E/W214: Non-opaque sunroof shade
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Joined: May 2024
Posts: 62
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From: NorCal
S214
Non-opaque sunroof shade
Test drove a 2024 E450 Wagon today and was surprised that when the sunroof shade is closed, you can still see the sun. Yes, the shade does block some of the sun, but it is not opaque. In the 2024 S580 (the other car I was looking at) the sunroof shade was opaque and completely blocked the sun.
It was annoying to have the filtered sunlight on my head, but also it created even more reflections on the dash (which does not have the traditional shade around it, just a tablet sitting there).
So, a question for any takers... does the 2025 E450 also have the same non-opaque sunroof shade? Thanks!
It was annoying to have the filtered sunlight on my head, but also it created even more reflections on the dash (which does not have the traditional shade around it, just a tablet sitting there).
So, a question for any takers... does the 2025 E450 also have the same non-opaque sunroof shade? Thanks!
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
There is no change in the sun shade as far as I know. I've not actually seen a 2025 in person but I don't see that silently changing from 2024 to 2025.
I don't find that with it closed there is any interior glare on any surfaces and I've driven a 2024 E350 for over 6300 miles and during plenty of bright sunny days. I have the super screen which would allow more glare than cars without.
I don't find that with it closed there is any interior glare on any surfaces and I've driven a 2024 E350 for over 6300 miles and during plenty of bright sunny days. I have the super screen which would allow more glare than cars without.
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Joined: May 2024
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From: NorCal
S214
Yes, it may have been unusual circumstances for my test drive... about 3 minutes into the drive, the car broke down (in the turn lane from a 6 lane road/large intersection onto a major highway) and so we sat there for about 40 minutes (with people gesturing to me that I was number one in their book -- that is what one finger means, right?) while the salesperson got the mechanic to come over and rescue us. As I sat there, the 1pm California sun was shining down (through that sheer fabric) onto my head. So, I had plenty of time in the bright sun to assess how well the German engineers/interior designers did. Later, when I got into the S class back at the dealership I noticed that the sunshade was opaque and thought... if you have only one shade then it should be opaque.
Great to hear that it has not been a problem for you. Thanks!
Great to hear that it has not been a problem for you. Thanks!
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
Unique circumstances indeed! I assume the engine was not running and therefore the AC was not operating which would become an issue to sit in the car and wait 40 minutes regardless of the transparency of the shade. I've sat in the car while stationary with the AC running and the shade closed while in the hot sun at 90° and it was quite comfortable. Even with the sun screen open, it's not bad as long as the AC is running. I only close it if it's too bright and it takes the brightness down enough to be comfortable for me. I prefer it to be slightly transparent rather than opaque. Just like the rear window sun shade that I ordered on the 2025 I am waiting for.
I would be questioning why it took them 40 minutes when you were only 3 minutes away. You could have walked back in half the time. Another sales rep or the sales manager should have immediately jumped in another car to pick you up while your sales rep waited for the mechanic to fix the car. Poor customer service if you ask me.
I would be questioning why it took them 40 minutes when you were only 3 minutes away. You could have walked back in half the time. Another sales rep or the sales manager should have immediately jumped in another car to pick you up while your sales rep waited for the mechanic to fix the car. Poor customer service if you ask me.
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From: NorCal
S214
Agree, it was a fiasco. I was disappointed about how long it took also. The salesperson sitting next to me made many frantic calls during the wait. Finally, he said they should be here in 5 minutes, and I realized that they were just leaving the dealership. I don't know, maybe everyone was on lunch or something. I expected them to be very aggressive in getting us out of the middle of the road and to safety. Wife wanted to get out of the car and walk, but we were in the middle of a busy elevated interchange. And yes, the AC was not on... we were able to roll the windows down, but it was 95F that afternoon. We were sweating, but not as much as the salesperson! Definitely unique circumstance...
Last edited by chuck.norrisky; Aug 20, 2024 at 05:51 PM.
