Sunroof broken
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 3
13 ML350
Sunroof broken
Okay so I've had this car for a bit over a week with the high hopes that buying a benz would mean buying quality and reliability...
okay
So my sunroof won't open or close all the way now. I have to constantly push or pull the switch and it only moves about an inch at a time in any direction, then stops. I have to move the switch each time it stops.
In any case I have an appt at the dealer tomorrow and the best they can do is "shuttle" me to work.
At least with my BMW, they give me a loaner
Good thing this is only a 2 year love affair at most.
I like my Bimmer more
okay
So my sunroof won't open or close all the way now. I have to constantly push or pull the switch and it only moves about an inch at a time in any direction, then stops. I have to move the switch each time it stops.
In any case I have an appt at the dealer tomorrow and the best they can do is "shuttle" me to work.
At least with my BMW, they give me a loaner
Good thing this is only a 2 year love affair at most.
I like my Bimmer more
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
2008 C350
Well, didn't you know? This is a feature.
Haha...not.
Look's like warranty work to me.
Hmm "shuttling" to work isn't so bad...you could just pretend you have a chauffeur...it'll impress your colleagues.
Haha...not.
Look's like warranty work to me.
Hmm "shuttling" to work isn't so bad...you could just pretend you have a chauffeur...it'll impress your colleagues.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 3
13 ML350
Well at least I'm not surprised with German electronics failing. I've had my fair share with my BMW's.
I was really hoping that the Merc would be problem free
Between me and the forum members (since I know my wife doesn't read these)
PERSONALLY for me, I'd rather have my BMW. It may have a bit less HP on paper but the drive is sharper and more involved.
The Merc just feels sterile. That and I still can't get over the interior. I'm not a fanboy by any means but when I look at my door panel and see a bunch of black plastic with the same grain texture, it just looks "off". It's like looking into a "domestic" make budget car.
Flame on people, flame on
I was really hoping that the Merc would be problem free
Between me and the forum members (since I know my wife doesn't read these)
PERSONALLY for me, I'd rather have my BMW. It may have a bit less HP on paper but the drive is sharper and more involved.
The Merc just feels sterile. That and I still can't get over the interior. I'm not a fanboy by any means but when I look at my door panel and see a bunch of black plastic with the same grain texture, it just looks "off". It's like looking into a "domestic" make budget car.
Flame on people, flame on
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
2008 C350
Well at least I'm not surprised with German electronics failing. I've had my fair share with my BMW's.
I was really hoping that the Merc would be problem free
Between me and the forum members (since I know my wife doesn't read these)
PERSONALLY for me, I'd rather have my BMW. It may have a bit less HP on paper but the drive is sharper and more involved.
The Merc just feels sterile. That and I still can't get over the interior. I'm not a fanboy by any means but when I look at my door panel and see a bunch of black plastic with the same grain texture, it just looks "off". It's like looking into a "domestic" make budget car.
Flame on people, flame on
I was really hoping that the Merc would be problem free
Between me and the forum members (since I know my wife doesn't read these)
PERSONALLY for me, I'd rather have my BMW. It may have a bit less HP on paper but the drive is sharper and more involved.
The Merc just feels sterile. That and I still can't get over the interior. I'm not a fanboy by any means but when I look at my door panel and see a bunch of black plastic with the same grain texture, it just looks "off". It's like looking into a "domestic" make budget car.
Flame on people, flame on
I can see where you are coming from, I'll always have a thing for BMWs, having owned a 330ci and an M3.
The interior of the C...hmm I'll admit, its not the most luxurious or anything but then again its not ugly either. If I want luxury, I'll take the 450 out. If I want performance, I'll take the Z06 out. For me, the C350 just hits somewhere between luxury and performance...and that I like.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: NJ
ML 350-Black=Sold. New 08 C300 4Matic, Black/Black, P1, Ipod, Auto7speed, 10/10 hit 100,000 miles
It's a software problem which they will update. The dealer can re-learn the sunroof for now. Happened to me at about 8,000 miles. It's good now.
