after the whole roof mechanism is done moving? or right after the latch touches windshield part?....

 

after the icon on the instrument panel turns off.

i would think that if you latch it when the latch touches the windshield, then the back will have a harder time catching in the lock on the tonneau cover. over time, i could see this area wearing down.

it would be better imho to let the back part latch in, then use the manual latch in the front to take up the slack rather than vise versa.

 

hmmmmmm i always latch as soon as it hits; however, i think you have a good point ragtopz

 

Either way, there will be a wear, one way is the front latch, or the back hook the other way. In time, it should be more expensive to replace the back hook and motorized catch.

 

I have been doing it once it hits. Now I am paranoid ;-)

 

I wish it was automatic, my alarm installer said that he could rig my remote to open the top. But with the manual lock its impossible.
Oh, I've been closing it when it hits, but now I'm going to rethink it.

 

automatic latching top would be nice....new CLKs have them i think....

On a hot day, it would be nice to open the top before getting to the car....

 

the bmw z4's also have the completely automatic tops. just press the button and that is it. that would have been sweet.

like ely said, it would be sweet if our car tops could be controlled by the remote and just drop the top before we get to the car. oh, well.

 

As soon as top makes contact.