Yep that is one of those things that you swear you are going to break it if you do it that way.

Grab firmly on the stem (not the mirror) and give it good sharp tug straight down.

Now getting it back in is another story. You will need a tool to compress the points back into the barrel so you can insert the bracket back into the pocket in the roof. They helpfully give you a hole to insert a thin piece of metal that will hold the springs compressed while you insert it. Unfortunately you need something really thin and strong and with a grip to be able to pull it out once the mirror is in place.

I was able to modify the tip of a DIN radio removal key, but I think there is a MB specific tool for the job.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech