Sunroof Disaster (S211)

[WilliamMaldivess211]

I feel like this might turn into a long post, so I apologise in advance!

When I was looking for a Mercedes, I really wanted one with a sunroof - perfect for the sunny weather we get here in Jersey. But honestly, right now, it's been more trouble than it's worth.

Currently when I press the button, I only hear a grinding noise, and the sunroof barely moves. I had to use the manual method close it (under the light in the roof liner) to fully close it, but it was very stiff (compared to when I had to do this before), and hasn't finished perfectly level (one corner seems slightly lower than the other).

A while back, I accidentally left the sunroof tilted open overnight, and while it didn't rain, there was some dew on the car. I dried it off with a microfibres towel and left it open in the sun all day. It seemed fine afterward, but about three weeks later, I noticed that while it opened normally, closing it made a grinding noise - like it was struggling to return from the fully open position.

Since then, I only used the tilt function, with the intention of having it looked at when the gearbox is being serviced this summer. until my Dad borrowed my car and (not knowing about the issue) opened the sunroof fully. It closed but slightly below where it should have been, and made the terrible grinding noise. I had to try and get it level with the roof again, using the manual screwing method. Now I'm struck with it grinding, and not opening.

- I've tried the sunroof reset procedure, by removing the fuse, etc...
- The tracks were lubricated about a month ago with the official Mercedes grease.
- The sunroof drains were blocked, but they were also cleaned about a month ago.

Has anyone dealt with an issue like this before, or have any suggestions as to what it could be? New motor? Misaligned cables? Any advise would be greatly appreciated

 

[Petrol Pete]

was it one of the three quarters a million of sunroofs on the recall list worldwide ??

I do believe there are minimal parts available for it as it is a 'cassette' unit.

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

was it one of the three quarters a million of sunroofs on the recall list worldwide ??

I do believe there are minimal parts available for it as it is a 'cassette' unit.

No unfortunately not - the date is too late for the recall.

 

[martyz]

Not too late for the recall,MB wrote to me again last month to check the bonding on the glass.

I had a crunchy sunroof at the time the first recall came around. The dealer had the car the whole day

and said they could not complete the test as they could not open it. had a free health check which it passed.

I bought a second hand sunroof off of ebay for £80 had to repair front drain greased it up (MB sunroof grease)

A mornings work with my more then capable youngest son fitting it and all was good

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

Not too late for the recall,MB wrote to me again last month to check the bonding on the glass.

I had a crunchy sunroof at the time the first recall came around. The dealer had the car the whole day

and said they could not complete the test as they could not open it. had a free health check which it passed.

I bought a second hand sunroof off of ebay for £80 had to repair front drain greased it up (MB sunroof grease)

A mornings work with my more then capable youngest son fitting it and all was good

When I said the date is too late for- I thought it only affected 2005-2006 made sunroofs not later 2007 ones which was my dated one. It may be worth a try, but living on an island we only have one Mercedes dealer and they are just a disaster to deal with - incredibly keen to sell you a car but after sales and servicing they don’t really care.

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

When I said the date is too late for- I thought it only affected 2005-2006 made sunroofs not later 2007 ones which was my dated one. It may be worth a try, but living on an island we only have one Mercedes dealer and they are just a disaster to deal with - incredibly keen to sell you a car but after sales and servicing they don’t really care.

Have just entered the vin into the Mercedes recall checker and it says it is affected so may be worth a try.

 

[Petrol Pete]

100% worth a try , it is a worldwide SAFETY recall that originated in the USA . You should have had the recall letter , but cars sometimes slip through the net.

My letter quoted

Safety recall SPRC2001.

 

[Pontoneer]

I feel like this might turn into a long post, so I apologise in advance!

When I was looking for a Mercedes, I really wanted one with a sunroof - perfect for the sunny weather we get here in Jersey. But honestly, right now, it's been more trouble than it's worth.