Last edited by ShoremNJ; Jun 12, 2008 at 06:15 AM. Reason: spelling
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 418
Likes: 1
08 MB
Rental cars are a perk the dealers offer and pay for. If you don't get a loaner take that up with the dealer for providing poor service.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 978
Likes: 3
From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
Your sunroof sensors are out of sync. I had this on my C-Class once and its really easy to fix; all you need to do is re-sync the sensors. Open the sunroof all the way. Once it is open all the way keep the button held for 10 seconds, now close the sunroof and keep the button held for 10 seconds, push the sunroof button in to tilt the sunroof open and hold the button for 10 seconds and finally pull the sunroof button down to close the tilted sunroof and hold it for 10 more seconds. If you have done this correctly your sunroof sensors will have been resynced. By the way it is very likely the service people at your dealership will do the same thing. My SA taught me this trick when I went back to my dealer huffing and puffing about my sunroof.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
BNW Z4
Ah, yes, the stuttering sunroof (a special feature developed by Carrozeria Porky Pig for MB, only). I was able to re synch mine to open smoothly but not close. Not a big deal since I rarely use the feature. I'll have the dealer resynch totally when I go in for the tire rotation in 500m.
I use my C300 for commuting and while I dearly love the BMWs (I own a Z4) the C300 is really superior for that use. I had a 328i Sport Wagon as a loaner for a day or two. While it was definitely "sportier," the ride quality was nowhere near that of the MB. In fact, I felt the ride quality on the Sportwagon was worse than the Z4, which I also use for the commute. The runflats used by BMW on the Sportwagon are really stiff.
I use my C300 for commuting and while I dearly love the BMWs (I own a Z4) the C300 is really superior for that use. I had a 328i Sport Wagon as a loaner for a day or two. While it was definitely "sportier," the ride quality was nowhere near that of the MB. In fact, I felt the ride quality on the Sportwagon was worse than the Z4, which I also use for the commute. The runflats used by BMW on the Sportwagon are really stiff.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 2
From: Irvine, CA
C300 Sport, MM, P1
Okay so I've had this car for a bit over a week with the high hopes that buying a benz would mean buying quality and reliability...
okay
So my sunroof won't open or close all the way now. I have to constantly push or pull the switch and it only moves about an inch at a time in any direction, then stops. I have to move the switch each time it stops.
In any case I have an appt at the dealer tomorrow and the best they can do is "shuttle" me to work.
At least with my BMW, they give me a loaner
Good thing this is only a 2 year love affair at most.
I like my Bimmer more
okay
So my sunroof won't open or close all the way now. I have to constantly push or pull the switch and it only moves about an inch at a time in any direction, then stops. I have to move the switch each time it stops.
In any case I have an appt at the dealer tomorrow and the best they can do is "shuttle" me to work.
At least with my BMW, they give me a loaner
Good thing this is only a 2 year love affair at most.
I like my Bimmer more
my Merc dealership has always given me a loaner car, even if it was for a few hours and the loaner car has always been another C300 sport
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 3
13 ML350
Well as a follow up to my post at 2 AM...
I dropped off my car at the dealer this morning. The service guy chuckled and told me that I probably had an acorn or something jammed in my sunroof. "Happens all the time man"
Okay sure... except that I've had this in my garage for the whole week I've owned it and there are no acorns in my garage
I told them to clean it up while they had it and so he whipped out the free detail sheet, the $19.95 upgrade or the $250.00 upgrade.
I told him that when I bought it (Sunday) that they never did a proper clean up so he told me he'd take care of it.
Overall they were nice. I had my wife pick me up in the BMW and she dropped me off at work. I didn't even want to get into a courtesy car question so after my small tirade from the earlier posts, I opted to just use my car.
Well they called me around 3 hours later. Told me that they had to reteach the positioning and they washed the car. I wish I knew that I could do it myself!
The car was clean and oh I forgot to mention that they were nice enough to pick me up at work and take me to get the car
Wasn't impressed with the "clean" car. I could have done it better myself
Oh well.
All in all, a decent experience. The car is growing on me power wise. I had a chance to push it earlier this morning and even though I see a lot of posts on the lack of power, it pulls decent enough.
