Hello,

This is my first post and wanted to thank all those who are contributing to the forum. I've learned a great deal which is helping me finalise my W222 order. I'm getting a palladium silver exterior and black/nut brown interior.

What's your opinion about ordering a pano roof in a hot and sunny climate (Jeddah):

- Temperatures is between 75 F and 105 F (read round);
- Harsh sun (rains 5-10 days a year; hardly any clouds)
- Rear seats will be used extensively (I hardly drive anymore).

Dealer insists that Designo/Dinamica roof and sun-blinds will do following:

1. Improve rear seat ambience when opened (ability to look up); and
2. Roller sun-blinds will block 100% of sun (when required).

Do you think I should keep the pano roof, or cancel it from the order?

Opinions much appreciated

Here's the full order (gross price c. US$ 135,000)

COLOUR 792 PALLADIUM SILVER METAL
UPHOLSTERY 214 LEATHER NUT BROWN/BLAC
Code Description
B03 ECO START/STOP FUNCTION
B08 ELECTRONIC FANFARE
B12 TYRE-CHANGE TOOL KIT
K11 ADAPTIVE BRAKE LIGHT, FLASHING
K15 SERVICE INTERVAL, 15,000 KM
LS1 TECHNICAL FEATURE, NO OPTION
P07 CHAUFFEUR PACKAGE
P09 SUN PROTECTION PACKAGE
P17 KEYLESS-GO PACKAGE
P20 DRIVING ASSISTANCE PACKAGE PLUS
P21 AIR-BALANCE PACKAGE
P35 LED INTELLIGENT LIGHT SYSTEM
P44 PARKING PACKAGE
P64 MEMORY PACKAGE
R01 SUMMER TYRES
R41 18-INCH 10-SPOKE LIGHT-ALLOY
R66 TYRES WITH RUN-FLAT CAPABILITY
U12 VELOUR FLOOR MATS
U18 AUTOMATIC CHILD SEAT RECOGNITION CO-DRIVER S
U25 ILLUMINATED DOOR SILL PANELS
223 ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE REAR SEATS
231 GARAGE DOOR OPENER AT INTERIOR MIRROR
233 DISTRONIC PLUS
235 ACTIVE PASKING ASSIST INCL. PARKTRONIC
237 ACTIVE BLIND SPOT ASSIST
238 ACTIVE LANE KEEPING ASSIST
249 MIRRORS PACKAGE
253 REAR IMPACT WARNING AND PROTECTION SYSTEM
266 DISTRONIC PLUS WITH STEERING ASSIST
268 BAS PLUS
269 BRAKE ASSIST BAS PLUS
271 PRE-SAFE BRAKE WITH ACTIVE PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION
275 MEMORY PKG. DRIVER'S SEAT ELECT.ADJUSTABLE
276 MEMORY FUNCTION REAR
289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
297 ELECTRIC ROLLER SUN BLIND LEFT/RIGHT REAR DOORS
3U5 HEADUNIT ROW-AFRICA/SO-ASIA/INDIEN/AUS/GOLFST
300 PRE-SAFE BRAKE
301 ASHTRAY PACKAGE
310 CUP HOLDERS IN THE FRONT
413 AUTOMATIC PANORAMIC SLIDING SUNROOF
427 7G-TRONIC PLUS
439 EASY ADJUST LUXURY HEAD RESTRAINTS
448 TOUCH-SENSITIVE SURFACE(TOUCHPAD)
452 CHAUFFEUR-POSITION FRONT PASSENGER
453 EXEC. SEAT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE
463 HEADUP DISPLAY
475 TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
481 SUMP SHIELD
501 360 DEGREES CAMERA
518 MEDIA INTERFACE
531 COMAND ONLINE
540 ELECTRIC ROLLER SUN BLIND FOR REAR WINDOW
581 THERMOTRONIC AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
582 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING, REAR
596 HEAT/NOISE INSULATING & INFRARED-LAMINATED GLAS
6P5 TECHNICAL FEATURE, NO OPTION
61U DESIGNO HEADLINING IN BLACK DINAMICA MICROFIBRE
623 GULF STATES VERSION
628 ADAPTIVE HIGHBEAM ASSIST PLUS
642 LED INTELLIGENT LIGHT SYSTEM
731 HIGH-GLOSS BURR WALNUT WOOD TRIM IN BROWN
735 TRIM ELEMENTS-PACKAGE EXCLUSIVE
805 MATCHING SIDE MIRROR L/R
810 BURMESTER SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM
814 DVD CHANGER
816 REMOTE CONTROL FOR COMAND
871 HANDS-FREE ACCESS
877 AMBIENT LIGHTING
881 REMOTE BOOT LID RELEASE,POWER CLOSING FOR BOOT LID
883 CLOSING AID FOR DOORS & LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT LID
887 SEPARATE BOOT LID LOCK
889 KEYLESS-GO
913 ENGINE FITTINGS FOR AIR CONDITIONERS

 

Yes get it--you can always close it so no sun comes through. It makes the interior seem that much larger when you have it exposed. Get it--you will love it during the evening hours and even during the day--it keeps the heat out pretty well (just close when parked). Enjoy the car!

 

yes, it's nice and elegant option....and the shade is 100%........why get black though if heat is a concern?

 

Thank you very much for your detailed response. My hesitation is gone. Will keep the pano.

Thanks for your feedback. I have black leather on the w221 and it stays relatively cool if parked in the shade. I also ordered heat insulating and IR blocking windows. No fabric or color can withstand our climate

 

Your in Saudi Arabia so chances are your probably going to get a 5% or lower tint on the vehicle regardless. Get the Pano.

 

Thanks for pano suggestion. I've ordered electric sun blinds in rear doors and window along with IR reflecting glass. So this time I'll try the purist approach (no tinting).

I wish Mercedes would offer 'all-round, lightly-tinted, IR-blocking, glass'.

That would be a killer feature.

 

I live in SoCal and it is 75F-100F+ here as well. Once you go pano, you never go back. Love the option. It is open 24/7/365.

You could still add a layer of HuperOptik tint to it if you really want to, but it isn't required.

 

Tint all glass with 3m crystaline film. It's Expensive but blocks uv like nothing else. btw I thought all that stuff was standard.

 

Took a pic while driving for you--opens up the whole car!

 

That's really encouraging. Here we get 100F+ around 3-4 months a year!

Thanks. If the factory-optional IR-blocking glass doesn't cut it I'll go for this high-end 3M film.

Wow! It really transforms the car into something else. I'm sold.

Enjoy in good health

 

Also for hot climates how well do the A/C cooled seats work. Really hate the dreaded sweaty back while driving.

 

Not that well unfortunately as they are more of "ventilated" seats than cooled seats.
They are meant to blow air at the cabin temperature and you can notice it if wearing shorts, but not that much if you wear trousers.
And given the temperatures in Jeddah in summer, it is unlikely to make any significant difference