jfoster99

Does any have any new regarding a hardtop convertible for the E Class..

I currently have an 07 SL550 and my wife has an 11 E350 cabrio.

She loves the way my roof looks compared to hers and I don't blam her..


Any news, rumors, speculation that MB is working on it?? Or perhaps that they are not and never will? any info would be helpful.

Ps I did a search here and got nothing relevant..

BenzMan369

I researched the C207 and A207 for over a year before ordering last month and did not run across any hint of a future hardtop-convertible whatsoever.

It's not a bad idea though.

mb23

I would trade up for the hardtop

BenzMan369

Yes, I think it would be a real step up in design and appearance. Although, I'm told the current soft top's design is solid, quiet and tight as a drum.

When you see the E cabrio next to an E coupe the difference in appearance really stands out, with the cabrio appearing a bit smaller overall. To me, it seems more pronounced in the darker paint/top colors.

Of course, with the top down, no contest!

rhampar

Have the E550 cabrio and wouldn't trade it for a hard top at all. While I haven't been in or driven an SL550 I hear from some owners that after a while you do get squeaks and rattles which to me would be quite annoying. To date after 9 months of ownership I can say my cabrio is as rattle and noise free as the day I bought it. As far as road noise the soft top is very quiet and as quiet as my old CLK500 coupe.

Also if I recall MB did a lot of research between hard tops and soft tops before releasing current cabrio and for soft top to be more appealing to a wider audience of purchasers.

If you really want a hardtop there used to be a UK manufacturer of one piece hardtops (ala R129 SL's) for CLK cabrios who shipped worldwide. Unfortunately I don't remember their website or I would post it. Possibly they're doing one now for the E class.

***UPDATE***
Just found link for CLK hardtop. http://www.clkhardtop.com/index.html Maybe you want to call and see if they can manufacture a HT for the E. Seems to be US based too.

Pennetta

They wont make it a hard top because there are compromises which dont work for this segment. I didnt consider a SL because I have two kids, 7 and 10 yrs old (they can't sit in the front seat yet). I have other vehicles but they like driving in the Cabriolet. Also in the E550 Cab I can fit two golf bags and two change of cloths bags in the trunk with the top down. I play in the Hamptons a lot, so I can head out for a game and bring a friend with his clubs and cloths. You cant do that with the SL. This ability is a direct benefit of the soft top. Also the soft top is lighter in weight which contributes to the E550's faster 0-60 time over the SL550; 5.1 verses 5.3 seconds as per MBUSA.
I personally like the look of the soft top as it still looks like a convertible with the top up, and wont be confused with the coupe. In the SL there is no coupe version; yes the CL but its totally different anyway.

Mtl20v

I sure hope not. It will ruin the classic look which is what makes this car special.

darrenpc

I bought my Cabrio because of the soft top. Love the looks and the large trunk. If it only had a retractable hard top, I wouldn't want it. BMW is catching on, I heard their going away from the hard top, to a soft top.