WIldcat465

Can a panorama roof be retrofitted? I've an '03 Launch Edition that I've been itching to sell. When I drive my wife's SL600 with Pano roof, it's a much better experience for me. If I could make the change and it made financial sense, perhaps I'd keep the car. I love the color.

Does any know cost or potential problems?

LovinMercedes

Just spoke to my Service Manager and he said that it was technically possible but that he couldn't imagine it would be cost justified. He thought, but was not sure, that the roof contained the entire roof closing mechanism and that the roof itself woud be incredibly expensive. He thought you were talking well over $10,000 and probably closer to $20,000 but he said that was a total guess and he just was not sure.

Your dealer could figure it out pretty quickly.

WIldcat465

Hmmm. . .A new car is looking better already. Dealer quoted me $71k trade-in value. I'd like to have another 600 (SL or CL) and I've seen low mileage CPOs for a hair over $100k. I don't want an '04 SL600 becuase of the old NAV, but I suspect it won't be long before I start to see some CPO '05s. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

BklynBenz

i believe scorchie is retrofitting a pano roof on his e55 and im pretty sure he got all the parts from mbenznl. he might be able to shed a little more light onto this.

jasab

swap with the wife, that'll be cheaper.

seriously, you're right the panoramic roof gives the car a great feel inside.

scorchie

The retrofit of a panorama roof to an SL is a lot different than to a W211... basically, it all just bolts on. Also, I believe the panorama version comes prepainted! Even better. But, just bolting on the roof is pretty expensive. To save some cost, you can get just the top part of the roof (where it is glass instead of metal). It appears that Mercedes engineers were thinking ahead for the panorama roof and made all the parts identical except for the top panel.

(BTW, we did NOT retrofit a panorama roof to a W211. We are retrofitting solar modules to the W211, which requires CHANGING the panorama roof from one type to another. Still extremely difficult, but not on the level of cutting and welding, which would be required for putting a panorama roof into a W211 that did not previously have one.)

However, as pointed out, making it economically feasible is something else entirely. The top lists for around €5800... at the current exchange rate, that's quite high. I am not sure what the price is in the US, but some parts still are at a rate of $1 = €1, and some are more like €1 = $2. So it depends. The top panel by itself is around €1100, so that's a lot more attractive.

Then... labor to put it in... whoa. The top panel is probably more difficult and time consuming to install than the whole top, but having not done this myself, I am not certain.

Oh yeah, all prices I've looked at were for "normal" metallic colors. If you have designo or a non-metallic color, the prices may vary (up or down).

-s-

scorchie

I take it back. It's a lot easier to replace just the front panel... apparently all the adjustments are done at manufacturing time, so replacing the just the front part of the top should not require any further adjustment, and no special tools. Replacing the whole top does require special tools.

Go figure. So buy the top (probably under $2000), the interior panelling (another $600 or so?), some new fasteners and 1-2 hours labor. The roller blind is an expensive part (about €500) so you can leave that out... or pay for that too.

-s-

BklynBenz

see i knew scorchie would be able to help!

WIldcat465

Too Late! I dumped it today for a fully loaded Black Opal over Charcoal '04 CL500 (Distronic, Parktonic, heated steering wheel, phone, sport package, comfort package, keyless go, VCS, and electronic trunk closer.

I got tired of the closed in feel of the '03 with no pano roof, the old cumbersome nav, and the Designo cat **** smell. Besides, we don't need two SLs and the 600 had to stay.

I wanted the CL600, but the numbers just weren't falling into place.

BklynBenz

post some pics

WIldcat465

As soon as it stops raining I'll get some pics up. I need to take it back to te dealer so they can wash it first.

I think that I'm going to like th CL more than the SL. It's more comfortable--spacious and easier to get in and out from (I'm starting to sound like an old guy and I'm 38 (or is it 39?). Sure, I'll miss the convertible, but for those times I've got wifey's car (which continues to rot in the garage while she drives her Ford Taurus company car).

jasab

The CL is not as spacious as the SL. The headroom in the CL is poor.
I'm 6'5" and cannot get comfy. It's a shame for me because I love the look of the car.
Also, when the seats are back past "normal" the backs seats will only accomodate small kids. The SL is the the car to have, but agree getting in and out keeps you fit!

tiggerfink

My Dealer in Nashville and Memphis told me that it can not be done or maybe they just do not want to deal with it.

BklynBenz

the dealers also said that the comands could not be retrofitted either. they dont know what they are talking about.

WIldcat465

The CL is not as spacious? Hmmm. Try sticking two adults in the back of your SL.

I think that headroom in any car would be poor for anyone who is 6'5". I'm 5'9". It 's not a problem.

I don't have kid's and don't want kids. They stink and they're dirty. They would cost money that would otherwise be spent for a Benz. Besides, kids would ultimately want to drive my car and wreck it. Back seats aren't an issue for me. I use my backseat to hold my briefcase.

I have both a CL and SL. The CL seats are wider and easier to get in and out from. I enjoy both cars immensely, but as a daily driver work horse (grocery shopping, lunches with coworkers), I feel that the CL performs better. It's a more practical car.

LovinMercedes

Is it not amazing how much it is raining? It has been a long time since it rained this much. I am in Northern California. I was not aware it was raining as much down south.

jasab

It rained constantly for two weeks when i got mine!

tiggerfink

I will wait when my warranty is over to try it.

WIldcat465

It was clear today and I was off from work. I broke out the SL and took a little crusie thru San Diego. The rain will be back tomorrow, so I'll be back in the CL workhorse. This rain sucks

I don't know how people in the snowbelt survive when the temperature falls below 50 degrees. I hear they even need gloves to go outside. Imagine that.

JackStraw

The heated steering wheel helps. Ahh, toasty.

tiggerfink

Just wear a scarf and some gloves. It is really warn with the top down with heated seats and a good heater. My friend from Ohio talk me into driving with the top down one winter day and I was surprised how warm I was.

bollar

Yup. I drive with the top down most everyday no matter how cold. It's a great way to start the day!

WIldcat465

Below 65 degrees, my top is up and the heat is on. Although today was sunny, the temp was frigid (down into the 50s) and I was compelled to turn on the steering wheel heater and the seats. I know this is nuthin' to you guys living in the snow, but this weather kills me.

tiggerfink

I can drive all day long at 32 degress on a dry cold with the sun up. But a wet cold at 60 degress is too cold.

SUNILP

will be doing a pano roof retrofit shortly and post pictures.