Maybe because my car is still new but I found it incredibly difficult to get the bonnet to shut and lock into place... took several tries and when I thought it was in, the dash screen started beeping!

I had the same problem with mine before. The right side won't sit flush and you really have to give it a good push to close properly.

I brought it back to the dealer the same day and they fixed it under warranty. No more annoying warning alerts since then. Dealer said they have to realign/ readjust the locking mechanism.

Should be able to close it by dropping it from about a foot .

Everytime I tried doing that drop from about 20cm (per the manual) it doesn't lock in :S

After a certain point, I just drop it.

Be careful opening it! I almost dinged my hood on the motor for the garage door opener!

I have to slam mine

I tried mine. After I slowly pressed down the hood just pass the resistance point, the hood dropped down and locked.

Perhaps you are a bit exaggerating but this is closest to what I would say, if compared to what other forum members say in this thread.

On my 221 the hood still closes if I drop it from decent distance but it does not work any more with our 204 or the 212, looks like they've changed the design a bit. I do have to assist the hood a bit while dropping it and then it closes.

Anyone wanna take a video of it? I seriously feel stupid trying to close it by dropping it only to see it not catch.

Okay tried it again and realized I lied a little, but the pressure I put once it passes a certain point is extremely minimal. More like I'm guiding it than pushing on it. Mine is a 2009 W204 MFG in 8/08 IIRC.

I have a video in .MOV format about 4.2 MB, I failed uploading it, not sure if it was caused by wrong format or too large size.

I think imageshack accepts movie formats... if not, Youtube might?

My dealer told me that I would need to apply some force when closing the bonnet to ensure that the magnetic locks are secured

Hmm I find wearing gloves helps me push it shut without leaving handprints or feeling too rough on the aluminium hood.

I never know 'magnetic' lock. Where is it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE7YAUHClMc
After the point of resistance, it is the gravity that is enough to lock the hood with 2nd latch not just the 1st, like the door. If I lower the hood (not drop it shown in the video), I need to push the hood down with a normal force, never difficult to reach the 2nd latch.

If I ever dropped my hood from that small of a height it would NEVER close fully. Haha. I definitely have to slam it to get it to sit flush on BOTH sides. If I were to drop it like in the video my passenger side lock would definitely not be locked fully and the hood would look stupid and not level/even/flush.

There are two spring loaded things nearby two latches. They don't seem to be tension adjustable, but I am not sure of that.