I have purchased "Scorcher's" E55 K2 2004 Merc, I love it, at the time of purchase I was disappointed that it didn't have a sunroof, now I have read his old threads on this site and he asks about it, in the said thread the webasto sunroof's are mentioned, has anyone had one fitted to an expensive Merc? can you use Merc headlining and switches so it really looks OEM??
Anyone put a retro fit sunroof in a Merc?
NW_Merc
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It's going to be alot of work and expensive IMO 
Hello
I looked into this with my ML as I loved the large open sunroof on the early models and miss convertible cars I had before it.
For a Glass tilt and slide sunroof with original switches I was quoted just under £1000 about the same as it would have cost from Mercedes. Very very few Merc owners seem to tick the sunroof box so I can understand why you would want it.
I didn't do it in the end but its worth googling and seeing what you find, also check the warranty on the sunroof.
I looked into this with my ML as I loved the large open sunroof on the early models and miss convertible cars I had before it.
For a Glass tilt and slide sunroof with original switches I was quoted just under £1000 about the same as it would have cost from Mercedes. Very very few Merc owners seem to tick the sunroof box so I can understand why you would want it.
I didn't do it in the end but its worth googling and seeing what you find, also check the warranty on the sunroof.
renault12ts
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Personally I don't like sunroofs. I haven't had one for 10 years. Aircon does the job.
Hmmm , Virtually every Merc I see has one . Out of a dozen or so cars ( Mercs ) I've owned over the last 20 years , only one ( a very early 'poverty spec' 190E ) has not had a sunroof . Back in the sixties and seventies I'd agree , when the cars were in real terms more expensive and tended to have fewer options , it was less common to see sunrooves on the 'lesser' models - however , from the 1980's onwards I'd have said sunroof fitment was more or less the norm . Perhaps nowadays with even quite plebian cars having air-con there is less need , but I personally enjoy the fresh air and heat of the sun on my skin much more than the excessively frigid draughts of air-conned cars .
Even my 1957 219 has the full length Webasto sunshine roof ( factory fitment ) and provides the best of both worlds : fresh air , sunshine , no draughts
I'll seriously consider fitting one to the Fintail !renault12ts
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^ ...em, plural of roof is roofs...
Wrong. It seems to be becoming the norm these days, unfortunately.^ ...em, plural of roof is roofs...
renault12ts
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^ ... sorry Pontoneer, I think we're both right.. ( but obviously you are far older than me ): roof, roofs - UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum
): roof, roofs - UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum
Webasto are the ones to have.
^ ... sorry Pontoneer, I think we're both right.. ( but obviously you are far older than me
I suspect , alas , that it is the gradual merging of American-English and English-English , due in no small part to the widespread use of the Internet .
No doubt we will all be initializing , realizing and specializing before we realise it !
Have a nice day !
verytalldave
MB Enthusiast
I specifically went out of my way to get the model I wanted in the colour I wanted WITH a sunroof.
Luckily, one turned up locally and with some other goodies as well so it was a no brainer for me.
Sunroofs add an airyness and light to the cabin that makes the car seem larger and less claustrophobic.
OK, aircon may keep you cool, but it doesn't give you all the other benefits.
And of course they DO increase desirability come trade-in time.
Luckily, one turned up locally and with some other goodies as well so it was a no brainer for me.
Sunroofs add an airyness and light to the cabin that makes the car seem larger and less claustrophobic.
OK, aircon may keep you cool, but it doesn't give you all the other benefits.
And of course they DO increase desirability come trade-in time.
franey
Active Member
Personally I would not retrofit a sunroof.
The roof panels are very different in structure from the factory.
When you buy a factory roof option the roof panel has got numerous strengthening beams to provide extra strength.
The standard 'non roof' panel has got fairly simple strengthening beams in place fixed across the body.
When you cut these you are in effect compromising the strength of not just the roof but the whole body which as a complete and intact unit is designed to react in certain ways when the car is in a crash / rolls over etc.
I worked at a VW dealers for a few years and saw customers order cars with a sunroof as an option.
Disgustingly it was a favourite of the salesmen to order a stock car and have a roof fitted when the car was delivered.
Don't get me wrong, the job looked ok and professional but further on in time there were rust issues, leaks and allsorts to deal with. Sunroofs were superceded by newer models and parts were no longer available for the original ones.
In summary, don't risk it, buy a car with a factory fitted one, you will be glad you did.
The roof panels are very different in structure from the factory.
When you buy a factory roof option the roof panel has got numerous strengthening beams to provide extra strength.
The standard 'non roof' panel has got fairly simple strengthening beams in place fixed across the body.
When you cut these you are in effect compromising the strength of not just the roof but the whole body which as a complete and intact unit is designed to react in certain ways when the car is in a crash / rolls over etc.
I worked at a VW dealers for a few years and saw customers order cars with a sunroof as an option.
Disgustingly it was a favourite of the salesmen to order a stock car and have a roof fitted when the car was delivered.
Don't get me wrong, the job looked ok and professional but further on in time there were rust issues, leaks and allsorts to deal with. Sunroofs were superceded by newer models and parts were no longer available for the original ones.
In summary, don't risk it, buy a car with a factory fitted one, you will be glad you did.
I cannot comment on other makes , but in the case of Webasto ( who manufacture a lot of the factory fit sunrooves for Mercedes , BMW , VW etc ) their claim was always that their aftermarket kits put back in more strength than cutting out the panel takes away .
Webasto can still supply parts for the full length fabric sunroof as fitted to my 1957 219 and , indeed , can still supply this type of roof for fitment to classic ( or modern ) models , so I don't think there should be too many concerns re parts for a Webasto roof . But then , they are the market leaders .
Webasto can still supply parts for the full length fabric sunroof as fitted to my 1957 219 and , indeed , can still supply this type of roof for fitment to classic ( or modern ) models , so I don't think there should be too many concerns re parts for a Webasto roof . But then , they are the market leaders .
i'm surprised something so small bothers you.
Just jump into your car, put all the windows down and floor it down a narrow street, so you can hear the V8 noise bouncing back-and-fourth and i'm sure you will forget all about it.
Just jump into your car, put all the windows down and floor it down a narrow street, so you can hear the V8 noise bouncing back-and-fourth and i'm sure you will forget all about it.
Agree
vibesg
Active Member
I must say a sunroof is the only option of note missing on my CLK. Love the summer look with all four windows down but I don't want the climate control on all the time. Love the feel of just tilting the sunroof for fresh air.
I considered retro-fitting a sunroof several times but the cost of getting it properly done and the fear of a botched job put me off. Jobs not properly done can usually be put right with an engine, bodywork etc, but a botched roof? You only get one chance to put it right...the first time.
I considered retro-fitting a sunroof several times but the cost of getting it properly done and the fear of a botched job put me off. Jobs not properly done can usually be put right with an engine, bodywork etc, but a botched roof? You only get one chance to put it right...the first time.
st4
Banned
I'd just leave it. Sunroofs comprimise the head room too. Enjoy the car as it is.
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