Why is the solar-panel gone???
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 790
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
Why is the solar-panel gone???
This is my first thread and I am very sad! 
Is it really true that the solar-panel isn't avaliable any more?
As I ordered my 05 E55 three days ago, my dealer couldn't find it in the option-list. He had no idea if it is still avaliable or not.
I can understand that they might change and discontinue some minor options but THIS option ??
Maybe they forgot that there are some areas in the U.S. that might get hot over the summer-month....
Is it really true that the solar-panel isn't avaliable any more?
As I ordered my 05 E55 three days ago, my dealer couldn't find it in the option-list. He had no idea if it is still avaliable or not.
I can understand that they might change and discontinue some minor options but THIS option ??
Maybe they forgot that there are some areas in the U.S. that might get hot over the summer-month....
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From: Canada
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
I am guessing here but that is a luxury item. I could see the sales of the S class having been brought down due to people buy the E class. Maybe they are holding back certain features.. I was told that Distronic isn't available on the US E class in 05 as well..
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
Well, I would understand that move from MB IF they would offer that feature on the S-Class, but as far as I know, they don't. I ordered Distronic in my 2005 E55 and it was still avaliable.
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From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
My guess is it was a warranty issue. MB went across the board to reduce costs. Removing things like the charcoal filters says to me: "If it costs €€€, and you can't tie it directly to sales, kill it!". Other posts indicate the pano roof and solar panels were expensive to maintain. If MB was getting warranty calls, and most pano customers didn't know it existed (most pano cars I've seen don't have it), they killed it to cuts costs.
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
I never really liked the pano roof option, but the solar panel is a very cool idea. Certainly was a unique option, and from what I have heard, works quite well. It seems to be just another feature that most people did not buy (or I should say most dealerships), and it doesn't seem to be worth it to continue offering it (at least in MB's mind). One of the ways to increase reliability is to make each unit as similiar as possible. The less options means less complexity, which makes it easier to build it more efficiently.
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From: Sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL USA
2004 E500 w/ AMG Sport Package
i guess i got lucky with my 04 order. i only wish i had added the electronic trunk closer. only thing missing. the feature is nice, not great. remember, it only turns the fans on and not the a/c which the engine runs. the car is still hot, just not stifling hot. i live in south florida, so i love it. and its greta when chicks get in and say. Why is your a/c on when your car is off? When i tell them it blows their minds. As the old benz guy at the dealership said when i was picking up my car. "Son you have joined an exclusive fraternity" Which fraternity is that? "The one where blonde chicks throw themselves in front of your car......LOL...LOL
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
Audi has offered the solar panel on A6s. However it replaced the glass 'moonroof' with a metal 'sunroof' covered with the solar panels. MBs pano roof implementation was nicer. Good hot climate option.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 536
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From: Orlando, Florida
**SOLD***2003 E500
I love mine
The solar panels are great. As previously stated, still hot inside just not scorching!!!! And my 99 E430 was scorching when it sat outside for about fifteen minutes or more. At least this E500 is coller than that. Plus the roof with the two windows is awesome especially at night when you are cruising on the turnpike away from the lights of the city. Makes the wife think we are back in sometimes and that's ok with me.
Randy
Randy
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From: San Antonio, Texas
04' E500 w/Appear. PKG, Panorama Roof
I love my pano roof and the solar panels. The panels work great and as stated before the car is hot (We had a 100 degree day this week) but not blistering !
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From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
How much cooler is a white car than a black one (with or without solar panels)?
Last edited by DavidNJ; Jul 23, 2004 at 02:56 AM.
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From: Bridgeton, NJ
2017 S550 4MATIC, 2003 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercab, 2005 SL600 Designo Silver
If anyone does figure out how to add the solar panels, please let me know. I'd be most interested to add these to my CDI with Pano roof.
Rich
Rich
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Originally Posted by PA28150
If anyone does figure out how to add the solar panels, please let me know. I'd be most interested to add these to my CDI with Pano roof.
Rich
Rich
A Complete new Solar / Pano roof...Harness...Control unit...Then The Labor!
I Know of One person that is adding it to a W211....And its NOT CHEAP!
It can be done!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
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From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
When I ordered my car back in 9/02, the Pano roof has to be ordered with the solar panel. You could not just order the solar alone. By the way, Mazda was the first to include the solar panel on it's 929 model back in the early to mid 90's. It was a standard item for the car. It did a great job to remove the heat from a parked car. Too bad the 929 was discontiued due to the competition from Lexus and Infiniti. It was a good looking car!
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From: Christchurch, New Zealand
17 E220D, 11 E350 CDI(sold), 06 CLS320 CDI (sold), 05 Cadillac DeVille (gone), 04 E320 CDI (sold)
I always thought it was a neat option too, what a shame it has been dropped. BTW I think it is dropped worldwide, not just for the US.
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From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by DavidNJ
How much cooler is a white car than a black one (with or without solar panels)?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 351
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From: Christchurch, New Zealand
17 E220D, 11 E350 CDI(sold), 06 CLS320 CDI (sold), 05 Cadillac DeVille (gone), 04 E320 CDI (sold)
And leaving them natural silver (like Air Canada or some US airlines) gives most of the benefits of white with real weight savings!
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: The Earth
Mercedes all the way!
yeah, unfortunately no longer available around the world.
however, the charcoal filter IS still in - it's just that you can't turn it on or off independently now.
the roof was a great idea, but i guess so few ppl ordered it it just didn't make sense to continue.
however, the charcoal filter IS still in - it's just that you can't turn it on or off independently now.
the roof was a great idea, but i guess so few ppl ordered it it just didn't make sense to continue.
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
I dont think many people knew about it. Every E owner Ive come across for the most part was like "wow, howd you get that?!"
I had to special order my car this way. Most So Cal E classes are pretty stripped. 2 different dealers told me most buyers are very "price sensitive.."
I had to special order my car this way. Most So Cal E classes are pretty stripped. 2 different dealers told me most buyers are very "price sensitive.."
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 314
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From: In the shadow of D.C. (No.Va.)
'05 E320CDI, 1987 300E, Vanagon Syncro, Turbo Arrow III
I wonder if we can adapt the dealer battery charge panel?
There is an MB solar panel kit that is to be used for cars in storage on a lot. One lead clips to metal contacts in the passenger's sun visor clip and I think the other may go to the ground in the cigar lighter. It looks like it's about the same size as the panel that (I believe) was used under the pano roof, but it has legs or suction cups or some mounting bracket on it.
I have often wondered whether it might, at heart , be the same solar panel. I cwonder if it could be adapted t to do the job of the discontinued one?
It is described in the July 2004 Star Bulletin P-I-54.10/116
I have often wondered whether it might, at heart , be the same solar panel. I cwonder if it could be adapted t to do the job of the discontinued one?
It is described in the July 2004 Star Bulletin P-I-54.10/116