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From: Cape Cod
E450 wagon, C43 AMG Cpe, GLE AMG 63S
My W213 had a Macchiato interior and a light color headliner and sun screen. It was brighter inside but I was never bothered by the sun bearing down through the shade. My W214 has an optional black head liner and a black sunshade. There is a distinct difference between the two. The car is darker inside for sure and the black filters the sun more.
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From: NorCal
S214
The W214 I was in had a light-colored headliner and shade. I will look into the black headliner option. Thanks!
If I could, I would order one without a sunroof! I know, it is sacrilegious... heck, I was looking at a station wagon, not an SUV, so you already knew I was an outlier... however, I am tall and barely fit (seat adjusted max down and reclined a bit to give me a little headroom) and if that little bump-out around the sunroof wasn't there, that would be great. I noticed that on the German configurator you can specify one without the sunroof (and all kinds of other great combinations not available in North America) but unfortunately, that doesn't help us here in the US.
Editing... okay, just looked at the order guide and see the headliner options are within the seat covering choices, didn't notice them before! I was thinking about the "804 Tonka Brown/ Black Nappa Leather" and see that they have two options: Neva Grey (58U) or Black (51U) for the headliner. Will venture back out to the dealer to check out the black options in person.
If I could, I would order one without a sunroof! I know, it is sacrilegious... heck, I was looking at a station wagon, not an SUV, so you already knew I was an outlier... however, I am tall and barely fit (seat adjusted max down and reclined a bit to give me a little headroom) and if that little bump-out around the sunroof wasn't there, that would be great. I noticed that on the German configurator you can specify one without the sunroof (and all kinds of other great combinations not available in North America) but unfortunately, that doesn't help us here in the US.
Editing... okay, just looked at the order guide and see the headliner options are within the seat covering choices, didn't notice them before! I was thinking about the "804 Tonka Brown/ Black Nappa Leather" and see that they have two options: Neva Grey (58U) or Black (51U) for the headliner. Will venture back out to the dealer to check out the black options in person.
Last edited by chuck.norrisky; Aug 20, 2024 at 06:16 PM.
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
The W214 I was in had a light-colored headliner and shade. I will look into the black headliner option. Thanks!
If I could, I would order one without a sunroof! I know, it is sacrilegious... heck, I was looking at a station wagon, not an SUV, so you already knew I was an outlier... however, I am tall and barely fit (seat adjusted max down and reclined a bit to give me a little headroom) and if that little bump-out around the sunroof wasn't there, that would be great. I noticed that on the German configurator you can specify one without the sunroof (and all kinds of other great combinations not available in North America) but unfortunately, that doesn't help us here in the US.
Editing... okay, just looked at the order guide and see the headliner options are within the seat covering choices, didn't notice them before! I was thinking about the "804 Tonka Brown/ Black Nappa Leather" and see that they have two options: Neva Grey (58U) or Black (51U) for the headliner. Will venture back out to the dealer to check out the black options in person.
If I could, I would order one without a sunroof! I know, it is sacrilegious... heck, I was looking at a station wagon, not an SUV, so you already knew I was an outlier... however, I am tall and barely fit (seat adjusted max down and reclined a bit to give me a little headroom) and if that little bump-out around the sunroof wasn't there, that would be great. I noticed that on the German configurator you can specify one without the sunroof (and all kinds of other great combinations not available in North America) but unfortunately, that doesn't help us here in the US.
Editing... okay, just looked at the order guide and see the headliner options are within the seat covering choices, didn't notice them before! I was thinking about the "804 Tonka Brown/ Black Nappa Leather" and see that they have two options: Neva Grey (58U) or Black (51U) for the headliner. Will venture back out to the dealer to check out the black options in person.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
The W214 I was in had a light-colored headliner and shade. I will look into the black headliner option. Thanks!
If I could, I would order one without a sunroof! I know, it is sacrilegious... heck, I was looking at a station wagon, not an SUV, so you already knew I was an outlier... however, I am tall and barely fit (seat adjusted max down and reclined a bit to give me a little headroom) and if that little bump-out around the sunroof wasn't there, that would be great. I noticed that on the German configurator you can specify one without the sunroof (and all kinds of other great combinations not available in North America) but unfortunately, that doesn't help us here in the US.
