is the retractable pano roof just another way of saying it will retract when u open the top to make the car convertible or u can actually just open the roof like a sunroof, tilt it a little so air gets in

It's a sunroof option that makes your convertible just like a fixed roof car with a sunroof. I don't know how much it adds to the cost, but like most features, probably a fair bit...

In my 03 SL55, the pano roof is completely fixed. The only way to open it is to open the whole top. Even fixed in place, though, it is great! Makes the car feel much more open and spacious when the top is up.

Paul

Paul is right. It is glass as opposed to steel and you can see through it.

So the pano roof cannot tilt upwards to open to allow air to come in correct? It's completely fixed? What about 04 and 05 models?

No its fixed. Its pretty much what pablo said, its metal replaced with glass to make it more airy and sunny inside. There is a rectractable sun shade also. I think its a good thing to have if you can afford the extra, but some people dont like it. There has also been debate about the difference in weight, strength, safety etc.

thx that's what i was trying to find out, if pano roof was retractable or tilted

about the weight safety issue, is pano roof lighter or heavier than normal,

For safety it would be logical to say that the pano roof may allow trees through the opening etc, but the chance of something safety wise being affected is negligible. THe glass is probably smash proof anyway. For weight, I dont think it would be too much more. It would have to be heavier as the metal is replaced with heavier glass and all the extra structure to hold it there and re-inforce the roof. However,if it was that much heavier surely modifications would have had to be made to the roof opening/closing mechanism to support the extra weight. I dont think there is any stats about the weight difference around is there?.....