Convertible top won't budge. Rear headrests won't budge. I tried all switches, check fuses. Hydraulic reservoir is full ,no leaks. To car to my indie expecting the switches on the rear axles needing replacement. My indie tells me the top pump p/n 1248002348 is shot. A used one costs $1000 and a new one is $3500. There is no guarantee to used one will work.
This is getting to be a money pit. I spent $3000 on hydraulic top pistons in the early spring, next it will be the $2000 top controller or module.
I am leaning towards fixing it so I can trade it in for a less stately Toyota or a Chrysler convertible that doesn't have the complicated and costly top issues .

Advice and HELP ------HELP-------HELP----needed

Perhaps Potomac German Auto, or another Benz recycler would have a used pump that comes with at least a non DOA guarantee.

Regards to the cylinders, you can get them rebuilt for a fraction of the cost of new.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

check out tophydraulics.com. They rebuild mercedes hydraulic parts very reasonable and they provide some instruction. I spent more than $5500 on my 300sl at prices of $1000 per ram when tophydraulics will rebuild for less than $100. They are located in Florence, OR Tom

I am aware of tophydraulics. good idea. If I have the pump rebuilt ,is installing the pump a do it yourself job? I don't want to mess it up.

I just searched ebay and found used parts ranging from $200 to 700.

This one for $300 comes with a 6-mo guarantee...
90 91 92 93 Mercedes 500SL Convertible Top MTR | eBay

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Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

Given that convertible top hydraulics do not have everyday use, the failure rate for these expensive cars is a terrible legacy for Mercedes. The parts costs is just the icing on the cake. It will certainly drive buyers to Japanese brands. I have had a plymouth, oldsmobile, chevrolet, and a corvette that never had a problem with the top. Compare the hydraulic ram on a ford tractor. This is not outstanding engineering.
Tom

i am going through this now with a 94 cab...that i wanted to buy... i knew of the hydraulic issue...and built that into my offer..

i went to buy it.... bought hydraulic fluid...and it was filled to the top... I said... let's put the top down and bring it back up and i will buy it....

it wouldn't budge... seller seemed surprised... i would have to drop my offer another six hundred ....... and then do i have to deal with the controller? does it ever end?

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

To Skiier3 9 I checked out the motor at EBay and the site itself says the motor is not compatible with my car, huh? but this is what Mercedes site calls for. To all I was asking if installing the motr is a do it yourself job?

I haven't looked in that area in a while but I think you can do it. It's a reservoir and a pump. There are some lines to disconnect/connect but it should be doable.