giffie

Have a 2011 BlueTEC.
Want to find out if I can swap out the factory glass to the UV/infra-red ones that come as an option on the 550.

Has anyone done this? Is that even possible?

LEOSOPHIE

I have never seen IR glass offered on the 550 as the windshield is Blue glass.

NevadaNick

What about using HuperOptik ? http://www.huperoptikusa.com/

troymir350

I believe if you get the 3 zone climate control, the option package includes IR glass. Confirm that, but I think that is the case.

Otherwise, you could change every piece of glass yourself. The way to tell if you have IR glass (other than the part number) is to look at it in the sun with polarized sunglasses on. If it has a purple/red tint it is the IR glass. The blue tint MB puts in as "solar" glass is just a tint.

If you look at the benefits of IR glass in warm climates they are definitely the way to go.

ima55r2

I had the 3-zone AC and only the windshield was clear IR glass. The front sides were lightly tinted and the rest were privacy tinted. The IR glass was MB's answer to reduce heat gain since tinted windshield glass is a no-no.

Replacing the windshield glass is easy. Pay big bucks at the dealer or check your insurance policy for coverage on windshield replacement....then throw a brick at it.

giffie

Hmm..I didnt know that only the windshield is IR glass. I assumed all windows were IR.
I will talk to the dealer and see if I can swap the windshield with IR and how much it will cost.

troymir350

Biggest bang for the buck (so to speak) will be largest surface areas exposed to direct sun. That and based on the angle of exposure, obviously the windshield is the largest surface area.

Don't forget the sunroof panels though (front and back). The heat energy transmitted through dark tinted glass that is not IR is greater than non-tinted glass. Sit in the sun and feel the glass in your sunroof!

reddog

My 2007 gl450 has the 3-zone AC option. Quoting from the sales brochure: "....infrared-reflecting glass for windshield and front doors helps reduce radiant heat penetration".

fs1013

There was a thread about IR glass a while ago.

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...r-package.html

I checked with the dealer and they confirmed the option includes windshield and two front windows.

dougpark714

I special ordered IR glass (no longer part of P2). I think the front 3 are IR glass. They all have the sungate mark. When you roll down the window, you can tell there's 2 panes with some film sandwiched in between. The difference is amazing compared to our other black interior car. Also the 3 zone AC works more efficiently to cool down the interior. Even in direct sun, you don't feel the heat penetrating through the window.

GL550 comes standard with blue glass which is not IR glass. Not sure, if you can special order IR glass on the 550. I don't see why not.