How is it a detriment?
Check this ML430 *Rare Skyview Roof*
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 237
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From: California
99 ML 430
Check this ML430 *Rare Skyview Roof*
Ever see a ML430 with a regular sunroof? Now, ever see a ML430 with a SKYVIEW roof?? Forget the driver having all the fun, let your friends in the back enjoy the sun as well! WOW!! I have a themeanest1999 Mercedes Benz ML 430 (convertible) for sale. It has 56k miles, which are mostly hwy miles. The car is immaculate condition, it’s in perfect shape and runs very smooth. I had a 120 point check and everything is perfect ( I have the receipt) The car is garage kept. Oil change every 3000k miles to keep a lasting engine. The car is fully loaded especially it has the ultimate SKY VIEW sun roof! MUST SEE! CD player along with CD changer, leather seats, AC, power doors and locks, tinted windows ( all) , lots more! This car is fast V8 engine.
PICTURES: http://www.sxpress.com/~jim/ml430
I don’t have the recently picture with racks on, but if you send me an email I will send you pict with full racks.
selling it:
http://cgi.ebay.aol.com/ebaymotors/a...item=599461238
PICTURES: http://www.sxpress.com/~jim/ml430
I don’t have the recently picture with racks on, but if you send me an email I will send you pict with full racks.
selling it:
http://cgi.ebay.aol.com/ebaymotors/a...item=599461238
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Never owned one with this roof as my salesman strongly suggested I not order it, Dealership has taken a number of these equipped vehicles back due to rattles, leaks, and the mechinism jamming. Had an 00 model as a loaner once with the Skyview and it jammed on me. Had the same vehicle a couple of months later as a loaner again and it was placarded "roof disabled do not attempt to operate" Understand that dealers are subtracting value from trade ins with this roof as they are hard to sell.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 644
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Webasto, the company that developed the panoramic sunroof for the new C230 Sports Coupe and new Porsche Targa developed the lamella roof for MB. In their web site, they call it "a high point in the roof systems division".
http://www.webasto.de/home_e/Uber_un...schichte_e.htm
and
http://www.webasto.de/home_e/Produkt...hsysteme_e.htm
They also have a nice page on the C230's Panorama Sunroof:
http://www.webasto.de/home_e/Produkt...hsysteme_e.htm
http://www.webasto.de/home_e/Uber_un...schichte_e.htm
and
http://www.webasto.de/home_e/Produkt...hsysteme_e.htm
They also have a nice page on the C230's Panorama Sunroof:
http://www.webasto.de/home_e/Produkt...hsysteme_e.htm
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 237
Likes: 2
From: California
99 ML 430
that's too funny..
As long as I had had this car, I had never had any probelems at all, not once.
I guess I take care of it, grease it, oil it, etc.
Thanks for all the info, but I'm quite happy with some sun over my head over the summer time :P
I guess I take care of it, grease it, oil it, etc.
Thanks for all the info, but I'm quite happy with some sun over my head over the summer time :P
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Its probobly not the maint you have done but pure luck. Odds are you will have a problem and most likely when it begins raining it won't close
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 44
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'00 ML430; '00 C230K; '01 CL500 (passed along...)
Skyview
Got our new '00 ML430 with skyview in Feb. '00. After having the car for just a month, it busted at 3/4 open, and the dealership took more than 7 weeks to receive parts from Germany and install a completely new system. Since then, we use it regularly with no trouble.
Can't say the same for the front driver window. We had the switch replaced once, but the window has stuck again, and the dealership took 5 weeks to receive parts - we finally go in next week for repairs...
Amazingly, the ML430 has been less trouble than our '01 CL500, which we got rid off after 6 months.
** Thinking "Lexus" for New Year's Resolution **
Can't say the same for the front driver window. We had the switch replaced once, but the window has stuck again, and the dealership took 5 weeks to receive parts - we finally go in next week for repairs...
Amazingly, the ML430 has been less trouble than our '01 CL500, which we got rid off after 6 months.
** Thinking "Lexus" for New Year's Resolution **
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 69
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currently drive the 83 300SD
Ahh, The SKYTOP aka Lamella Roof!
It's quite amazing that when you take the headliner down and sunroof bucket out... there actually IS NO ROOF.
Aside from the various problems with the roof going...CRUNCH while opening or closing; I think the main problem with all sunroofs, wiper cowls, drains is..... WATER LEAKS. EEEEK. I'll admit, it's an impressive view...but you couldn't give me one...I would not take it.
It's quite amazing that when you take the headliner down and sunroof bucket out... there actually IS NO ROOF.
Aside from the various problems with the roof going...CRUNCH while opening or closing; I think the main problem with all sunroofs, wiper cowls, drains is..... WATER LEAKS. EEEEK. I'll admit, it's an impressive view...but you couldn't give me one...I would not take it.
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 69
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currently drive the 83 300SD
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 69
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currently drive the 83 300SD
But, if you like living dangerously and taking un-neccessary risks....
