I'd actually be a lot more confident with a Pano on a 212, considering the added structural rigidity and even more extensive use of ultra high strength steels. The 211 is a solid and sturdy car, but for my own preference, I wouldn't want to sacrifice any structural integrity, that might change were I to drive a Pano equipped 211 which didn't squeek or "groan" (if they do actually do that).

As for the headliner, I've driven a Pano 212, however like others have pointed out, I wasn't so concentrated in the pano aspect of it when analyzing the roof material, as I was how "cheap" it seemed to feel, in comparison. It's always a give and take with company's nowadays.

As for letting light in, I actually never really concentrate on that, as long as the sun isn't hitting me or really focusing strongly on any part of my cars interior, I'm cool. However the option to completely block any and all light out would be nice I guess.

I can imagine that. Pano eliminates the metallic tap of rain I'd assume, you probably hear more of a muted and pleasant, light thudded pat.

Well mine creaks and groans like no tomorrow. I have had it back to the dealer twice for it, they have applied felt and adjusted to no avail. I have now been in 4 pano cars and they all have the exact same creaks. If you don't chances are your roads are THAT good...

Damn, well nevermind then, no pano for me. I can't deal with squeeks and groans, as it is, a lot of these cars have some without the Pano.

Probably the new pano roofs are more quiet than the W211 ones since the W211 was like the 2nd car MB put that on (i think the 1st was the C coupe). If I bought a brand new S550 and it made the noises that my pano roof did before being lubricated, man I'd rip them a new one.

All I have to say is the Land Rover LR2 must have the crappiest sun shade as it lets in a lot of light.

agree, it is quieter

K-A, I know what you mean about the wind. that was crap today. on my way to work, about 4 or 5 pebbles hit my windshield at the same time. i almost had a heart attack.

That sucks. Yeah I hadn't driven my car in days, was happy to take it out today, in all its clean and garaged glory, and the wind war zone entered. Crap hitting my roof, etc. I did a thorough check after I parked and and no problems, but still scary as sh**!

fwiw, mine makes minor creaks ONLY when driving at an angle over extremely uneven pavement such as onto a driveway. Otherwise it's quiet even on LA's crappy useless streets.

On the other hand, my E350 creaked a lot more and the dash also rattled from day one. And my E63 has more miles on it now, too. It's really just luck of the draw, I guess.

In the end, minor creaks and groans don't bother me anyway. My Porsche is so super stiff (with PSS-10 coilovers) it's like a rolling tin can of stones. Notorious for a constant windshield squeak, too. But who cares, when you're too busy bringing the rear end out around the twisties anyway. It's all part of the package. (My BMW was also a rattle trap due to a stiff suspension.)

As much as I wanted it, (for the reasons of creaks and rattles) we ordered our W211 w/o the pano. This car replaced my wife's convertible and it would have been really nice, but the potential for noise issues scared me off. Obviously not everybody experiences it, but enough do, and obviously still do on the new ones. Obviously no good answer here. That was the only option we didn't order, along with the wood wheel. Leather is much cooler and prefer the feel. Enjoy your W212s.

i do love my pano on my C
but from my brother's A3, and my C
i did experienced rattles, and i pretty much expect the E would hve it too