First off, allow me to note that I had a flawless experience with my SmartTOP module on my 2013 SL (R231) -- it was easy to install, easy to program, offered a couple very nice "bonuses" (Eco Stop Start kill) and it went with the car when I sold it. I even featured it over and over in my "for sale" video:
But I had a different experience with my 2019 S560 Cabriolet. The module for this car is model STHFMZ4 and is designed for: C-Class (A205) Model Year 2016+; E-Class (A238) Model Year 2018+; and S-Class (A217) Model Year 2016+

FIRST, it was MUCH more difficult to install. This is not the fault of SmartTOP, but because the convertible top control module on the A217 is buried behind several panels and other components and required assistance from a slender teenager with small hands to actually get in the trunk to reach the connections. I am not kidding; it could NOT have been installed without a person of this physical characteristic.

SECOND -- and this was the show-stopper -- while opening the top through the SmartTOP module, the top FROZE in the spot where the tonneau is fully vertical (open), threw an error code to the car's control module and COULD NOT BE RESET by me. None of the SmartTOP controls or programming functions worked. The tonneau can eventually be gently lowered by hand to drive the car, but only a factory dealer can reset the error code(s), at a cost of about $200. This happened the first time after about 4 months from installation, and I thought it could be an anomaly -- perhaps from double-pressing pressing the controls or something. Not an anomoly. It happened again a couple months later (another $200) and again another couple months after that (another $200). Three strikes and "you're out!"

I did check that the module had the latest software version, but I never did ask Mods4Cars to replace it. Why? The dealer said they would be happy to keep charging me $200 to reset error codes every other month, but if anything ever went wrong with the MB top control module, it would not be covered under warranty as long as the SmartTop module was present. I really had no realistic choice but to uninstall it completely (with assistance from the slender teenager).

My conclusion: This has been a $1000 learning experience. Other A217 owners who are considering a SmartTOP should be aware of my experience and decide for themselves. I will miss my SmartTOP functionality and will have to HOLD my top controls to get the top up and down (oh, my!). To have a wonderful car like this, I am still one of the luckiest guys in the world!

Other car pics of my cabriolet are at https://johnandmike.smugmug.com/Cars...560-Cabriolet/

 

Want to sell me your SmartTop cheap instead of having it sit in the garage collect dust?