So Cal Sam

I was parked on a street (parallel) just leaving one of our favorite burger places (In n' Out for those of you from Southern California) and was in the process of dropping my top when this guy in front of me starts backing up so far that I thought he was going to hit me. I put the car in reverse to keep this from happening (thank God I did because I think he would have) and my roof stopped operating in mid flight. I thought, oh no it's stuck but I just pulled back on the operating switch and it resumed moving to the full top down position - whew! Guess I found out inadvertantly that the roof stops operating when you put the car in gear. Is that right or should it have kept operating?

Scruffyone

The roof will stop if the car starts moving. You will also get a red warning on your display. I tried to put my roof down at a red light once. The light suddenly turned green and I started to slowly move ahead and the roof stopped dead. I had to finish going through the intersection and pull off the road to finish the operation.

SLcharger

Thats all right. The car is supposed to stop the roff from being either opened or closed, if you start driving ( put the car in gear will do ). This is an anoying thing, since it would be convinient to be able to work the roff at low speed. Other cars can do that. I will try investigate if this " misshaps " from MB can be overruled.

Scotsman

Roof will go up or down if you keep below 5kmh. If you go above it the panel lights up and get an audible warning and stops. Stop and retry to finish.

ruykava

i suppose otherwise it disturbs the aerodynamics too much and might de-stablize the car. just my own thought though, no concrete proof =)

but yeah, i kinda wish either (1) the roof goes up / down faster, or (2) it works while moving at, say, below 40km/h (which is pretty darned slow)

LovinMercedes

This must have changed because when I had my SL's the roof would operate as long as I was going very slowly. I am not sure about reverse but I know for a fact that my car's roof would close when moving very slowly.

When I would drive into my driveway I would slow down, go very slowly toward the garage and start putting the top up as I was getting closer to the actual garage.

Wonder when they changed that?

Scotsman

Forward or reverse, as long as you're going slowly. I put it down reversing out and like Lovin, up going slowly up the drive.

ajf1

From what I understand the porsche 911 top can operate up to speeds of 40 mph. I remember this was one of the features they promoted when the 996 turbo cab's came out, could be wrong about the debut but I do remember the 40mph speed.

SLcharger

Problem is the load from the wind on this huge roof. If driving to fast, if you are lucky, the roof only stops working, because the motors go in overload mode, if unlucky, the whole will be bend or otherwise damaged.

I honestly think that working the roof at speeds up to 15-20 mph would be possible, without risking any damage.

Scruffyone

Even IF the roof could take higher speeds, the trunk lid would be the weakest link.

RadSteve

Do you really think that doing this while reversing is wise? You can't possibly see behind you when the trunk is up!

So Cal Sam

Well, I guess there's not a concensus yet but I think it should not operate while the vehicle is moving in any direction as a safety precaution IMHO (i.e. rear visibility blocked, wind catching it and damaging it etc.) Thanks for all the posts.

SLcharger

Scruffy, you hit it right on the spot.

Scotsman

It's a long, wide, empty drive.

Gunther

I think the function stops roof movement because if it didn't some idiot would be driving down the expressway and put the top down - at 60mph. MB probably doesn't want to spend time and $ replacing that many tops. Therefore, to prevent people from being stupid - a growing trend here in the US since everyone seems to chant the mantra "but nobody told me not o..." - MB has taken that option away from you.

It's the same reason MB limits the range for putting the top down by remote or does have the top go up automatically if the car senses rain/water. Because some moron will sever his arm playing with it and sue MB - and the jury will hear relentlessly "they should have thought about that."

Anyone remember someone suing McDonalds because he/she got coffee in the drive-thru, set it between his/her legs and spilled it?? McDonald lost because the coffee was too hot??

We as consumers are doing it to ourselves. It's the old addage of one ruins it for the masses.

Sorry not meaning to rant, but I live in the legal world and I see it every day. There are innumerable functions that could be put into these cars that would make them even greater, but all auto manufacturers have to balance the ability to offer features against the potential stupidity of the human being.

Scotsman

Yup, you're right Gunther. Another warning on a packet of nuts for nut-allergy people - "May contain nuts".

Wish I could remember Homer Simpson's warning about not eating something really idiotic. He proudly says "That's there because of me". Wish I could say "Only in America" but not any more. No offence to our US chums!

Gunther

Hey Scots...sorry to hear that it's spreading to your shores as well. Although I do have to believe that Americans have still cornered the market on being overly litigious and ignorant.

Btw...heading your way in May. Will in Edinburgh for a week to see some friends. Can I borrow your car while we're there? LOL.

Scotsman

No problem Gunther. I'd better give it a good wash!

Enjoy Edinburgh!

Scruffyone

I had just paid $$ for a large SEALED bag of cashews before I got on a plane once. Some alergic person had the flight attendants confiscate everybodys nuts(no wisecracks now). The bag was in my briefcase but wifey blew the wistle on me. No compensation given.

RadSteve

You can't be serious! Makes me always want to carry at least one free peanut in my pocket... And just what did they DO with the confiscated nuts anyway? Open the door and throw them out? Good lord.

Gunther

No need to wash it Scot...my parter is retired...and details cars for the fun of it. (and yes, I drive through mud puddles to give him something to do).