Leaking soft top - E Class 62 plate

[Sandgrounder]

Hi all, I have had my 62 Plate E250 Cabriolet for 6 months now and absolutely love it.
However, on Friday, it was lashing down all day and when I returned to car after work, water was dripping in on both passenger and driver side where roof meets the side pillars.

I checked the seal and drain holes on Saturday with no signs of anything wrong. Since then it has virtually been a monsoon in the north west, yet no more leaks for now (waiting to get back to car after work today with some trepidation).

So, I've ordered some waterproofing penetrating spray from Mercedez dealer as I noticed the rain now seems to be absorbing into the cloth as opposed to running off it. I am clearly hoping this solves the issue as there is nothing else obvious, but wondering if anyone else has had this?

And if so, what did you do to fix it.

Thanks

[Orchid1]

Try applying some of this on the rubber trim around the roof edge and pillars of the car and see if it helps.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gummi-Pflege-Rubber-Stick...

[PositronicRay]

Orchid1 said:

Try applying some of this on the rubber trim around the roof edge and pillars of the car and see if it helps.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gummi-Pflege-Rubber-Stick...

Gummi Pflege is terrific stuff, other silicon lubes are just not the same. Only use a little, but reapply it every few months. My SL is now water tight, but used to leak from the top of the "A" pillars, it took a few goes.

[Sandgrounder]

Thanks for the tip. I'll try spraying the top with Mercedez penetrating stuff first, then if there is any further problem, I'll give the 'gummi lube' a go.

Much appreciated.

[hilly10]

There is no way the water will come through the fabric as there is a waterproof membrane in the form of a sandwich that will not let water through. The mohair top layer is more decorative then functional, let's face it you would not want a vinyl outer face would you, very 70s.

Edited by hilly10 on Saturday 27th August 19:09

[Sandgrounder]

Thanks Paul, wasn't aware! Well, I've got the spray now so will still use it, but perhaps the seal needs some focus after all!!

Cheers.

[XMT]

PositronicRay said:

Orchid1 said:

Try applying some of this on the rubber trim around the roof edge and pillars of the car and see if it helps.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gummi-Pflege-Rubber-Stick...

Gummi Pflege is terrific stuff, other silicon lubes are just not the same. Only use a little, but reapply it every few months. My SL is now water tight, but used to leak from the top of the "A" pillars, it took a few goes.

I have just bought this stuff too and everyone who has a convertible recommends it.
I think many of us (inc me) really fail to understand how important these seals are and to have them conditioned by this product gives them their life back.

I tested the product as I tend not to beleive anything, but my rubber was little hard on some areas of the hood and it did seem to chatter on extremely bad roads. I applied this to one area and it make the rubber supple, plump & flexible which has helped greatly.

I cant wait to clean and apply it everywhere.

Most of the stuff I have read where people have said they had a leak - they have cleaned and applied this and its stopped the leaks within 1-3 applications.

Like others have said I plan to do it every 3/4 months to keep it tight!

Edited by XMT on Thursday 1st September 09:52

[Wraakian]

Hi,the same problem I have with the passenger side above the window where there is a join. In rain it drips in along the joint. I have used Gummi Pflege a couple of times and this did nothing to stop the leak. I too have noticed that the outer roof layer gets very saturated and wondered if using the Mercedes fabric sealant did the job for you. Can you please let me know either way. Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Autoglym Cleaner/Sealant is best I've used, & it's only £20 from Halfords it normally lasts around 6 months & I used to get two hits from it.

[andy43]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Autoglym Cleaner/Sealant is best I've used, & it's only £20 from Halfords it normally lasts around 6 months & I used to get two hits from it.

Yep, I've used that on soft tops - get a good coat on when it's 100% dry and the water just beads and runs straight off the fabric.

[Sandgrounder]

Well, well, I don't often look at the Mercedez forum, just the TVR S forum, so imagine my surprise when I see one of the very few topics I have created!

In summary, I never bothered buying any gummy pflege, as the issue was once in a blue moon. Having said that, it did it again recently, much to the annoyance of the wife in the passenger seat, but at least drivers side was ok.

As regards the waterproof coatings, I have used both (autoglym and Mercedez dealer spray). The Autoglym is by far the best, but make sure the whole car is covered as it makes a real mess if you are stupid enough to try it on a breezy day (trust me, I know).

I don't think the roof getting saturated has anything to do with the occasional leak.

