For those who may be interested, I believe I have discovered how to use only the vents on the 2010 E350. This is the way it worked on a former car I owned.
If on Auto, turn system off. Press AC button to turn on and then press again to turn off. This disengages the compressor.
The mode and fan indicators on dash will be dark, but you can press their buttons to activate and adjust them.
May have to adjust the temperature or the AC or heater may come on anyway.
I enjoy driving this way when temp is between 60 and 80 and with the sunroof open or tilted.

 

You mean to simply have fresh air coming in without the A/C?

It took you that long to figure that out?

 

Yes-fresh air only.
Knew it since day one, but thought I would pass it on as it is not in the Operator's Manual for the benefit of others.
One caution, if temp setting is much lower than temp in car, fan maytry to run high as possible to "cool" the car. If does, just adjust temp setting.

 

Whats the difference between this method compared to just turning of the A/C?

 

I didn’t know this, mainly because I have never had the desire for it. It’s either AC on or windows open for me. I can’t think of a time when I would want to do this but if that time ever comes at least I know now. Thanks

 

In my car they could have saved some money by making the windows fixed. I have never opened the sunroof and never will. Same thing applies for the side windows 99.9% of the time. Auto temp is set at 22c and the climate control looks after the rest. Am I in the minority? I don't think so.
I also would never own a car without the Pano roof. Sounds conflicting.... I just love the brightness in the car with no wind.

 

Same here Pano roof has also become a deal breaker for me too. When I was looking to replace my W211 my daughter didn’t want me to buy a car without Pano and it has become the same for me. BMW needs to catch up in the Panoroof area. I really like the X6 but it doesn’t have a pano roof option. I also LOVE the new CLS but from the pictures I have seen it doesn’t look as if the CLS will have the Pano as an option. My car choices are severely limited now lol.

 

Now that I have Pano, when I see a 212 without it, it just looks so much less appealing to me, just "cheaper", per-se. Idk, weird as before, I never considered it much of a necessity (before I had it). Now I'm stuck on it....

 

I open all the windows and sunroof regularly on 65-80 degree days. Partly because I miss having a 650 vert as a daily driver and like the wind.

Separately - thx for the tip on the vent. I honestly hadnt figured it out either although I figured there must be a way

I didnt get pano because of all the complaints about rattles. I'd love to have it but didnt want to be driving a $75,000 car that rattles and creaks

 

I didnt get pano because of all the complaints about rattles. I'd love to have it but didnt want to be driving a $75,000 car that rattles and creaks

haha, totally agree.......that's too much for squeaks and cracks!

 

Neither one of my W212's have rattles so far. On very cold days last Winter, I heard the odd creek but I got that in my BMW also in very cold weather. I don't think it was pano roof specific. Furthermore the W212 chassis is 30% more rigid than the W211. This may have reduced the rattles and creeks.
If there are the odd creek,it's a small price to pay for a great feature. Once you have had a pano roof, you are never going back.

 

I think that if I lived in Canada I too would be interested in the pano roof. However, here in NC, the sun is so strong/hot during a lot of the year, that I hardly pull back the sunshade on the sunroof let alone open it up. It is nice in the winter to have the sunshade pulled back to brighten up the interior.

 

I assume you meant turning off the A/C.
Not sure of the specific mechanics, but if you just turn off the Auto and A/C and then turn on fan, A/C comes on.
Best I can tell, you have to turn the Auto setting off (if on), then turn A/C on and off with the A/C button. This disengages the compressor which "opens" the vents.
Also, need to turn the fan on also with its button.
Realize for some this is complicated and not worth the effort, but I like fresh air flowing through the car.
I also occasionally lower both rear windows about 1-2" for airflow.