I can only think of two things.

1. Check the hydraulic fluid to make sure it's properly topped off.

2. My guess is the electrical brain may have things out of sequence and need to be reset. I once had my top do some wierd stuff similar to what you're experiencing. It then mysteriously went away. Try buttoning your top up in the full complete up and locked position. Disconnect the battery, then reconnect. See if the problem goes away.

As far as maintenance, just keep the top clean. Dirt particles act as microabrasives when the material moves.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K