In 2021, pretty much all Mercedes models can be equipped with a sunroof. Depending on the model in question, some of them offer a traditional sunroof, others provide a double sunroof, and there are even some models that offer a full panoramic sunroof that spans the majority of the roof’s surface.
Many models come with sunroofs as standard, and they can also be upgraded to the full panoramic roof option. And there some higher trim Mercedes models that come with a full panoramic roof as standard. Either way, you are likely to come across a Mercedes that has some variation of a sunroof.
Mercedes introduced the first sunroof in 1932, and ever since then, Mercedes has been improving the sunroof technology. Nowadays, a Mercedes sunroof is a fairly complex piece of technology that is aimed at lightening up the cabin and making the interior a lot more plush.
Mercedes panoramic roof
The Mercedes panoramic roof lets plenty of light into the cabin. This makes the interior a lot brighter, and a lot more pleasant place to spend time. The panoramic roof offers a feel-good atmosphere with just a press of a button.
Most panoramic roofs can also be opened, this enables you to let some fresh air into the cabin. Even when the roof is opened, you can still use the sunshade to shade you from the sun. Mercedes has also introduced a monochromatic roof option that enables you to change the transparency of the glass to shield you from the sun.
Owning a car with a panoramic roof makes the driver a lot less claustrophobic, and it also produces less wind noise compared to an opened window. You can also take the advantage of opening up the panoramic roof, which can also be a more cost-effective way of cooling the cabin down while driving.
Mercedes panoramic roof safety and reliability
Many people have their doubts about the panoramic roof option, as it certainly does increase the complexity of the roof, which can in some instances increase the possible costs associated with owning a car with this feature.
Most panoramic roofs offer the same durability as front or rear windshields. This means that these glass surfaces are fairly scratch and shatter-resistant. Furthermore, it takes quite a bit of force to damage the glass surface, so even if you don’t own a pan-roof, the force is enough to damage a more regular roof surface.
Some people also doubt the seals of older sunroof mechanisms in some Mercedes models. And there are many documented instances in which an owner complains about sunroof leakage. But, modern-day Mercedes panoramic roofs are fairly reliable when it comes to leaks, as there are not many leakage problems documented online.
Mercedes sunroof/panoramic roof practicality
Another key aspect of discussion surrounding panoramic roofs is practicality, as most panoramic roofs do take up a decent portion of headroom in many Mercedes cars. Furthermore, a panoramic roof weighs a lot more than a regular roof does, and increasing the higher center of gravity is not a good option for a performance car.
This is mostly why a decent portion of performance cars offer carbon fiber roofs just to lower the center of gravity for better handling properties. Some people also wonder if you can put roof boxes on a panoramic roof, and the answer is yes, in most cases.
You need to make sure that you can safely mount the roof bars onto your roof. If you manage to secure it as recommended by the manufacturer, there are no concerns about possible unwanted consequences. Whatever you do end up doing just make sure you are following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
FAQ Section
Do panoramic roofs reduce the structural integrity of a car?
Well, a panoramic roof is essentially a big hole in your roof, so yeah, a panoramic roof does cause some concerns about the structural integrity of the entire vehicle. But, the glass itself does provide some structural properties, but these roofs are not structurally sound like a more conventional roof.
This should not pose any problems for the majority of vehicles, only some performance models experience a noticeable difference when equipped with a pan-roof. This is because these cars not only offer a less structurally rigid chassis, they are also a lot heavier as well, as pan-roof add as much as 200 pounds of top-end weight.
Should I buy the full-on panoramic roof?
Well, this depends on many different factors. The first one is obviously the price, and Mercedes panoramic roofs if not standard will set you back for $1k-3k. Some more premium brands like Ferrari sell the panoramic roof option for more than $15k.
But the biggest question of them all is, are you even going to utilize the panoramic roof at all? Panoramic roofs are fairly similar to convertibles in the sense that many people buy convertibles thinking they will go top-down all the time, but the reality is that it’s always too hot, or too cold to do so.
Only in a few instances, you can utilize a pan-roof to its full potential. In the UK for example, it makes less sense to own a panoramic roof than it does in sunny southern California.
How much does it cost to replace a broken Mercedes panoramic roof?
In 2020, Mercedes was faced with a $200 million action lawsuit for the ”exploding” sunroof scenario. A customer experienced a ”sunroof explosion” driving a Mercedes SUV, but as of right now, there is no news about this story, and Mercedes did not officially respond to this issue.
But, if you do end up breaking your panoramic sunroof, you might face a really large bill. Some reports are suggesting a $2k bill, others are suggesting a $9k bill. No matter the actual cost, it is most certainly going to be in the thousands.
But, if you don’t opt for the panoramic roof, you will never face such issues. That being said though, a panoramic roof is a nice luxury feature, and if you are able to find an insurance policy that does cover panoramic roof issues, and you are actually going to use it, then go ahead and buy it.