Had another looksy at the doors and interior... not bad. Could be better for me but still not bad at all. Maybe in two years, we'll get an E
I dropped off my car at the dealer this morning. The service guy chuckled and told me that I probably had an acorn or something jammed in my sunroof. "Happens all the time man"
Okay sure... except that I've had this in my garage for the whole week I've owned it and there are no acorns in my garage
I told them to clean it up while they had it and so he whipped out the free detail sheet, the $19.95 upgrade or the $250.00 upgrade.
I told him that when I bought it (Sunday) that they never did a proper clean up so he told me he'd take care of it.
Overall they were nice. I had my wife pick me up in the BMW and she dropped me off at work. I didn't even want to get into a courtesy car question so after my small tirade from the earlier posts, I opted to just use my car.
Well they called me around 3 hours later. Told me that they had to reteach the positioning and they washed the car. I wish I knew that I could do it myself!
The car was clean and oh I forgot to mention that they were nice enough to pick me up at work and take me to get the car
Wasn't impressed with the "clean" car. I could have done it better myself
Oh well.
All in all, a decent experience. The car is growing on me power wise. I had a chance to push it earlier this morning and even though I see a lot of posts on the lack of power, it pulls decent enough.
Had another looksy at the doors and interior... not bad. Could be better for me but still not bad at all. Maybe in two years, we'll get an E
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 978
Likes: 3
From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
Don't sweat it this was your first time. The next time it happens, yes unfortunately it will happen again, you can fix it in two minutes. It's weird because for me this sunroof issue started out when the car was two and 1/2 years old. I got it back from a valet after driving away did I realize that the sunroof was stuttering when opening and closing I started to blame the valet guys thinking they took my car out for a joy ride or something. My SA told me that its a pretty common thing with the C-Class. But after it happened the first time it started to happen again and again and again; about once every ten times I tried to open/close the sunroof. I was always able to manually resync the sensors in less then a minute but its rather annoying when your sunroof has these "senior moments" as my wife likes to put it.
I went that route myself. When the lease was up on my 2005 C I decided to get an E because I was not feeling the current interior of the new C-Class. I really liked my older C-Class but I totally love my E-Class. Driving the C was good but driving the E is so much better. I have a feeling you are going to like it better as well.
I went that route myself. When the lease was up on my 2005 C I decided to get an E because I was not feeling the current interior of the new C-Class. I really liked my older C-Class but I totally love my E-Class. Driving the C was good but driving the E is so much better. I have a feeling you are going to like it better as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
My dealership sells Volvos as well as Mercedes, so I took my Volvo in for a repair, and they gave me a loaner. I was pretty impressed. I guies it depends on the dealership.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 3
13 ML350
No luck...
Maybe I'm not doing it correctly...
1) Open sunroof (opens fine)
2) When fully open, release the switch, then push the switch all the way back for 10 seconds minimum
3) Release switch and then press switch forward (motor stutters but closing)
4) When fully closed, release switch and then press switch forward for 10 seconds min.
5) Release switch and then press switch in (tilt opens fine)
6) When fully open, release the switch, then push the switch in for 10 seconds minimum
7) Release switch and then pull switch down (motor stutters but closing)
8) When fully closed, release switch and then pull switch down for 10 seconds min.
When I test it after, the same problem exists.
BTW, I've also tried it without releasing the switch and just holding it there for 10 seconds.
Maybe I'm not doing it correctly...
1) Open sunroof (opens fine)
2) When fully open, release the switch, then push the switch all the way back for 10 seconds minimum
3) Release switch and then press switch forward (motor stutters but closing)
4) When fully closed, release switch and then press switch forward for 10 seconds min.
5) Release switch and then press switch in (tilt opens fine)
6) When fully open, release the switch, then push the switch in for 10 seconds minimum
7) Release switch and then pull switch down (motor stutters but closing)
8) When fully closed, release switch and then pull switch down for 10 seconds min.
When I test it after, the same problem exists.
BTW, I've also tried it without releasing the switch and just holding it there for 10 seconds.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 3
13 ML350
Update
Okay so the dealer replaced the motor after MB Germany told them to.
