SL500 plastic window deformation. help!

[spinedoc]

Just got a new convertible top for my 96 SL500, the old one was very worn and the rear plastic window was very yellowed and cracked. Got the top from GAHH, very happy with it, but...

Ive had it for about a month and the rear plastic main window, as well as the 2 side windows are already getting deformed from me putting the top down. It already causes some view issues when driving. I have done an extensive search and the best advice I have found is putting a rolled up soft towel in the crease where the window folds in half. I have been doing this religiously since the new top was put on, but it does not help at all. I am very bummed after spending the money on the new top and having to deal with what seems like a design flaw.

Anyone have any advice on preserving the rear plastic window? I like to put my top down a lot so it does get a lot of use, but isnt that its function?

Thanks much.

[CDNC36AMG]

Spiney, when I got my '91 they put in new windows as part of the deal. These have been less than wonderful since done.

My only complaint about my car is the poor visibility with the soft top up....the windows just add to the natural blind spots.

[bwheitman]

I just had a new top put on mine too about 6 mos ago and having the same trouble. I don't use anything except a towel when folding the top away, not rolling it up though. I only use the towel if I am putting the hard top on and not going to be using the soft top for awhile. The dealership that installed the top says that the creasing is normal. I did notice that the back window is a lot bigger now than it was on the old top. I find one thing that helps is not leaving the car in the sun, expecially with the top down. Also when I get home or to work I put the top up while parked in the garage. The soft top is very sensitive to the sun and extreme cold. Good luck! Enjoy the spring!
Regards,
Brian

[Momo]

According to the dealer last week, my plastic window, now over 13 years old, is the most transparent ever seen in a 129. The car has never, never been through an automatic car wash. I have never taken any precautions when folding the soft top.

Over here we also get a "sandy rain" several times a year. If you put a car through an automatic wash, it wrecks the plastic and the general paintwork.

Momo

[bwheitman]

Thanks Momo, is your top manual? I thought maybe they were in some other countries. I think the reason the windows over here in the US crease and scratch is the way the top folds, so I was wondering if yours may fold in differently. Have a good one!
Brian

[spinedoc]

Darn, so this is something I have to live with? I wish MB had thought to put in zippered windows like BMW so they would be replaceable, at this rate I will have to replace the rear end of my top every 2 years. You would think that this top, which has been in production for over 10 years on the R129, would have been improved by the engineers.

I also read somewhere else that the aftermarket top windows were thinner than the ones that came stock with the car, contributing to the creases.

[jjrodger]

I think this is something you have to live with. My 1999 original top has pronounced deformation where it creases. When I took the hard top off this year I also noticed two tiny hairline cracks, each about 5mm long, right on the fold where the large window meets the hood material.

I have improved visibility by cleaning the inside and outside of the windows with a mild soap solution. I have also used Meguiar's PlasticX with some success. The product Hindsight has also been highly recommended but I have yet to try.

[kknudson]

Spiney, I don't fully understand. The rear windows on my 1990 are in really good shape. Although I think this things rarely been driven with the top up. I also rarely leave it, even overnite in the garage with the top down.

I would suggest putting the top up on a warm day to let the plastic warm gently and stretch back out.

I would also recommend some type of conditioner. I found one I like, I'm at work now, it's at home. I've only used it a few times. Did a great job cleaning, and removing some minor scratches from the prior owners.

Although after using it to clean the interior of the windows, I might need to set up an appointment.

[G-Benz]

Replaced mine a couple of years ago after the original one split one day as the top was folding down...

The new one shows slight deformation when being raised after being down for an extended period, but eventually assumes its normal shape...especially when exposed to sunlight.

...I would think any deformation problems would be the result of the installation.

When the top is up, the window plastic should be taut (side windows excluded). And except for slight scratches, your rear vision should not be impeded by any deformation...

[spinedoc]

When it was originally installed the rear window was taut, it was a perfect installation as far as I could tell. But what happens is as the rear window folds in half it creases and deforms in that area. My rear vision is not too bad, just some deformation like seeing a car behind me slightly doubled. I think that if you continuously fold a piece of plastic it will get like this. On warm days it does correct a bit, but not much.

But I know what my old original top looked like, the rear window was very yellowed and the fold in the middle was worn to the point where the side windows finally cracked open, with the rear window being very close to cracking open before I replaced the entire top.

I am just resigning myself to replacing the back every 2-3 years. Maybe GAHH will custom make one with a zippered window. I put the top down probably 3-4 times per week, sometimes more than once in a day if I have to park the car. I mean why have a convertible if you are afraid to put the top down.

Of course the best solution is to go for the newest SL with the retracting hard top, although I hear those are a bit of a nightmare.

[CDNC36AMG]

Originally posted by spinedoc
....like seeing a car behind me slightly doubled.

That is exactly what I have....lots of cars seem to have four headlights.

I think the great SL shame has always been the failure to have a glass rear window....if GM could put a glass window in the Allante back in 1987 then clearly MB could have done so in the 1990's reincarnation.

[jjrodger]

Remember the SL came as standard with a very comfortable hard top. The soft top is intended as a summer-only saviour for when it is raining or just not quite nice enough to go topless. It is a temporary top. The fact that it is such a good top in all other respects does not change this. If the SL had come without a hardtop no doubt it would have had a fully lined and padded soft top and a glass window, just like the 124 and 208 cabriolets.

[LeaUK]

For clear windows try Hindsight - worked well for me. Although not a cure for cracked or severely deformed windows, my '93 was significantly improved with rear vision 100% improved.

[bwheitman]

you know the title of my car describes it as a Coupe/Roadster, not a convertible, that tells me just like mentioned before that the soft top is not meant for continual use, although the soft top is very much like a convertible, it is not meant to be a convertible. The definition of a roadster is an open car, sometimes with a ragtop to save you in case you get caught in a rainstorm. The definition of a convertible is a car that has a fully funtional soft top and windows. Also I think it would have been kind of hard to put a glass window back there, the area that the soft top stores in is remarkably small. I would rather have all the room and useablility of the storage than a glass window. When I replaced the rear part of my soft top it was $3600.00, that is a lot of money for an old car! And yes it will probably need it again in awhile, I will do everything I can to lengthen it's life, but after only a few months use it is already scratched and creased, and this replacement was the OEM one. This is probably the most dis-satisfying engineering goof in the 129. It should have had a zippered window, more like a roadster as it was designed and less like a convertible. I think I might see if someone can install zippers in there too! Good luck everyone!
Regards,
Brian

[bwheitman]

Spinedoc,
You mentioned that the newer SL retractable hardtop in an adverse way. I am currently putting money aside to buy one of those cars, what have you heard about them? Are they problematic? Thanks!
Brian