Panoramic Roof

[IanA2]

I'm considering getting one for the R129. Does anyone know

a) Roughly how much I would have to pay for one

and

b) What colours (if any) they come in other than black.

Thanks

 

[KLP 92]

They came in any colour, dependant on the car they were supplied with.

£1000-£1500

Maybe getting a silver one next month with blue interior.

 

[stats007]

The last two I've seen on eBay went for £800 and £900 respectively - though they are rare secondhand.

 

[KLP 92]

The last two I've seen on eBay went for £800 and £900 respectively - though they are rare secondhand.

May have had some damage on them, i remember forum member aka$h went to see one of them, has scuffs on the glass.

 

[stats007]

On a second note, if you have a 500SL they are not a direct fit - only on cars from '96 onwards.

 

[IanA2]

??

On a second note, if you have a 500SL they are not a direct fit - only on cars from '96 onwards.

Not clear what you mean stats, I've seen one and the guy who's selling it says: "....excellent condition finished in metallic black , as safe as a steel hardtop but with the advantage of a full panoramic light feature, genuine MB part and will fit all SL 129 model series from 1990 to end of production."

Is that not the case? I'm a 92'er so will it not fit. Also, it is black and I'm Almondine Red, how do you think taht would look? Would I have to get it resprayed? Assuming it fits that is!

 

[stats007]

The panoramic roof was introduced in 1996 and it had slightly different seals from the early cars. There seems to be a lot of retrofitting of these in the US and they have mentioned this problem. The seals can be changed I believe.

Yes it is. The only caveat is that YES you will need to change some seals if you plan on putting a Panorama hardtop onto an older 129, I would say from 90 up to 93 or 94. You'd need to change to the later, updated seals on the CAR, I don't think you could change the Panorama roof into the older style, but the car seals can be changed (header and windshield pillar seals, and the seals on the soft-top.
If you have a newer 129 and want to get the Panorama hardtop, you're more than likely still going to have to at least adjust the new hardtop itself, then check the adjustment of the windows to the new hardtop, and after adjusting windows you'll probably have to do some adjustments to the soft-top frame.
I forgot about the seals being updated, and the Panorama top became available after the updates were done, so I'm sure the seals on the Panorama hardtop are all the latest style.

I would suggest you buy the correct interior colour as these all vary and get the exterior resprayed. Some also come with an electric roller blind as opposed to manual, though I have personally never seen one.

 

[IanA2]

Thanks for that...

The panoramic roof was introduced in 1996 and it had slightly different seals from the early cars. There seems to be a lot of retrofitting of these in the US and they have mentioned this problem. The seals can be changed I believe.




I would suggest you buy the correct interior colour as these all vary and get the exterior resprayed. Some also come with an electric roller blind as opposed to manual, though I have personally never seen one.

I'm ok on the interior...it's my colour. I think the best way to find out if it fits is to establish the year of the car it was used on. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks

 

[stats007]

The way I understand it is that it's irrelevant what car it was on as the seals get replaced on the car, not the roof. Maybe try before you buy?

 

[IanA2]

The way I understand it is that it's irrelevant what car it was on as the seals get replaced on the car, not the roof. Maybe try before you buy?

Now you are confusing me...from memory I thought it was vice versa i.e. the seals were on the roof & not the car.....maybe I'm wrong, again!

 

[KLP 92]

The roof will fit. My friend has one on a 1990 H reg R129 and i had one on a 92 J reg 500SL. Straight fit, no probs at all.

 

[stats007]

Well not according to people who changed their seals it won't. I'd try one out before you take it any further - if you're local you can try mine.

Edit:

US Link

 

[KLP 92]

Maybe different for the US cares but the roof will fit the UK ones. I've known quite a few people with the panoramic roofs on their older r129s.

The seals change slightly over the years but it still fits fine. I've had a SL300 1990 model with a 1999 hard roof on it and that worked as well.

 

[Tan]

With regards the blind, have never seen the electric, but I wouldn't hold out for it. Dont think i've ever used my blind.

 

[BTB 500]

the guy who's selling it says: "....excellent condition finished in metallic black , as safe as a steel hardtop

Erm .. the standard hard top is aluminium, not steel!

 

[IanA2]

Erm .. the standard hard top is aluminium, not steel!

Now that does surprise me.....it is really heavy, god knows what it would weigh if it was steel

 

[BTB 500]

I think the weight is in the glass (that rear screen is pretty big). Think I remember reading somewhere that the panoramic top was heavier, which would make sense then.

 

[BTB 500]

Found this after a quick Google

bulletin issued by Mercedes REF. NO. 77/38 and dated November 1996 says "The Panorama glass hardtop roof is available as an option for the Model Year 1997 SL models (model 129). It can also be retrofitted on older SL models starting from Model Year 1992......Panorama roof offered as an option must be specially fitted to the vehicle body when installed the first time. Because of the adjustment procedure involved, alternate use of the Panorama glass roof and the standard hardtop roof is not recommended......The installation time involved depends on the tolerances and gaps encountered on a particular vehicle....On models produced before chassis end number 041 427 the gasket seal on the A-pillar must be changed to the round-type."

 

[IanA2]

Found this after a quick Google

bulletin issued by Mercedes REF. NO. 77/38 and dated November 1996 says "The Panorama glass hardtop roof is available as an option for the Model Year 1997 SL models (model 129). It can also be retrofitted on older SL models starting from Model Year 1992......Panorama roof offered as an option must be specially fitted to the vehicle body when installed the first time. Because of the adjustment procedure involved, alternate use of the Panorama glass roof and the standard hardtop roof is not recommended......The installation time involved depends on the tolerances and gaps encountered on a particular vehicle....On models produced before chassis end number 041 427 the gasket seal on the A-pillar must be changed to the round-type."

Thanks for that. As I understand it, the above means it will fit my 92'er, but I may need a new gasket seal if it was previously on a post 97'er. Can't imagine the seal will cost a great deal. I am working on the assumption that the A-pillar is on the roof!

Am I on the right track? BTW the guy doesn't know what it came off of.....I'm seeing it tonight, so I'll be able to see if it is a) pristine b) fits (more or less )

 

[stats007]

The Panoramic roof is a fair bit heavier, some stands won't work with them because of the different centre of gravity.

If you change your A pillar seals then I presume your softtop will need to be altered to match the panoramic roof?