E-Class Coupe (C238) & Cabrio (A238) 2017 - E200, E220, E300, E350, E400, E450 [Coupes &Cabriolets]

Soft top roof concerns

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 04-02-2019, 02:54 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
adityaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 21
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Mazda
Soft top roof concerns

Calling all soft top convertible owners, I am curious as to whether you are worried parking the car or not, for fear of the top being slashed etc. I have accepted the fact that coupes look better, etc etc. But if I am following my heart then convertibles are too much fun to miss out on.

The common arguments are:
-"if a thief wants to break in, they will" Sure, they will, but cutting the top is FAR more silent than breaking the window
-"leave nothing of value inside the car" well, my concern is not so much people stealing my belonging - it is idiots who simply want to harm the car/roof and not steal anything.
-"adds weight etc etc etc" well not everyone cares about sportiness first and foremost. Not everyone. Many just want to relax and cruise along...in which handling and performance is not THAT important.....many like me value comfort and luxury over performance etc.

My only concern is parking it somewhere and having it slashed. Is this problem that common? To my knowledge, no? I park my car in a garage so its fine but im more concerned about when I am going out shopping/parking in places etc.
Please dont say 'dont lock the car'. I dont understand why I should sacrifice my WHOLE CAR for the roof....Yes I am concerned about the soft top, but leaving my car unlocked is just unthinkable.

I ask also because we are seeing far less hard top convertibles. SLC going away, SL new gen most likely to be soft top. We have only what, MX5 RF(which is not even a real, FULL convertible), ferrari portofino, mclaren 720s spider. That is pretty much it. Next gen 4 series is 100% soft top too. I seriously do not understand. Literally every review I have read on,, say, MX5, they all agree the RF is far better looking than the soft top.

So, soft top convertible owners, answer this simple and direct question – are you worried, or used to be worried and not anymore, about whether your top will be slashed by someone? or am I just overthinking this, I should just enjoy it. If it happens, it happens, but wont let this stop me from buying a convertible?

EDIT: Another thing I want to ask: If the roof is cut, will the car alarm go off? I assume yes, just like trying to open a locked door again and again?

Last edited by adityaw; 04-02-2019 at 07:21 AM.
Old 04-02-2019, 07:22 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
sackboydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Virginia
Posts: 554
Received 60 Likes on 52 Posts
2019 E450 Cabriolet, 2020 GLS450
Originally Posted by adityaw
So, soft top convertible owners, answer this simple and direct question – are you worried, or used to be worried and not anymore, about whether your top will be slashed by someone? or am I just overthinking this, I should just enjoy it. If it happens, it happens, but wont let this stop me from buying a convertible?
not really. A long while ago (mid-1990’s) I owned a rag top and nothing ever happened.

Could it happen? Sure. Honestly I’m far more paranoid about someone dinging my car with their door than anything else. I also have issues leaving the top down with me not in the car. Im more worried some a-hole is going to pour something in the car or something else (you know... “I’ll show this ‘rich’ *******!”). Only time I leave the top down is if I can constantly see the car. Of course my beautiful car is covered in pollen now—don’t really want to have to get that out of the inside.

The other day at Costco I parked next to a latter-year SL550 with the top down. I was stunned the person left the top down while in the store shopping. And it wasn’t a quick in and out either. The SL was still next to mine when I came out — and we all know there isn’t a quick trip to Costco.

Last edited by sackboydad; 04-02-2019 at 07:25 AM.
Old 04-02-2019, 07:26 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
adityaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 21
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Mazda
Originally Posted by sackboydad
not really. A long while ago (mid-1990’s) I owned a rag top and nothing ever happened.

Could it happen? Sure. Honestly I’m far more paranoid about someone dinging my car with their door than anything else. I also have issues leaving the top down with me not in the car. Im more worried some a-hole is going to pour something in the car or something else (you know... “I’ll show this ‘rich’ *******!”). Only time I leave the top down is if I can constantly see the car. Of course my beautiful car is covered in pollen now—don’t really want to have to get that out of the inside.

The other day at Costco I parked next to a latter-year SL550 with the top down. I was stunned the person left the top down while in the store shopping. And it wasn’t a quick in and out either. The SL was still next to mine when I came out — and we all know there isn’t a quick trip to Costco.
Thank you for your answer. I have edited my OP to ask whether cutting the top will trigger the car alarm?
Old 04-02-2019, 08:41 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
400ixl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 468
Received 67 Likes on 60 Posts
E250 AMG Sport Convertible
Firstly, the Coupe looks better than the convertible? Don't think so, they couldn't even fit proper rear side windows in the Coupe.

I can't remember the last time I read or heard of anyone having the roof slashed as part of a break in. Far easier to smash the window or just open the door if keyless go is fitted. As a convertible owner, its not something I think about. Not parking in places where the car may be broken into yes, but not from a roof perspective.

On the comment about parking it with the roof down. I will sometimes do this, no problem. There is nothing in the car that is accessible and worth stealing even if someone did go through the interior. Usually would only do it in a an area where there are people milling about.
The following users liked this post:
rustybear3 (04-02-2019)
Old 04-02-2019, 04:15 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
400ixl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 468
Received 67 Likes on 60 Posts
E250 AMG Sport Convertible
The doors etc will still be alarmed with the roof down but the volumetric alarm won't.

