355 Spyder top nightmare

+1

My car went back to the dealer 3 times before I just decided to sell it.

 

What is the recommended fluid for the top mechanism? I need to check mine.

 

My local dealer recommended using the fluid sold at Mercedes Benz dealerships called "ZH-M".
I am using Pentosin synthetic CHF 11S which may actually be the same product sold by Mercedes, in different packaging. It has all the approvals of european manufacturers, including Mercedes Benz (says Daimler Chrysler). My friend is the head tech at the local Lambo dealership and gave me a partial 1 liter can of it. It is what they use for Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls Royce and Jaguar convertibles.

http://pentosin.de/flexxtrader/data/usf/Pentosin%20CHF%2011S_GB.pdf

Interestingly enough, Pentosin does make an "LHM+" hydraulic fluid, but it is not synthetic, it is mineral based, and only has approvals for Citroen and Peugot.

It doesn't seem to be particularly sensitive to what is used. I noticed a couple guys were using $3 quart hydraulic jack oil! Not that I would recommend that.