I believe if you take down the overhead control panel (dome light/sunroof switch complete unit), the sunroof motor is above that. Your vehicle SHOULD come with a hex/allen key tool to manually turn the motor (either in close or open direction). Stick the tool in the hole and turn.
But really, don't open it. If it's just a fuse or motor issue, you'll be lucky. If it's anything else, look into selling it and get one without the skyview/lamella/skytop sunroof.
Almost a Member!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 1
currently drive the 83 300SD
The Skytop roof on the ML is one of the coolest features that NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I really think a panoramic see through glass roof would have been cool. Then again, I've heard of the roofs getting damaged because people shut tree branches in them.... so it's not ALWAYS the car's fault!! 
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
From: So. California
Yep, mine is great. The people who don't like them have never had one, with the windows down and the roof open the truck gets looks from everyone since they're not accustomed to seeing an SUV convertible 
7yrs and counting with no malfunctions...sure wish my brake pads would be as trouble free, this thing eats brake pads, I swear the ESP rides the brakes
7yrs and counting with no malfunctions...sure wish my brake pads would be as trouble free, this thing eats brake pads, I swear the ESP rides the brakes
Last edited by ML Dude; Jul 2, 2007 at 03:56 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
got me thinking, since my A-Class might come with or without this type of skyroof, the custom job might be a solution, so not to mess with the skyroof at all.
Thanks Crazy MB Rob !
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
Current MB stable:
1979 230 G Wagen
2003 C320 Sports Coupé
2004.5 C320 Sports Sedan
2005 ML350 Special Edition
Coming soon:
1959 220S
2004 A210 EVO AMG
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3
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300SL
If it doesn't leak and is closed all the way, DON'T OPEN IT, you may risk it never closing again.
But, if you like living dangerously and taking un-neccessary risks....
I believe if you take down the overhead control panel (dome light/sunroof switch complete unit), the sunroof motor is above that. Your vehicle SHOULD come with a hex/allen key tool to manually turn the motor (either in close or open direction). Stick the tool in the hole and turn.
But really, don't open it. If it's just a fuse or motor issue, you'll be lucky. If it's anything else, look into selling it and get one without the skyview/lamella/skytop sunroof.
But, if you like living dangerously and taking un-neccessary risks....
I believe if you take down the overhead control panel (dome light/sunroof switch complete unit), the sunroof motor is above that. Your vehicle SHOULD come with a hex/allen key tool to manually turn the motor (either in close or open direction). Stick the tool in the hole and turn.
But really, don't open it. If it's just a fuse or motor issue, you'll be lucky. If it's anything else, look into selling it and get one without the skyview/lamella/skytop sunroof.
The motor and the workings are in the back. When you open the rear tailgate, you have to remove the light panel inside the roof and it is all there. Mine has failed too, the motor etc is OK but the gearings are white nylon instead of metal and have all grinded off.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2010
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430 ML
10 years and counting
I bought my ML 430 in 2000 and the roof has been awesome, never had it fail. The truck has been running excellently with regular service over the years. We live in Vancouver so would go out to the airport when the kids were young, crack the roof open and stand in there with them on my shoulders when the planes flew overhead. Can't say how many great memories we've had with it.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 33
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
Same here...10 years and counting....140K miles...no problem with skyview roof...
I bought my ML 430 in 2000 and the roof has been awesome, never had it fail. The truck has been running excellently with regular service over the years. We live in Vancouver so would go out to the airport when the kids were young, crack the roof open and stand in there with them on my shoulders when the planes flew overhead. Can't say how many great memories we've had with it.
Last edited by mihir_d; Apr 6, 2010 at 07:56 PM.
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MB ML430
ML 430 / Skyview repair - help in the NY area
Hi everyone,
This skyview seems to be quite the talk on the ML430 ---
Do you know or recommend a repair company or tech to help me fix the skyview? I believe it came off the rail and now its rattling in place, it's a good thing it is closed and I don't have any plans to open it until summer but still need to get it fixed
I'm in the NY area
Thanks
This skyview seems to be quite the talk on the ML430 ---
Do you know or recommend a repair company or tech to help me fix the skyview? I believe it came off the rail and now its rattling in place, it's a good thing it is closed and I don't have any plans to open it until summer but still need to get it fixed
I'm in the NY area
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Hi everyone,
This skyview seems to be quite the talk on the ML430 ---
Do you know or recommend a repair company or tech to help me fix the skyview? I believe it came off the rail and now its rattling in place, it's a good thing it is closed and I don't have any plans to open it until summer but still need to get it fixed
I'm in the NY area
Thanks
This skyview seems to be quite the talk on the ML430 ---
Do you know or recommend a repair company or tech to help me fix the skyview? I believe it came off the rail and now its rattling in place, it's a good thing it is closed and I don't have any plans to open it until summer but still need to get it fixed
I'm in the NY area
Thanks
