yayoE55amg

am i the only one who has solar panels on the panoramic roof?

VelocitE55

It was an option that was available with the Panorama Roof. It ventilates the car so its not so sweltering hot when you leave the car in the sun for a while.

chem0

i passed on that option.. but in a way i regret it.. australian summer = hot stuff

t-bone

no. i have one too. my panorama roof with the solar panels blends nicely with my car's color: tectite grey

the solar panels work nicely.

Vic55

I got them too, they truly make a difference. On a hot day in California (circa 100 f) the cabin is probably at least 10 degrees cooler.

ClayJ

Discontinued on 2005 models and later...otherwise i would have probably ordered the option as well.

pas

My car has the Pano roof and solar panels but appartently they are not hooked up to anything. I had it checked out by two different dealers and they both said the same thing, not installed. I won't get another car with a Pano roof if you live in a hot cliamte it just adds to much heat to the car. I had the sunroof tinted really dark and that helps but then you can't see through them at night.

MB Fanatic

I have them too. Its the best option and only reason why I would never trade my E55 in. I hope the S has them too. Stupid DCX and decontenting.

MB Fanatic

The solar panels were discontinued for all MY 2005 E's. I dont think you have them. The 2003 and 2004 were the only ones that had them if I am correct.

Vic55

If you have an 05 then I dont think you have the solar panels- you have the pano roof but the panels that recirculate air in the cabin on sunny days is not there. Can you post a pic of your roof so we can confirm?

pas

i'm not a complete retard, I can see them through the glass but they aren't hooked up according to 2 dealers. The weather is crummy here in Miami today maybe I can try to get a pic tomorrow. I was pretty disaapointed but what can you do...

Anyone know why they were discontinued???

I guess that explains why I don't have a "rest" button on my climate control.

Vic55

Never said or implied that you were a retard, but we all were informed that 2004 was the last year. To be clear the panels are not seen through the sunroof glass, they are before the front sunroof and behind the rear roof. Very odd if you have them and they dont work. Do you have your window sticker by chance?

xraymd

If you've got them and they're not hooked up that would be one rare car. Like MB made the switch in the middle of your car's production. Would really be curious to see pics.

pas

I know you weren't calling me a retard just joking around.

If you look at the roof in front of the opening roof and behind the fixed roof are two see through sections that contain what look like solar panels. Maybe the pano roof is one big assembly and they put all the parts in regardless of options.

I don't have the original sticker I bought the car used with 1900 miles. I do have a Net star printout that shows the options. It has the following accessory codes:

744 silver
251 char leath
219 dist
220 park
317 comf
319 light
413 pano
475 tpms
530 dvd nav
819 6cd
881 trunk closer
889 keyless

Total sticker was 94,080 and I added satellite radio.

Any thoughts on how to get them working???

Vic55

You must have what one may call faux panels because I checked my sticker and 419 is the solar panel. You are probably right about the big assembly and 05's just dont get the solar hardware. Weird if you ask me why MB would do this.

VelocitE55

Wow, that is weird, take some pics when the weather gets more friendly.

pas

Ok here are a couple of pictures but due to the reflection you really can't see anything.

The front section is 3-4 inches front to back and almost the width of the panel, minus 3-4 inches on each side. The piece inside the glass looks almost like a sunshade with round (1.5mm) holes throughout the entire surface. The section in the rear is nearly impossible to see unless the light is just right and I honestly don't remember if it looks like the front section or more like a solar panel.

I also took some pics of underneath the sunroof spoiler maybe someone who has the solar panels can look at their car and see if it is different.

Vic55

I took these pics in the past to show where my satellite antenna was placed... you should be able to see the actual solar panel wires/lines...do you have these lines?

MB Fanatic

Looking at those pictures you dont have Solar Panels. With the solar panels you could literally see the where the wires/lines are in all light conidtions. Your dealer is incorrect IMO.

pas

After looking at those pictures I definitely do not have them, oh well.

Mercedes does some stupid things with minor details. I won't get another car with a pano roof i'm not a sunroof user so for me its really a waste. Part of the reason I wanted to get a car with pano was for the solar panels considering the heat here in miami.

thanks for the help.

mmgrad

does this mean that this car has the aux. ventilation system (solar cells)?

Fast55

Yes.

Vic,
Anyone ever talk about retrofitting this? Very cool feature (no that wasn't intentional), and I'm always looking for things that make my car unique.

hpV12

Bringing this back from the dead... Anyone know if it's possible to add this option?

xxGenericSNxx

MbenzNL would know!

The solar panel has always intrigued me. From what I recall, it was a costly option back in 03/04 (like $950 or so???) and only offered on the E Class (and Maybach!) but they never offered it on any other Benz since then. I wonder why they got rid of it in 2005. Perhaps cost, demand, not very functional? It's not very common for Benz to do away with a cool feature like this all together (no pun intended).

BBBSS

I have the solar option and think it both looks and functions great. Parts are probably verybexpensive and hard to get though I'd imagine. If something ever smashes mine I doubt the insurance company would like the bill they get. Lol