SLK R171 Roof Rattle.

[dragonheart]

Hi all, recently sold our MX5 and replaced it with an R171 SLK which we absolutely love, all except for 1 issue. There is an annoying rattle coming from the roof, it is coming from the passenger side only and it very much sounds like its coming from underneath the roof lining. It's driving me mad. Has anyone else experienced this? if so how did you fix it? Thinking of removing the roof lining and having a look but unsure how to remove it. I can see 2 screws at the front and 2 at the back so might just be a case of removing them. Any advice welcome.

[RussJ]

Try slkworld.com - lots of info about roof adjustment and fixing rattles.
Russ

[clarki]

I recognise that user name op. Just moved from an mx5 to the slk too. Tried the new car and didn't really like it tbh.

Sorry can't help. Just thought I'd say hi. fk all use me!!

[Big Brin]

I used to have an SLK that suffered this issue. Check out the attached on You tube. I carefully followed this suggestion and the issue went away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noSHjU78dXE

Good luck!

Rgds, Brin

[dragonheart]

Big Brin said:

I used to have an SLK that suffered this issue. Check out the attached on You tube. I carefully followed this suggestion and the issue went away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noSHjU78dXE

Good luck!

Rgds, Brin

Thanks Brin, will take a look.

Garry

[dragonheart]

clarki said:

I recognise that user name op. Just moved from an mx5 to the slk too. Tried the new car and didn't really like it tbh.

Sorry can't help. Just thought I'd say hi. fk all use me!!

Ha ha.

Sold the MX5 at the beginning of October, enjoyed the 3 years of ownership but in our opinion (me & the wife) the SLK is a far better place to be. Not sure why all the haters hate and no I'm not gay nor a hairdresser just think the SLK is superior in ever way.

[Ari]

The other thing to be aware of with these cars is that the seals get dry and dirty and squeak (sometimes it sounds more like a rattle).

There's a good video here that gives you an idea of what to clean. I actually do even more than that, anything rubber basically.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU_h8oP8XGo

What you then need to do is treat them with some of this

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=gummifledge&tbm=sh...

I do mine about once every six months. You don't need the special tool to prop the roof, I use an old (stiff) cardboard box (I prop it further forward so that when the hydraulics 'fail' after a couple of seconds of the ignition being off it flops forward onto it).

SLKs are really sensitive to this.

The other thing I do is wrap a damp chamois around a stiff leather key ring fob and run it up and down the rubber channels that the side windows go up into. You should see the dirt that comes out! I had an Audi Cabrio years ago that would rattle like a bh if you didn't do this.

Some people (including Merc dealers) say they all rattle - they don't if they're looked after properly.

Incidentally, I had two MX5s and am now on my second SLK. Loved the little Mazda, it was great fun when I had a company car as well, but hopeless for long distances (too cramped if you're over 6ft and far too noisy with the top up at speed). The SLK gives me some of the two seater roaster fun but combines it with massive long distance ability. I'll sometimes do three hours straight, have a meeting and three hours back so need something properly capable.

It's not a sportscar (everyone compares it to a Boxster which is a much better sportcar) but it is a brilliant compact GT./roadster (depending on whether the roof is up of down).