for the 1993 model year mercedes benz is once again offering a four-seat
convertible the new 300c e cabriolet is based on the 300c e coupe and revives a
mercedes-benz tradition of pairing an exclusive convertible model with a coupe
the torsional flex and vibration usually associated with the lack of a fixed roof
structure have been minimized by engineering several modifications into
the bodyshell increased sheetmetal thicknesses and additional
reinforcements can be found on the longitudinal rails in front wall in the
a-pillars and the windshield frame which is engineered to distribute impact
forces in the event of a frontal or side-impact a die-cast aluminum strut is
bolted between the instrument panel crossmember and the transmission tunnel
additional reinforcements has been provided to the footwells the b-pillar
basis the rear tunnel area and the rear seat crossmember the rectangular steel
box behind the rear seats that houses the soft-top Assembly has load-bearing
sidewalls that provide transverse stiffening diagonal braces underneath
the frame floor keep flex to a minimum multiple hinges are used to prevent
contact between the trunk lid and the soft top compartment cover
in addition to reinforcing the bodyshell mercedes-benz engineers developed
inertia wait dampers that are attached two components that are subject to
vibration the movement of the damper counteracts the vibration and thus
cancels it out with the help of computer modeling the engineers were able to
pinpoint the locations of the greatest structural vibration dampers are located
on the left front shock absorber dome in the roof frame and in the trunk well
similar to the r129 the 300c cabriolet is equipped with an integrated roll bar
that provides protection in the event of a rollover
however unlike the r129 the roll bar in the Cabriolet does not pivot but instead
operates in a linear motion popping straight up when needed in a critical
situation the roll bar is raised into position by spring pressure within three
tenths of a second the bar can only be retracted after spring deployment if the
operating switch is held down in the up position until the hydraulic unit lock
engages audibly in order to ensure reliable deployment a synchronizer shaft
prevents the bar from becoming skewed to opinions connected to the synchronizer
shaft engage racks in both ends of the rollbar tube the tube itself is located
by rollers within the bar frame the triggering criteria such as vehicle
inclination lateral acceleration and deceleration are the same as for the
r129 the status of the roll bar system is indicated by a control light the
light comes on when you switch the ignition on and goes out after you start
the engine
if you get any other indication the automatic functioning may be impaired
and the roll bar should be raised manually until the system can be checked
out with the top up or down the roll bar can be raised or lowered by either the
front or rear rocker switch the rear switch can be locked out with the child
safety switch for safety reasons the roll bar should always be fully extended
when the rear seats are occupied
if the roll bar is not raised or retracted completely warning lights will
blink in the switches in order to alert you in comparison to the r129 you'll
notice quite a few differences with the convertible top on the 300c e cabriolet
you'll find a heated rear window of safety glass a 20 millimeters thick
layer of insulation a three-section soft top frame and a complete interior
headliner a system of straps connects the frame sections and determines the
position of the rear window in order to accommodate the rigid rear window in the
soft top compartment the rear area of the soft top cover has stitched in
pockets
new one piece ceiling sections are used in the roof frame and the soft top frame
and integrated channel drains water away along the a-pillar via holo ducks a
haematite colored anodized strip on the soft top compartment lid serves as a
mounting for the rear soft top seal
to operate the hydraulic top mechanism you must first open the two front
latches the operating switch for the soft-top has a similar function to the
one in the r129
11 cylinders are pressurized hydraulically by the rollbar hydraulic
unit two cylinders are used for top operation to for the soft-top retention
bar 24 the soft top compartment as well as one cylinder each to operate the
locks on the retention bar and compartment lid the remaining three
cylinders are used for the rollbar the entire process is monitored by 12 limit
switches and controlled by nine magnetic valve the soft-top control unit is
located under the right rear seat the locks on the soft top compartment lid
and the retention bar are operated hydraulically the soft-top control unit
controls both lungs if the locks have not been engaged correctly the control
light won't go out after you start the engine and when you drive off the light
will blink and you'll hear a warning gone the warning Gong will also sound if
the front latches are locked and the soft top operating switches pushed with
the soft-top closed compared to the permanently stitched in type the safety
glass used for the rear window simplifies replacement the replacement
glass comes from the factory with a bonded frame
the ceiling section on the flan surface must always be replaced when installing
a new window in the rear window area the inner lining is attached with Velcro
you'll find the connectors for the heated rear window under the flap