kentarou

normal? anyone have the same problem....it's like there will be a line of water on the driver's window.....thx....

brent_strong

Everything I've heard has STRONGLY suggested that it's a bad idea to take a convertible through an automatic car wash. I'd just wash it by hand.

duboseq

Im not sure but I would imagine, do to the preasure generated by the car wash, it is forcing the water pass the seals.

If I were you, just wash it by hand.

KungFu0nU

I've always heard the same thing.

Powerful jets of water and stretched material on a metal frame, is probably just asking for problems.

BigpoppaHurtm

I've only done it twice. First time cause I didnt know. Second because I was too lazy to hand wash. Trust be me its better to have a dirty car than one with a leaky roof.

xviper

The original poster didn't exactly say he took it through a commercial car wash. He could still be actually washing it at home.
Depending upon how well treated the rubber seals are, I get this too. It's not a big deal since it's just a tiny little dribble at the top front corner of the driver's side window. What's more important is that there are no leaks when the car is parked or driven in the rain and mine has never done this.

s2kmaniac81

/\/\/\I agree I dont think the orignal poster was talking about an automatic carwash. I woudl avoid spraying a direct stream at the sills of the top. I use a fan spray when doign this. I have a small leak problem. My sills leak every now and then in a heavy rain. This also occurs if it's raining and I open the door to get in or out then it starts to leak and I can't seem to get it to stop. Im not sure why, but it doesn't pose that big of a problem.

xviper

This is because we have a "frameless" window. When the door is closed, the glass presses up against the rubber seal. That's the only thing keeping the water out. If the rubber is old, dry and porous, water will wick its way in at the tiniest space. If the glass is adjusted properly and the rubber is treated regularly, it will repell the water. Regardless of this, the water will still form a bead along the rubber/glass border. When you open the door, guess what happens?
Like you said, this is not a big deal. Unless you want a goofy looking convertible with framed windows ........................................

smartson

Friend of mine has a M-B SLK (prev gen). With its hardtop, she still gets water leak through car wash (auto or manual). What should I expect from the S?

Honestly, I took my S through auto-wash couple dozen times before I lowered with coilover. I always took a towel with me in the car to catch the leak. I did it few times with my kid besides me. It was kinda fun.

silk2k

i take my s through the touchless car wash when i go on drives through the mountains here in Colorado. my 04 s2k leaks and my 06 s2k does not leak as much. i think the cabin pressure is a little tighter. i do have to have use more force to close the door on the 06.