Currently when I press the button, I only hear a grinding noise, and the sunroof barely moves. I had to use the manual method close it (under the light in the roof liner) to fully close it, but it was very stiff (compared to when I had to do this before), and hasn't finished perfectly level (one corner seems slightly lower than the other).

A while back, I accidentally left the sunroof tilted open overnight, and while it didn't rain, there was some dew on the car. I dried it off with a microfibres towel and left it open in the sun all day. It seemed fine afterward, but about three weeks later, I noticed that while it opened normally, closing it made a grinding noise - like it was struggling to return from the fully open position.

Since then, I only used the tilt function, with the intention of having it looked at when the gearbox is being serviced this summer. until my Dad borrowed my car and (not knowing about the issue) opened the sunroof fully. It closed but slightly below where it should have been, and made the terrible grinding noise. I had to try and get it level with the roof again, using the manual screwing method. Now I'm struck with it grinding, and not opening.

- I've tried the sunroof reset procedure, by removing the fuse, etc...
- The tracks were lubricated about a month ago with the official Mercedes grease.
- The sunroof drains were blocked, but they were also cleaned about a month ago.

Has anyone dealt with an issue like this before, or have any suggestions as to what it could be? New motor? Misaligned cables? Any advise would be greatly appreciated

It sounds as though you may have bought this car quite recently?

If you bought it from any kind of dealer , and within the last 6 months , then that dealer has to fix it for you under the Consumer Rights Act .

It is important to note that , under the legislation , as long as you have not owned the car longer than six months , the onus is on the dealer to prove that the fault was NOT present , or developing , at the point of sale . If you have had the car longer than six months then you would have to prove that the fault must have been present , or developing , when you bought the car . With a mechanical fault that has gradually worsened , this may be possible .

In all cases , with used cars , the rights conferred by The Act , specify that expectations must be reasonable in relation to the age , mileage and price paid for the car .

You may even have a warranty that gives you more than this basic right .

If you bought the car privately , or longer ago , then sadly this may not help .

Consumer Rights Act 2015 for used and new cars (2025 update) | AutoTrader

Here’s how the Consumer Rights Act provides second-hand and new car buyers with a wider range of rights covering the sale of goods and services.

www.autotrader.co.uk

What is the Consumer Rights Act, and how does it affect my vehicle purchase?

If you bought your car after 01 October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies. This means that, when you buy the vehicle, it has to be of satisfactory

www.themotorombudsman.org

 

[WilliamMaldivess211]

It sounds as though you may have bought this car quite recently?

If you bought it from any kind of dealer , and within the last 6 months , then that dealer has to fix it for you under the Consumer Rights Act .

It is important to note that , under the legislation , as long as you have not owned the car longer than six months , the onus is on the dealer to prove that the fault was NOT present , or developing , at the point of sale . If you have had the car longer than six months then you would have to prove that the fault must have been present , or developing , when you bought the car . With a mechanical fault that has gradually worsened , this may be possible .

In all cases , with used cars , the rights conferred by The Act , specify that expectations must be reasonable in relation to the age , mileage and price paid for the car .

You may even have a warranty that gives you more than this basic right .

If you bought the car privately , or longer ago , then sadly this may not help .

Consumer Rights Act 2015 for used and new cars (2025 update) | AutoTrader

Here’s how the Consumer Rights Act provides second-hand and new car buyers with a wider range of rights covering the sale of goods and services.

www.autotrader.co.uk

What is the Consumer Rights Act, and how does it affect my vehicle purchase?

If you bought your car after 01 October 2015, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies. This means that, when you buy the vehicle, it has to be of satisfactory

www.themotorombudsman.org

Unfortunately, while this would help in the UK - I brought the car 5 months ago - I live in Jersey where we don’t have the exact same thing. I made sure that I got at least a three month warranty just in case anything was wrong, but alas that time has run out. However I did have the front ball joints replaced under that warranty. I have the recall booked in for the 22nd Mau so hopefully the main dealer will be able to fix it. Otherwise I will have to take it to a local independent - where it can be hopefully fixed without needing replacement.