Hope this helps.

[PoshPorsche]

Hello, I am pleased to say that I did get to the bottom of the issue with water sloshing around in my 2014 eclass convertible when I visited my local MB main dealer. After waiting for 45 mins someone came out to offer to book my car in, when I explained that I was disappointed having waited so long just to be told they would book me in, I pr4ssed the issue and explained that surely someone knew what us was. A few minutes later they said that the did know and they could sort it out there and then but it would take up to an hour and cost an estimated £140. When the mechanic came to take may car I popped out and he said he knew what it was and he would show me. Sure enough he got the car up on the ramp and showed me two black rubber grommets at the rear of the sills just behind the jacking point which he removed and clear water came gushing out. He explained that they have a small hole in the centre to let water out but they get blocked hence sill fills full of water. He said they are designed to let water through which surprised me, he recommended leaving the grommets out. I am now in discussions with MB and my local dealer whey I had to pay £140 for what was a 5 minute job and and a known issue/design fault.
For anyone experiencing this worrying and potentially costly issue, easy fix. Happy days.

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got it sorted but I to would be annoyed at being charged £140 for a 5 minute job.

[Barreti]

Dragging this old thread up from the depths in the hope someone might have found a solution to the leaking roofs on an E class cabrio.
When parked in heavy rain my 12 plate E350 collects water in the corners of the plastic trim which covers the header rail inside the car.
I’ve tried both the stick and spray Gummi Pflege on the header seal, roof seals and door seals and cleaned the drains in the seals down both A pillars but today after rain overnight it dumped about 4 tablespoons of water on the passenger seat.
As I’ve got perforated leather seats (heated and cooled) it means just wiping off this water doesn’t dry the seat fully so my wife gets a damp backside almost every time she gets in the car.

Any ideas out there?

[andy43]

Barreti said:

Dragging this old thread up from the depths in the hope someone might have found a solution to the leaking roofs on an E class cabrio.
When parked in heavy rain my 12 plate E350 collects water in the corners of the plastic trim which covers the header rail inside the car.
I’ve tried both the stick and spray Gummi Pflege on the header seal, roof seals and door seals and cleaned the drains in the seals down both A pillars but today after rain overnight it dumped about 4 tablespoons of water on the passenger seat.
As I’ve got perforated leather seats (heated and cooled) it means just wiping off this water doesn’t dry the seat fully so my wife gets a damp backside almost every time she gets in the car.

Any ideas out there?

You had a Griff and you're complaining about mildly moist?

[bluewing26]

Barreti said:

Dragging this old thread up from the depths in the hope someone might have found a solution to the leaking roofs on an E class cabrio.
When parked in heavy rain my 12 plate E350 collects water in the corners of the plastic trim which covers the header rail inside the car.
I’ve tried both the stick and spray Gummi Pflege on the header seal, roof seals and door seals and cleaned the drains in the seals down both A pillars but today after rain overnight it dumped about 4 tablespoons of water on the passenger seat.
As I’ve got perforated leather seats (heated and cooled) it means just wiping off this water doesn’t dry the seat fully so my wife gets a damp backside almost every time she gets in the car.

Any ideas out there?

I am having the exact same issue as you. I posted a video on YouTube today in the hope for some help online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhllzBYGHlM

Sills are dry, drains are clear and so i can't figure out how water get in there.
Did you manage to find out where the water is coming from and resolved it?

[Barreti]

Hi Bluewing

Yours is a convertible same as mine and same year and looks to have exactly the same problem
If you take the plastic trim off the header rail - its just 4 screws, you will be able to poke your fingers around at the end of the roof rails. I'm pretty sure mine is filling the front metal rail with water but how the hell its getting there is beyond me.

[Hart Zoob]

Hi - I have a 64 plate MercedesE220 convertible which has exactly the same problem. I took it to Basingstoke Mercedes dealer - they said they had to realign the passenger door and window which took 5.4 hours Labour and cost £390 !!

[trevalvole]

Although it looks like the various issues have been solved, I thought I might as well post the following having gone through a few issues to find it:

In the November '22 issue of the Mercedes-Benz Club Gazette, there's a letter about leaks on a 2013 E350 cabriolet, and the author recommends http://www.cemoore.co.uk/ who were apparently so confident of fixing the issue that they offered to give him his money back if they didn't manage to. I've no connection etc.