ChrisB

The E Class we now own will never accommodate top down driving. We really used to love driving the SL500 ... and still do - but not as much.

The E Class has become the go to car for driving around town on the weekends & shorter road trips.

Before having the E Class, we used to drive the SL500 every time, when the weather was decent.

Would a R230 or higher version make the SL experience more comfortable or engaging?

Should we look for a convertible E Class?

Does anyone here in the Sedan Forum have experience with SL & E Class convertibles?

Your thoughts?

New cars are out of the Budget.

DFWdude

TexasCarsDirect.com has several 2016 E400 and E550 convertibles available. They are 2-doors, of course.

A 4-dr sedan -- by definition -- is not a convertible. Such a car would look wierd as a convertible, as well

ChrisB

Well an E Class convetible is certainly not a 2 seater Roadster ... but the E Class convertible does look pretty good. I my opinion. Although must be quite rare - I have never seen one on the road.

The wind blocker used to close off the back seat ... but modern E Class convertibles have a screen that deflects wind at the top of the windshield.

Jack McCarty

The BEST Mercedes (of 6) I’ve EVER owned was a 1994 W124 E320 Cabriolet, purchased at 4 years old from Fletcher Jones in Newport for $50,000 & 33,000 miles.
I know that’s now considered a Vintage / Collector Car, and light years away from the “electronic bells & whistles” of the W212/213 models, but want to chime in about real quality when the E’s were hand-crated & the car frame was an ACTUAL E, NOT A C!

if you’re considering a W212 convertible, be aware that MB FORGOT the UV component in the wood varnish for 2 years, 2010-2011.
if wood trim looks faded or scorched, MB won’t cover it after warranty, and new wood kit will cost you + or - $3000 with MB installation.
see my posts on W212 E’s about Engine Mounts, throttle delay, low profile tire damage, Engine issues & the bad wood trim.

An open air E is great if you’ve researched the mechanical issues with a MB Mechanic!
Get a full Mechanic’s Report!

kajtek1

I've got dissapointed with SL500 in Las Vegas, when my wife hated it.
Even with hardtop on, it was noisy, but than I seen newer cars have hardtop sliding into the trunk, what seems to be totally new animal.
So when rag top is out of question for me, the automatic hard top would.
Than some sedans come with pano roof, what would be a step between?

Johnny Rad

Isn’t the E-coupe and E-convertible a C-class underneath?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_E-Class

Jack McCarty

Pano problems abound / check out my comments & those of others on the 212
threads. Adding 200 lbs. OVER the Center of Gravity changes driving dynamics, often leading to noise as vehicle flexes with less roof rigidity. Drains & rails need regular maintenance. Headliners have been removed in some repairs to tighten frames & bolts. All these costs are not covered once the 4 year warranty is over & can cost over $1000.
Glass is only TEMPERED, not LAMINATED.
Glass can break! Heat build-up can be another problem as the sunshades don’t
block like solid roofs. Shades can break down
leading to more driver costs.

Jack McCarty

The OP is right - the current E Cabriolet &
Convertible are really updated CLK, C-frame
vehicles. Truth in Advertising should apply!
The last TRUE E Coupe & Convertible are from 1995.

aquinob

My neighbor has been driving CLK's for the last 4 or 5 years now. He likes driving a convertible and the cars are comfortable and reliable. They have the front end of an E class but are built on the C chassis. His newest version is a 2009 that had around 70K on when he bought it. I don't think MB is trying to fool anybody that they are buying an E and getting something less. IIRC the newer E convertibles are sold as E's but I think they are still a different chassis then the full size sedan.

Jack McCarty

Just want to emphasize to the E sedan owners looking for an E Convertible that they will get a C frame as the Coupe & Convertible
have C frames. They should test drive & adjust expectations...

aquinob

You got some kind of ax to grind? Your posts seem to indicate so. Chill a bit, you made your point. They are still nice cars. Only thing I would mention to prospective convertible buyers is that they can be a bit "Jiggly" meaning they may experience more body shake since they don't have a full roof structure to tie the front and rear sections together. Usually the frame is beefed up some to try and take some of that stress. But I've ridden in an 02 and an 09 and they still ride fine. My neighbor loves em.

400ixl

E Class convertible of this era is the A207 platform and there is a section of the forum for those models at https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-c...brio-a207-141/ where the OP has already posted a duplicate thread to this.

It is indeed based on a C Class platform, but actually still has rear legroom better than most in its class. It is a true 4 seater convertible and not a 2+2. They look like an E class inside and out but very few parts interchange with the W212 platform bodywork / interior wise.

Best to use the other thread as it is in the right place.