Germanex top had slits cut to show extent. The lower part and the side sections can be glued once you get the top positioned.
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Graham 85 300D ,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5
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#35
07-23-2009, 02:53 AM
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Thanks for the tips.
__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver 1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver 1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
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#36
07-23-2009, 03:51 AM
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I've not bought a new top yet, but I did get my interior on the '79 redone by German Auto Tops in North Hollywood, and I am extremely pleased with their work. All the materials they used are original quality, and since I was there for the day I had a good look at their shop and computerized fabric cutting table, where they cut the material for the tops. I took away samples of three different fabric colors, and have about decided on the color I want. They actually make the tops for several other vendors listed.
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Richard Wooldridge '01 ML320 '82 300D 4.3L V6/T700R4 conversion '82 380SL, '86 560SL engine/trans. installed '79 450SL, digital servo update '75 280C
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#37
07-23-2009, 08:28 AM
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I bought a carpet set direct from them (not via eBay) - It could not have been worse. I had to cut many of the pieces to make them fit. The drivers side heel pad had huge bubbles. If you do a search on Benzworld, you will find pictures of the problems I had. Received no satisfaction from them. Based on my experience, I would not buy anything from them. There are better suppliers out there.
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Graham 85 300D ,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5
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#38
07-23-2009, 09:40 AM
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That's very odd - I got new leather seats and complete carpeting for the interior of my '79, and it's all perfect, and all original material. I could not be happier! After talking to both the owner and his wife, I came away feeling that they are very concerned about having a top quality product.
__________________
Richard Wooldridge '01 ML320 '82 300D 4.3L V6/T700R4 conversion '82 380SL, '86 560SL engine/trans. installed '79 450SL, digital servo update '75 280C
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#39
07-23-2009, 01:04 PM
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http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1382031-installing-carpets-2.html#post2937337 Keep scrolling down there are several pictures throughout that thread. Would you go back to a company that supplied such a poorly fitting product? I worked my way around the many problems, but wanted them to replace the driver's side carpet - but they would not.
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Graham 85 300D ,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5
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#40
07-23-2009, 02:53 PM
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Those pictures look terrible. Plus, that carpet material isn't factory either. I cannot believe those products came from the same place! When I was there, they didn't even have that material in the shop! They have computerized patterns for all the various SL's, and they also own an SL, so I cannot believe that what you are showing is what they made.
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Richard Wooldridge '01 ML320 '82 300D 4.3L V6/T700R4 conversion '82 380SL, '86 560SL engine/trans. installed '79 450SL, digital servo update '75 280C
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#41
07-23-2009, 11:49 PM
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Believe me, the carpets came from them! John & Armen Oganesyan. eBay name qualitytops&interiors but same company German Tops. They convinced me that I would get carpets quicker if I bought direct rather than through eBay - I guess that is how they avoid negative feedback. I post this info just so other SL owners don't have the same bad experience that I did. I bought seat covers from World Upholstery - No problems - excellent product and company. I bought top from Diamond Mall - eBay name selling Germanex product. No problems.
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Graham 85 300D ,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5
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