SLK cabin noises

I finally got my hands on a brand new SLK a little over 2 weeks ago. It has already been back to the dealer once with a buzzing noise, apparently coming from the passenger windscreen vents, which occurred always around 2000 - 2500 rpm . Evidently it was something loose in the gear selector module - the vents just happened to be where the noise came out.  In for 24 hours and replaced, and that noise is no longer there.  Not a good start to my ownership.

However, I think it's making me paranoid.  I keep hearing little plastic noises from the passenger side, around 50 mph particularly.  They're not loud, but if I'm driving with no radio / music, they attract my attention.  I have this possibly unrealistic expectation that the cabin of a Merc should be a pretty refined place.  What are other people's experiences?

David

its a roadster they are very loud this rattles and plastic noises. You will get used to it.

I've a 2001 SLK 320 with 16K miles.  There are some cabin noises; and there are things you and the dealer can do to lessen them. 

My dealer insulated the seals in my top -- that worked very well and was a warranty item.  Use a good vinyl treatment on your seals.  Keep your door latches adjusted so your doors close snugly -- put a ruler horizontally above the door handle and make door and back quarter panel flush to ruler.  I adjust them every 6 months or so -- simple to do!

I replaced the web windscreen with a plexiglas one -- velcro'd to the roll bars.  I use 1/4 inch thick and cut it myself using jig saw.  This seems to tie together some of the elements that were producing some noise.  Also, I can see cars with antlers behind me better, even at night

I STILL have noise from the back panel (flat, behind the seats) that covers the top when it is down.  I found that if I wedge a few business cards under that panel (from within the trunk) it quiets it down -- I've not yet taken it to the dealer to get this truly adjusted. 

My dealer (Heinz Geitz, San Diego) worked very hard to suppress the noises and mostly succeeded.  Now that I've found the last!? noise source, I'm hopeful we can get it quieted.

Also, the instrument stack in the center (esp the lowest open bin next to ashtray) creaks when my knee rests against it.  They lubed this area with a vaseline like substance which helped considerably.

 

My 2005 SLK purchased Nov 2006 Certified with 18K has always had the creaks as the body flexes; backing out of the drive for example.  I improved it by cleaning the rubber bits on the top, around windows, trunk with a damp cloth.  Also, I wiped the rubber bits with silicone spray, sprayed on a cloth or wipe. Check out Bill's Den

http://www.billsden.org/mercedes/slk/docs/

Specifically:

http://www.billsden.org/fileadmin/media/mercedes/slk/docs/dtb_p_b_77_30_30b.pdf

DTB (Dealer Tech Bulletin) on the topic.

Often, you can track down the squeak while the car is sitting still.  Move piece around to see what squeaks.  Then focus on that part.

Recognize that a SLK has LOTS more movable parts than a fixed top coupe.