If the roof is up then the volumetric alarm will be on. Cutting the roof won't set it off, but any access through the resultant hole would do.
Old 04-02-2019, 04:19 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
sackboydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Virginia
Posts: 554
Received 60 Likes on 52 Posts
2019 E450 Cabriolet, 2020 GLS450
Originally Posted by 400ixl
The doors etc will still be alarmed with the roof down but the volumetric alarm won't.

If the roof is up then the volumetric alarm will be on. Cutting the roof won't set it off, but any access through the resultant hole would do.
ok color me stupid but what is a volumetric alarm? 😬
Old 04-02-2019, 04:20 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
400ixl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 468
Received 67 Likes on 60 Posts
E250 AMG Sport Convertible
It's the ultra sonic sensors that monitor for movement inside the car
Old 04-02-2019, 04:22 PM
  #8  
Super Member
 
sackboydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Virginia
Posts: 554
Received 60 Likes on 52 Posts
2019 E450 Cabriolet, 2020 GLS450
Originally Posted by 400ixl
It's the ultra sonic sensors that monitor for movement inside the car
Top down seems like the perfect time to have that kind alarm! Although I’d augment mine with either a built-in taser, baseball bat or Glock depending on which state I’m currently in 😬😬😘😘
Old 04-02-2019, 04:27 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
400ixl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 468
Received 67 Likes on 60 Posts
E250 AMG Sport Convertible
It's volumetric because it measures the volume of air which it can't do with the roof down.
Old 04-02-2019, 04:29 PM
  #10  
Super Member
 
sackboydad's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Virginia
Posts: 554
Received 60 Likes on 52 Posts
2019 E450 Cabriolet, 2020 GLS450
Originally Posted by 400ixl
It's volumetric because it measures the volume of air which it can't do with the roof down.
true.... I’ll settle for sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their heads
Old 04-02-2019, 04:41 PM
  #11  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
rustybear3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Greater Cleveland area
Posts: 1,258
Received 151 Likes on 129 Posts
2019 Dune Silver Metallic E-450 Mercedes Cabriolet NEW Mercedes 2020 GLC300 graphite gray SUV
I have many a soft top over the years, and never once (knock on wood) have they ever been messed with. I'm more concern with keying and dings from doors than anything else.
The following 2 users liked this post by rustybear3:
DFW_Neal (04-14-2019), pdeacon (04-02-2019)
Old 04-03-2019, 02:23 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
mickhoog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 329
Received 44 Likes on 40 Posts
W213 Night Edition 220d. (ML250 SLK350AMG)
ive never had a problem with my soft top
the only time ive ever seen them being slashed in "No Mans Land" the 80s movie with Charlie Sheen :-)
Old 04-03-2019, 09:39 PM
  #13  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
2012 merc amg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Venice Florida
Posts: 4,542
Received 669 Likes on 525 Posts
2018 S560 and 2019 E450 Wagon.
Never a problem with me. I think Alarms and Cameras these days keep people more honest.
Old 04-14-2019, 07:42 PM
  #14  
Member
 
DFW_Neal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Springville, UT
Posts: 101
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
2015 S550 ordered
I’ve driven 4 soft top convertibles, including BMW, Audi and my current E53 and never had a problem or worried about it. But then I don’t do douchebag things like take two parking spaces or things like that. But like Rustybear I worry more about the idiot parked next to me dinging my car.
Old 05-25-2019, 01:37 PM
  #15  
Member
 
jumpman726's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 246
Received 53 Likes on 43 Posts
2012 E550 Sedan
Interesting question. It immediately reminded me of a YouTube video I saw about the C-class convertible. Click the link below and fast forward to about the 2:12 mark when he starts to talk about the top. This Mercedes Benz salesman said the top is made of a similar material to bulletproof vests and specifically says, "There's no knife that could puncture this material." I find it hard to believe, but there you go.

Old 05-31-2019, 10:16 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
pl626's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 279
Received 56 Likes on 47 Posts
2015 E400
Originally Posted by jumpman726
..fast forward to about the 2:12 mark when he starts to talk about the top. This Mercedes Benz salesman said the top is made of a similar material to bulletproof vests and specifically says, "There's no knife that could puncture this material." I find it hard to believe, but there you go.
and at 2:49 he proceeds to 'knife' the top, except he doesn't have a knife. I don't think I've ever seen in the 2019 marketing material any mention about the top being knife-proof.

Curious if the OP ever got over his fears. I never really thought about those issues much. My rule of thumb, convertible or not, never leave anything in plain site. I think neighborhood also makes a big difference as well as secured and covered parking. That said, my neighborhood is near a bunch of townhouses without any covered parking, but there are plenty of convertibles. Funny thing is, we've had a history of vandalism and theft from parked cars, but never any soft top damage to my knowledge.
Old 06-03-2019, 02:01 PM
  #17  
Member
 
happyinboca's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 83
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
2019 e 450 cabriolet
no security concerns but I am very careful not to park underneath a tree
Old 06-03-2019, 02:10 PM
  #18  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
2012 merc amg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Venice Florida
Posts: 4,542
Received 669 Likes on 525 Posts
2018 S560 and 2019 E450 Wagon.
I can imagine too if these cars are parked outside especially in hot sun places the tops fade. My car is a garage queen though soon worries there.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Soft top roof concerns



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:42 AM.