Editing... okay, just looked at the order guide and see the headliner options are within the seat covering choices, didn't notice them before! I was thinking about the "804 Tonka Brown/ Black Nappa Leather" and see that they have two options: Neva Grey (58U) or Black (51U) for the headliner. Will venture back out to the dealer to check out the black options in person.
If I could, I would order one without a sunroof! I know, it is sacrilegious... heck, I was looking at a station wagon, not an SUV, so you already knew I was an outlier... however, I am tall and barely fit (seat adjusted max down and reclined a bit to give me a little headroom) and if that little bump-out around the sunroof wasn't there, that would be great. I noticed that on the German configurator you can specify one without the sunroof (and all kinds of other great combinations not available in North America) but unfortunately, that doesn't help us here in the US.
Editing... okay, just looked at the order guide and see the headliner options are within the seat covering choices, didn't notice them before! I was thinking about the "804 Tonka Brown/ Black Nappa Leather" and see that they have two options: Neva Grey (58U) or Black (51U) for the headliner. Will venture back out to the dealer to check out the black options in person.
The sunroof is only standard for the US and maybe Canada. The rest of the world it is an extra cost option.
Like you for the same amount of money, I would prefer not to have the sunroof. If it is cool for local driving I will open up the windows - but once I get above 30 mph, the wind and noise is so great I close them. On the highway I always drive with the windows and sunroof closed: too much noise and when passing cars, the noise is loud. Loud noise causes driver fatigue. No matter how air tight, a smooth roof and full headliner will always be quieter than a sunroof. Also above 70 mph, it is quieter in my car with the liner closed.
I have the light color headliner: This is a must for me. I am over 6 feet tall and a dark headliner makes the interior look too tight and cramped. In the summer I close the sun liner. It effectively blocks the sun. With the liner open, temps outside above 90 to remain cool I have to set the auto temp to 70. With liner closed, temp at 72 and it is more comfortable without the sun beating down on my head. The temperature in the entire cabin is more uniform with the liner closed.
Just my $.02.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,909
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
The sunroof is only standard for the US and maybe Canada. The rest of the world it is an extra cost option.
Like you for the same amount of money, I would prefer not to have the sunroof. If it is cool for local driving I will open up the windows - but once I get above 30 mph, the wind and noise is so great I close them. On the highway I always drive with the windows and sunroof closed: too much noise and when passing cars, the noise is loud. Loud noise causes driver fatigue. No matter how air tight, a smooth roof and full headliner will always be quieter than a sunroof. Also above 70 mph, it is quieter in my car with the liner closed.
I have the light color headliner: This is a must for me. I am over 6 feet tall and a dark headliner makes the interior look too tight and cramped. In the summer I close the sun liner. It effectively blocks the sun. With the liner open, temps outside above 90 to remain cool I have to set the auto temp to 70. With liner closed, temp at 72 and it is more comfortable without the sun beating down on my head. The temperature in the entire cabin is more uniform with the liner closed.
Just my $.02.
Like you for the same amount of money, I would prefer not to have the sunroof. If it is cool for local driving I will open up the windows - but once I get above 30 mph, the wind and noise is so great I close them. On the highway I always drive with the windows and sunroof closed: too much noise and when passing cars, the noise is loud. Loud noise causes driver fatigue. No matter how air tight, a smooth roof and full headliner will always be quieter than a sunroof. Also above 70 mph, it is quieter in my car with the liner closed.
I have the light color headliner: This is a must for me. I am over 6 feet tall and a dark headliner makes the interior look too tight and cramped. In the summer I close the sun liner. It effectively blocks the sun. With the liner open, temps outside above 90 to remain cool I have to set the auto temp to 70. With liner closed, temp at 72 and it is more comfortable without the sun beating down on my head. The temperature in the entire cabin is more uniform with the liner closed.
Just my $.02.
