General Car Conversation 2025 - Part 2
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,011
Likes: 529
From: Maryland
If I had a cool convertible car like an SL I want it working correctly otherwise it takes the enjoyment out of it and not worth having in the first place. Just my opinion. Get that **** fixed.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,481
Likes: 385
From: ON/NY
No, these should last a decade or more assuming regular use. TopHydraulics apparently makes better than OEM quality replacements. And the Mercedes stuff is good. I have heard nothing but glowing reviews for this guy. Tophydraulics.com
This will be the third set of hydraulics in 23 years, I don't think that's bad at all. I bought a used car 3 years ago and the top JUST NOW broke.
LOL the dealer wants $15,000. Granted that's for a new setup completely fresh from OEM, not rebuilt.
Yes you can manually raise it and lower but that's a huge PiTA that takes tools. I can't even screw a screw in.
It is absolutely worth fixing, on the contrary. Even today all these years later that roof is still really neat the way it works. It stops the show when I use it in traffic. I haven't located a hardtop yet and I don't really care honestly, it's also not a quick easy thing to install, it takes two people and weighs 74lbs.
Bottom line, if you have a nice SL the top is absolutely positively worth spending the money on to keep going.
Go to 1:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ4abrKiuC8
This will be the third set of hydraulics in 23 years, I don't think that's bad at all. I bought a used car 3 years ago and the top JUST NOW broke.
LOL the dealer wants $15,000. Granted that's for a new setup completely fresh from OEM, not rebuilt.
Yes you can manually raise it and lower but that's a huge PiTA that takes tools. I can't even screw a screw in.
It is absolutely worth fixing, on the contrary. Even today all these years later that roof is still really neat the way it works. It stops the show when I use it in traffic. I haven't located a hardtop yet and I don't really care honestly, it's also not a quick easy thing to install, it takes two people and weighs 74lbs.
Bottom line, if you have a nice SL the top is absolutely positively worth spending the money on to keep going.
Go to 1:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ4abrKiuC8
it makes the most sense
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Jun 18, 2025 at 11:07 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,273
Likes: 204
From: New York
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,273
Likes: 204
From: New York
I think he was looking for a hardtop a while back. I think you lose the convenience with the hardtop. Sometimes you just want to open/close it and you lose it with the hardtop
Last edited by SC300Es; Jun 18, 2025 at 11:20 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,481
Likes: 385
From: ON/NY
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Jun 18, 2025 at 11:55 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 1,610
From: FL
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,511
Likes: 261
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Early 60s AC Cobra. Originally a British design, but most of them in the U.S. were equipped with an N/A Ford 289 c.i. (4.7L) or 427 c.i. (7.0L) V8. A real screamer for its time.........it was arguably, along with the 427 triple-deuce-carburetor Corvette, the fastest American muscle-car of the 1960s.......although some of the meaner 426 Hemi Plymouth Barracudas were also up there.
It's hard to tell if that's an original or a reproduction body kit........ The kits are quite common today.. I see a fair number of them in my area, especially on Saturdays when there is a local show for them.
It's hard to tell if that's an original or a reproduction body kit........ The kits are quite common today.. I see a fair number of them in my area, especially on Saturdays when there is a local show for them.
Last edited by mmarshall; Jun 18, 2025 at 01:14 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,481
Likes: 385
From: ON/NY
The ideal situation, would be to drive the SL with the roof open on perfect days. When the weather gets cooler, the hard top goes on and stays on the next summer In case there is an emergency rain, storm, (Not sure if Tennesee is like Florida) It has been confirmed that the soft top can go back on although it’s a PITA but can be done.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,173
Likes: 528
From: Knoxville, TN
There's nothing to "work around". With a car this great and in the condition it's in, I am absolutely fixing the soft top.
No, that's for everything labor and parts including tax. That's peanuts. It's a $170,000 car in today's money.
The ideal situation, would be to drive the SL with the roof open on perfect days. When the weather gets cooler, the hard top goes on and stays on the next summer In case there is an emergency rain, storm, (Not sure if Tennesee is like Florida) It has been confirmed that the soft top can go back on although it’s a PITA but can be done.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,481
Likes: 385
From: ON/NY
You don't get it. This car is an absolute tank. Everything works. The only thing complex is that top in an R129. It doesn't matter that it's 23 years old... Take care of an old Merc and it will last a verrrrrrry long time.
There's nothing to "work around". With a car this great and in the condition it's in, I am absolutely fixing the soft top.
.
There's nothing to "work around". With a car this great and in the condition it's in, I am absolutely fixing the soft top.
.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Jun 18, 2025 at 02:09 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,173
Likes: 528
From: Knoxville, TN