I'm buying an SL500, looking at 2004 or 2005. Can't get the color and features at the same time! Largest issue is lack of pano roofs. I asked one service department and another sales department, they say I can't replace a non-pano top with a pano top. Any ideas?

Im Sure it CAN be done as the tops are the same Except for the (PANO) panels...The Roof functions are the same..

Locate another complete folding roof and swap it out...its NOT going to be cheap..But Im Sure it CAN be done! Try the MB Wrecking yards

it can be done...but I believe it will cost you 3-5k for whatever reason....IMO, not worth it.

my car has the pano roof...you can have the car for 83k

Sounds like it's worth looking into! I can buy a few 04's with about 25-35k miles for $50-55k, wouldn't hurt me to pay $5k if I could replace with pano. The best pano car price I can get isn't below $61k.

I found a sweet 05 with 3,500 miles. Dealer listed it for $75k (no pano but very nice car with my Agean Blue color preference). Not sure how much they'll lower the price but the other cars have sale prices on them with 10-20% reductions. Here's hoping!

Honestly, your nuts!

I would wait out and get the car you want with everything in it.
I waited for 6 months to get my car, which has every option
except the distronic. I kindof wish I had it, but I am happy. I didnt
have to piece it together, and I enjoy the car for what it is.

you can add distronic eaisly.

Well, yes ... I am nuts! You should see what I do when I'm planning air travel and timesharing!

The idea to swap a roof is nothing compared to taking an SL65 and modifying the engine to add another 100+hp, or lowering the car, and I've seen a few posts to do that. Your advise to be patient is wise. But if I could do it now it's a tripple win (no waiting, less money, and I'll probably be the first to do it).

may i ask, is this done by replacing the large grille star by the distronic one?
although my car has distronic, i am very curious to know..

george

I too am curious to knwo what is involved in adding Distronic.

Contact Steve @www.MBENZNL.com re prices

Steve Installed Distronic into the Wifes W211

It Will Need a Replacement grill with the plastic window for the radar sensor
The Radar sensor / Wire harness / and labor
as the LATE Distronic 2 / Plus has the control unit built into the radar sensor

Its a GREAT Mod..lots of FUN!!

I am gussing you guys are joking when you say you can add distronic easily right? Cause if you're not, then, sure you can convert it to an SL65 easily too.

Since you are in So Cal Stop on Over and I WILL Show you the Distronic on the Wifes W211.....And the OTHER Mods that people say cant be done

All it takes is $$$$ and MBENZNL

Distronic will involve a short harness, control module, sensor, grill with new star, and swith on the shifter wood trim. Programming IS required and will not work properly without it. If you want to see DTR in action, I would suggest you pay Mark a visit and check out the wifey's 211. Rajah996, distronic installation in your car would most likely require steve or myself to fly over there to install it.

That does not seem to be a mod that would be easy to do... Can you explain?

I My car has everything but that, and Parktronic, Tell the truth I wish I could put the parking sensers in.

RoydRage

Didn't someone say easily installed?

Well its a LOT easier than say The TPS wire harness or Parktronic that required the dash removal to install the front display...

The Distronic Install is Not that Bad...

Hmm, the MB website states the 2007 SL Pano roof panel has a more "rakish" roofline. Would that be a visual effect or an actual difference in the shape of the roof?

http://www.mbusa.com//byo/pop_opt_pa...o&model=SL550R

So far I haven't found a shop willing to consider it. Looks like I'm going to need to see both types on cars next to each other to examine for myself!

Benz dealers won't even consider retrofitting. It is not worth the expense. I have one now and held out to get one and now wish I didn't. It's not that huge of a deal. There was another SL when I bought mine with all the same colors and options minus the roof and I ended up paying $5k more for the one with the roof. Dumb mistake.