I haven't gotten the car back since I wanted them to fix my off center steering wheel.
I got a lot of slack about that. Kept feeding me BS about how the roads are slanted around here for water runoff and stuff.
In any case, we'll see. They're keeping the car until they can figure out what to do if the full alignment doesn't work out.
I haven't gotten the car back since I wanted them to fix my off center steering wheel.
I got a lot of slack about that. Kept feeding me BS about how the roads are slanted around here for water runoff and stuff.
In any case, we'll see. They're keeping the car until they can figure out what to do if the full alignment doesn't work out.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
2019 GLA 250 - I am in purgatory right now...
My car always comes back clean. In fact I get free car washes for life - if I'm driving by, I'll stop in occasionally for a wash....
RickP
RickP
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 1
From: Reston, VA
15 E350 4Matic
I can't tell you how many times I get a free car wash at the dealer and I find scratches afterwards. I usually pass up on the free wash now. Plus last time I had to wait 2 hours for the free wash. Good thing its free, otherwise that would be like a $350 car wash 
Related to Sunroof question. I did not search but does anyone have this issue. When it gets too hot and I open the sunroof, I get this screech plastic-ky sound as it opens up. Is that normal?
Thanks,
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
BNW Z4
I have just about given up on the stuttering sunroof. Partially resynched it myself once (opened but stutter on close). Dealer resynched at the 3000m service. Worked ONCE!
Tried using it last weekend...STUTTER!!!
I think that MB got a little too cute with the control button. One thing I notice about the 300 is that everything wants a very soft, delicate touch to work. For the sunroof, I prefer the old-style: hold the button in a certain position and the roof moves until it hits the end of travel.
So far, this is my unly gripe with an otherwise wonderful experience.
Tried using it last weekend...STUTTER!!!
I think that MB got a little too cute with the control button. One thing I notice about the 300 is that everything wants a very soft, delicate touch to work. For the sunroof, I prefer the old-style: hold the button in a certain position and the roof moves until it hits the end of travel.
So far, this is my unly gripe with an otherwise wonderful experience.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
2013 C300 Sport Black Darth V3.0
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
c300 sport
New software
The dealers have some new software to fix this problem, I had the same problem for a while, even got a new unit sent over fron Germany and installed. I have not had the new software installed yet as the last fix is holding up, but I will when I take it in for service.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: Camberwell, Vic, Australia
W204 C220CDI
Same problem but on W203
On my W203 - I had the same problem - they replaced the sun roof motor 4 times (yes, 4 times, all under warranty). The motors just kep on breaking.
But it was also a case that the 'software' needed a reset from time to time - when opening the sun roof - instead of just 'flicking the switch' open, hold it down and count to 10 (or was that 15). When closing, do the same again. Do the same for opening/closing the vent.
With the sun roof 'reset' this was taught to me by the MB dealer. Same also applies to the windows.
Hope I don't have this problem with my W204 (just under 10K kms now) but having other problems with idle. Sigh.
But it was also a case that the 'software' needed a reset from time to time - when opening the sun roof - instead of just 'flicking the switch' open, hold it down and count to 10 (or was that 15). When closing, do the same again. Do the same for opening/closing the vent.
With the sun roof 'reset' this was taught to me by the MB dealer. Same also applies to the windows.
Hope I don't have this problem with my W204 (just under 10K kms now) but having other problems with idle. Sigh.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
2004 E320, 2006 Audi A6, 2008 C350 W204, 2010 BMW F10, 2012 Porsche Carrera S 991, 2014 E350 W212
Your sunroof sensors are out of sync. I had this on my C-Class once and its really easy to fix; all you need to do is re-sync the sensors. Open the sunroof all the way. Once it is open all the way keep the button held for 10 seconds, now close the sunroof and keep the button held for 10 seconds, push the sunroof button in to tilt the sunroof open and hold the button for 10 seconds and finally pull the sunroof button down to close the tilted sunroof and hold it for 10 more seconds. If you have done this correctly your sunroof sensors will have been resynced. By the way it is very likely the service people at your dealership will do the same thing. My SA taught me this trick when I went back to my dealer huffing and puffing about my sunroof.
