1995 E320 wagon

here is a silly question. what kind of behavior should I expect from my armrest compartment? There is a tiny strut in there so is it supposed to open the lid for me like the 5th door on my wagon? should I experience "resistance" when closing (that is to say strut prevents me slamming the lid)? I opened it up and pulled the micro strut and is very easy to actuate with your fingers. its like it doesn't do anything. I suppose this is a dealer-only part no?

Aahh, spring is here and we're all ready to tackle the really important stuff.

It depends on what model Armlehne Kappe Auslöser [armrest lid actuator] you have:

1] DUH - [Available on most 124s]
Functions perfectly in your hand, but either keeps lid open or closed when installed.
2] NEW - [Replaced by DUH & MAX]
Opens the lid at the appropriated speed allowing one hand retrieval of the analog telephone, that nobody has anymore, therefore replaced by anything you find in the bottom of a woman's purse or a DIYers 30 yr old tool box, the kids' lunch cards and a speeding ticket - ooops
3] AAA (Automatischer Armlehne Auslöser) [with user & automatic weight sensor control] - [Available currently on eBay and soon for customer pick up at factory in Sindelfingen, Germany]
Can propel any object at the exact speed and trajectory:
[a] from a jelly bean to a Quarter-Pounder into the center rear seat passenger's mouth or
[b] from a used spark plug against the head of complaining little bugger in the 3rd row seat to a biscuit into the mouth of "man's best friend" who replaced the little bugger.

Bob

interesting. the strut itself is a bilstein unit if I remember correctly (Micro Strut or something). the car didn't have a phone in there as opposed to my 95 e420. I'm assuming all these cars were prewired. But in general, when I press the black button on the front of the lid, it should at the very least lift itself no? and when fully opened, the lid shouldnt be able to fall closed my simply looking at it no?

I wonder, how has this not come up before in the tens of thousands of posts we have here. people only care about their neutral safety switches and evaporator cores. hehehe. nobody cares if their armrest functions as MB meant it too.

I guess I ought to make a trip to the dealership. I'm assuming they are the only ones with the struts.