SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Pano roof or not?????

Old Mar 26, 2003 | 04:11 PM
  #1  
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'05 SL 55;'04 G55
Pano roof or not?????

Okay, guys. I need to take an opinion poll. I have one week to still make changes to my order for my SL55 which has a build date the second decade in May, delivery end of June. I am really torn as to whether or not to get the Pano roof on the car. I am interested in feedback from those of you that have them, and don't, as to what you see as the positives and negatives. Not a money issue, just seems a little weird to have a pano roof on a convertible.

Thanks for the feedback.
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 04:19 PM
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I say go for it, I think it brightens up the inside when the top is up especally if you have black leather. IMHO I think the Pano-roof
looks best on a Black exterier car because then the glass blends in with the black perfect. If you like the Targa look then go for it if its any other color. You wont regrett it
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 06:15 PM
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I agree with G-baby. But IMHO if you are choosing a light colour exterior say silver or magma red it doesnt look so good.
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 06:53 PM
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From: House of Imports, MBZ (So. Cali.)
'06 ML500 w/Apperance pkg & '07 SL550 w/AMG pkg
As much as I like the option, the exterior color you are getting will not mix well with the Pano roof. I believe the black will distract from the overall appearence of the car, unlike it would if you were getting a dk color. I say "pass", unless you want to change the exterior to Capri Blue. And by examining your track record of paint colors, that would not be too much of a stretch for you!!
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 07:37 PM
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sl 55

I Have had it on my sl500 03 I would not buy an sl without it,But I also only buy black cars. It's great in the fall and winter depending were you live of course. I also had it on my 97 sl500 wich was great. the new sl has a privacy panel wich you defenitly need in the summer. see if you can find some pictures on a red car to see if you like the look.
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Old Mar 26, 2003 | 10:27 PM
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I have the pano roof and like it a lot. Without it, I fear the interior would seem a lot smaller.

As to the effect on the exterior appearance of the car, you might think about the fact that (a) it's a convertible, so neither you nor anyone else will see it at the time you are enjoying the car the most and (b) even when the top is up, you're looking at the top from the inside. Which is not to say that it's unattractive - I like the looks of mine vey much.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 12:03 AM
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Originally posted by G-baby
I say go for it, I think it brightens up the inside when the top is up especally if you have black leather. IMHO I think the Pano-roof
looks best on a Black exterier car because then the glass blends in with the black perfect. If you like the Targa look then go for it if its any other color. You wont regrett it
Add my name to this vote too. I'd say go for it if u get a dark colored car.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 07:19 AM
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S63 AMG Coupe 2020
Question

Can someone post a pic of a pano roof on a silver SL ? Thanks
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 10:26 AM
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Get the Pano roof! It's great for two reasons:

1. Like a moonroof, it brings more light into the cabin and makes the car feel larger inisde.
2. If you are tall (I am 6'2), it actually gives you another inch or so of headroom. Much appreciated!

I have seen pano roof SL's in almost all colors and disagree with others here; I think the pano roof looks good on all colors because it actually adds some contrast to the car (unless black), something that all old SL's had with the softtop up. But hey, taste is always personal

Wolfman
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 10:34 AM
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I agree...it looks great in all colors...on a light car it highlights the arched roof structure...very dramatic...on a dark car blends in...looks more mysterious
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 11:41 AM
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i have pano on silver and will have pano on my next silver sl55. it does not look bad. the black trim makes the top look fine against the silver. cannot imagine a solid top now.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 02:35 PM
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I have it on my black car, where it looks very sleek; however, I would get the regular roof with a red or other light-colored car.
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 04:36 PM
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When we first bought our car it was out of the showroom. There were two SL's (i had no knowledge of the SL's back then).

1) Magma Red SL500 with the AMG 5-Spoke Chrome rims, top down so I never saw the top

2) (our car now) a black SL500 with the pano roof. I had no idea the pano-roof was an option and i was like, SWEET it has a humongous sunroof!

I'd go for the R230 Panoroof. the R129 pano was 5000$ right?
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 06:33 PM
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I'd have it if I was having a black car, but with silver and blue (which would be my choice if I was buying tomorrow), I prefer it without. But, as Wolfman says, it's down to personal preference
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Old Mar 27, 2003 | 10:18 PM
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Originally posted by G-baby
I say go for it, I think it brightens up the inside when the top is up especally if you have black leather. IMHO I think the Pano-roof
looks best on a Black exterier car because then the glass blends in with the black perfect. If you like the Targa look then go for it if its any other color. You wont regrett it
i agree with u......without the pano roof it makes the car seem lightlessss....u need it!
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 04:54 AM
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I thought about this when ordering my SL, and in my opinion it spoils the line of the car if it is silver (or other light colour).

Hence I decided against it - it is a convertable after all. I did have a 911 Targa before though and with that the roof was excellent.

DB1
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 10:58 AM
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Thanks for all the feedback. After looking at some pictures of the car in red with the roof and all the input I got, I am not going to order the roof. The consensus seems to be, and I would agree after looking at the pictures, that it doesn't look as good in the lighter colors.
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 11:04 AM
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i am in baltimore also. sl55 coming in may. you will regret not having the pano top! the weather here sucks for top down. the lines of the car are great no matter what top.
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 12:19 PM
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2006 SL55 with 030 Performance Package
I did not get the pano roof because.

1. I like the look of the solid hardtop on Silver
2. Solid roof adds more soundproofing.
3. The solid alcantra roof liner is smoking kool
4. The constrast is great with charcoal interior top up you are in a dark cabin with black alcantra on the roof for those times you do not want to be in the sun. And then when you want the sun and open air you just put the top down.
5. You can not close the pano roof like you can on the new E you can only slide a screen shut but that still lets light in like crazy.

After saying all that I still think the pano roof is great for somebody that wants it!!

Above are just the 5 crazy reasons I did not order it!

AMGBENZ
2003 SL55 AMG (1500 miles)
2000 ML430
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Old Mar 28, 2003 | 12:32 PM
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For what its worth, I initially ordered a Pano roof, then deleted it after careful consideration. It seemed like a good idea for the gloomy UK.

It does not look good in many colours, detracts from the line of the car, and just seems (and looks) an expensive & superfluous extra on a convertible.

I also think it looks a little pimpish, a little tacky.

All IMHO - its your choice of course.
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Old Mar 31, 2003 | 09:19 PM
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Too Pano or not to Pano, that is the question. It really depends if you like the targa look or not. I love that look on my 328 GTS and opted for it on the SL55. First, noise is not an issue any more than a retractable sunroof and probably less so since it is fixed. Admittedly, the sunscreen does not block all the light, but the glass and the screen does not admit the heat. Finally it sets it off from the numerous silver SL500s the majority of which do not have the panoroof
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Old Apr 17, 2003 | 04:43 AM
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I love the look of the pano roof on my diamond silver SL-55. It looks like an extension of the rear window forward. I have gotten nothing but raving positive comments on the beauty of the car. Actually, I bought the car for it performance and features, not for its looks. I sure don't mind that it is a total babe magnet as well.
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Old Apr 17, 2003 | 03:41 PM
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We have a 2003 Sl500 in silver with the pano roof - I think it looks amazing with the pano- more so when you park it next to an SL in in silver without it. The one without pano is just a plain jane
It gives the interior a light, airy feel (which is also accentuated by our car`s berry red leather). Go for it - its a choice that may protect the car`s depreciation in the long run, since it is a good optional extra to have
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Old Apr 17, 2003 | 10:37 PM
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ditto, ditto, love to look out of it from the inside and love the looks on the outside. No question, it just looks great.
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