Shattered Glass Roof Panel
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 34
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From: Alberta, Canada
'06 BMW 530xi & '14 ML350
Shattered Glass Roof Panel
Have any of you shattered your glass roof panel in front of the sunroof?
My entire panel is shattered, and on the passenger side a chunk of the glass is completely missing. Luckily it looks like there's a plastic liner underneath the glass, so the water doesn't get into the headliner.
I'd fathom a guess that this happened because a rock struck it.
My entire panel is shattered, and on the passenger side a chunk of the glass is completely missing. Luckily it looks like there's a plastic liner underneath the glass, so the water doesn't get into the headliner.
I'd fathom a guess that this happened because a rock struck it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,127
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Why Mercedes makes that panel out of glass is a mystery to me. It doesn't open, it doesn't look good--especially on lighter colored cars, and like most anything made out of glass, it can crack, shatter or virtually disintegrate. BMW offers a Panorama style roof on their X5, but they do it in a way where only the sliding portion is glass, which is the way any intelligent person would design something like this. I love MB cars, but I feel that the Panorama Roof, as they have designed it, is an absolutely HORRID option. I would never even consider any vehicle equipped with it.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 370
Likes: 27
From: Canada
2016 GLE 350d
Why Mercedes makes that panel out of glass is a mystery to me. It doesn't open, it doesn't look good--especially on lighter colored cars, and like most anything made out of glass, it can crack, shatter or virtually disintegrate. BMW offers a Panorama style roof on their X5, but they do it in a way where only the sliding portion is glass, which is the way any intelligent person would design something like this. I love MB cars, but I feel that the Panorama Roof, as they have designed it, is an absolutely HORRID option. I would never even consider any vehicle equipped with it.
Seriously, not good that it shattered and I bet that's an expensive repair!
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25
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ML350/2014
Had the same problem with my 2014 ML350 couple of months ago. MB engineers did not think this thru. Had to shell out $1200 to get this fixed. There was additional delay as MB had to ship the part to get the repair done.
Still scratching my brain on why they put a glass panel which makes no sense.
Still scratching my brain on why they put a glass panel which makes no sense.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,127
Likes: 4,353
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
The bottom line is that glass roofs are ridiculous, unneeded and unsafe. MB will probably tell you that a falling BB from a BB gun broke it, as they NEVER seem to be willing to admit that ANYTHING could be a design flaw. A simple sunroof with an all steel surround is the way these things should be built. Having a gigantic mass of glass over your head is just NUTS!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,127
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Had the same problem with my 2014 ML350 couple of months ago. MB engineers did not think this thru. Had to shell out $1200 to get this fixed. There was additional delay as MB had to ship the part to get the repair done.
Still scratching my brain on why they put a glass panel which makes no sense.
Still scratching my brain on why they put a glass panel which makes no sense.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 34
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From: Alberta, Canada
'06 BMW 530xi & '14 ML350
To prevent something like this from happening again, I had the new part wrapped in 3M clear bra.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,127
Likes: 4,353
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
No idea how the part is attached to the roof, but if I had to take a guess, it's most likely adhesive around the edges just like a windshield. Total replacement cost me $1,200 as well. Part was $900, and $300 for labour.
To prevent something like this from happening again, I had the new part wrapped in 3M clear bra.
To prevent something like this from happening again, I had the new part wrapped in 3M clear bra.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
ML350/2014
That piece of glass seems to be very brittle. Covering with 3M seems to be a good idea. Blinkme_210, can you post few photos with 3M on the panel?
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
I have no idea how they attached the piece. It was done inside the dealership. Took them couple of hours to get the job done.
That piece of glass seems to be very brittle. Covering with 3M seems to be a good idea. Blinkme_210, can you post few photos with 3M on the panel?
Thanks.
That piece of glass seems to be very brittle. Covering with 3M seems to be a good idea. Blinkme_210, can you post few photos with 3M on the panel?
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,127
Likes: 4,353
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I have no idea how they attached the piece. It was done inside the dealership. Took them couple of hours to get the job done.
That piece of glass seems to be very brittle. Covering with 3M seems to be a good idea. Blinkme_210, can you post few photos with 3M on the panel?
Thanks.
That piece of glass seems to be very brittle. Covering with 3M seems to be a good idea. Blinkme_210, can you post few photos with 3M on the panel?
Thanks.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
2015 MB ML 350
Are all of these issues just on vehicles that have the full panorama sunroof option? My understanding is that the normal, typical 1 panel sunroof is standard on every ML and GL. But the panorama sunroof is optional.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Calgary
GLS 63 and G550 4x4 squared
Panel break between sunroof and windshield
I was driving down the road and we heard this tremendous smashing sound but no rock was anywhere in sight. This is a very strange phenomenon but I will take it to the dealer in a couple of days and let you know what happened
Why Mercedes makes that panel out of glass is a mystery to me. It doesn't open, it doesn't look good--especially on lighter colored cars, and like most anything made out of glass, it can crack, shatter or virtually disintegrate. BMW offers a Panorama style roof on their X5, but they do it in a way where only the sliding portion is glass, which is the way any intelligent person would design something like this. I love MB cars, but I feel that the Panorama Roof, as they have designed it, is an absolutely HORRID option. I would never even consider any vehicle equipped with it.
