Rain Water leak partially solved
 

I have had a bad water leak coming in to the front floor board area (both sides) after heavy rains, etc....

I cleaned out the hood hinge area, which was bad several times, but the leak kept on coming, especially after heavy rains. I didn't think it was the sunroof, the PO did a repair on the seal and the water was really only at the floorboard area.

Well, after reading the forum posts on everyone's leaks, I caulked up the windshield area, where visually I could see a compromise in the windshield weather stripping, and the glass. BOth sides had bad areas near the top. The second place was in the rain gutters, near the roof line just above the windshield. I had a piece of decaying rubber there that on both sides looked like it could be the culprit. So, as a test I just sealed it with some water proof caulk. We had like 6 inches of rain this week, and I had almost no water come in. Before I would have 4 soaked mats, and surrounding carpet. That would take a week to dry out.

I think I am on to something!

yes you are on to where the leak is, but if you leave silicone on your car, it will rapidly turn to a rust spot... now that you know where it is, clean it off, and get a new windshield seal in there!

didn't know that
 

I didn't realize that. A silicone caulk will cause rust.... I don't have it on any painted part...or sheet metal...

As silicone sealant cures, it traps corrosive moisture under it. If you use it to seal between the windshield gasket and the windshield glass, it will make it very difficult to remove the gasket if you want to re-use the glass. Butyl sealant is ok to use.

Is there a DIY sealant material from a tube that doesn't encourage rust?

BUTYL, is what he said. You can get it in black and put it between the gasket and windshield or gasket and paint. Clean up with mineral spirits (paint thinner) on the painted areas, and on the glass, wait for it to dry and trim it with a razor blade.
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Please just sell me that car...or fix the problem.
The shortcut temporary goopy fix just makes it tougher to correct the problem later-on...

lookit this
http://catalog.worldpac.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=2A51DM31N2A51DMDTM&year=1985&make=MB&model=300-DT-001&category=O&part=Windshield+Seal