Last edited by M Stelma; Mar 23, 2019 at 07:33 PM. Reason: Sp mistake
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,127
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Very sorry to hear of your problem. It will be interesting to see what the dealer has to say. My guess is that they will tell you to place a claim with your insurance company. Please keep us informed and good luck to you.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
ML 400
I had the same issue with my ML 400 here in Calgary except that I never heard any smashing sounds. I took the ML in for service on March 25. A few hours later I received a call asking if they should wash my car due to this damage. My first response was “what damage”. When I picked up the ML I saw the damage for the first time. Looks very similar to picture by M Stelma. I was told it was probably a rock. Service Manager also mentioned that they have seen this a lot lately - possibly due to cold weather the last month in Calgary. If it’s due to cold weather that would be a manufacturing defect. Was quoted $1600 to fix it.
M Stelma - let me know what dealership tells you.
M Stelma - let me know what dealership tells you.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Calgary
GLS 63 and G550 4x4 squared
I took the vehicle in and it is going to be covered by warranty. I did not have to argue or plead my case. The fracture location is atypical of a rock impact i.e at the back ( also I know there was no rock involved as there was no impact and it would have been pretty easy to see on a clear day )
This is my first warranty issue after having had 2 AMG GTS, a AMG GTC, , 2 GL350 a G63 and a finally a 4x4 squared.
Remotely I had a ML350 and I found it so poor (2004?) ( i was burned by the heated seat!-- I ignored the brand for several years and know I am quite impressed with the quality --cant wait to get my 2020 G63
This is my first warranty issue after having had 2 AMG GTS, a AMG GTC, , 2 GL350 a G63 and a finally a 4x4 squared.
Remotely I had a ML350 and I found it so poor (2004?) ( i was burned by the heated seat!-- I ignored the brand for several years and know I am quite impressed with the quality --cant wait to get my 2020 G63
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, Al
E 63 AMG
OMG
This just happened to me today on my W212 E63 i was driving from work and while I was sitting in the drive through at Chic-filet I heard a loud pop. I got out because I thought something may have fallen from the building but there was nothing all of a sudden I took a closer look to see that the glass strip between my sunroof and windshield was cracked there is no glass missing and there is no point of impact which indicates there is an issue with the design. After reading this I will be taking the car to the dealership tomorrow. My wife has a Genesis G80 and she just received a Panoramic Recall just yesterday. And then this happens not even 24hrs later. I will keep you all updated.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 742
Likes: 228
From: Santa Barbara, CA
S550C4, Porsche Cayenne
I took the vehicle in and it is going to be covered by warranty. I did not have to argue or plead my case. The fracture location is atypical of a rock impact i.e at the back ( also I know there was no rock involved as there was no impact and it would have been pretty easy to see on a clear day ) G63
It took several weeks of back and forth between my insurance company, Safelite (the sub contractor that does their glass repairs), and the dealer. During this time, a second crack appeared while the car was in my garage. The glass roof came from Germany, the dealer removed, and later reinstalled, the headliner and the local Safelite techs changed the roof panel glass. The dealer said the local Safelite company was who would do all their glass work anyway.
The part was $2800 plus $245 tax; the Safelite labor was $300 and the dealer labor was $577. And the dealer did cover my $1000 deductible. The job appears to be perfect and I can't tell that any work has been done.
Last edited by as.thompson; May 26, 2019 at 08:59 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2024 Mercedes Benz GLE350
Still happening?
Have any of you shattered your glass roof panel in front of the sunroof?
My entire panel is shattered, and on the passenger side a chunk of the glass is completely missing. Luckily it looks like there's a plastic liner underneath the glass, so the water doesn't get into the headliner.
I'd fathom a guess that this happened because a rock struck it.
My entire panel is shattered, and on the passenger side a chunk of the glass is completely missing. Luckily it looks like there's a plastic liner underneath the glass, so the water doesn't get into the headliner.
I'd fathom a guess that this happened because a rock struck it.
I bought a 2024 Mercedes Benz GLE350 and this JUST happened to me! I have not even had this car two months yet. I just made my first payment… only difference was that it was in my garage and completely untouched, and we came out to it being broken all the way around.
How has this still not been addressed or fixed?! my car is a 2024!
Spontaneously cracking windshield while my 2024 GLE350 sits in the garage…
Spontaneously exploding windshield panel on my 2024 GLE350 sat in the garage overnight…
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,127
Likes: 4,353
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I bought a 2024 Mercedes Benz GLE350 and this JUST happened to me! I have not even had this car two months yet. I just made my first payment… only difference was that it was in my garage and completely untouched, and we came out to it being broken all the way around.
How has this still not been addressed or fixed?! my car is a 2024!
Spontaneously cracking windshield while my 2024 GLE350 sits in the garage…
Spontaneously exploding windshield panel on my 2024 GLE350 sat in the garage overnight…
How has this still not been addressed or fixed?! my car is a 2024!
Spontaneously cracking windshield while my 2024 GLE350 sits in the garage…
Spontaneously exploding windshield panel on my 2024 GLE350 sat in the garage overnight…
At any rate, on such a new vehicle, I would try to get MB to replace it under warranty, but be prepared for them to say you need to have your insurance pay for it. PLEASE keep us informed of how this ends up being resolved and best of luck to you.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,745
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From: The Great White North
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
I bought a 2024 Mercedes Benz GLE350 and this JUST happened to me! I have not even had this car two months yet. I just made my first payment… only difference was that it was in my garage and completely untouched, and we came out to it being broken all the way around.
How has this still not been addressed or fixed?! my car is a 2024!
How has this still not been addressed or fixed?! my car is a 2024!
