E320 Panoramic Sunroof Repairs

schooner · 10-22-2009, 08:19 PM

Has anyone successfully had their E320 panoramic sunroof repaired?...local dealer informs me the entire unit needs to be replaced for $6,500. I am told there are NO servicable parts for the panoramic sunroof. It is stuck partially open...motor works but clicks like something is stuck in the tracks.

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konigstiger · 10-22-2009, 09:07 PM

Interesting, PM your email address and I will send a copy of the WIS to adjust which will give you an idea of the many parts to inspect for repair not to mention clean & lubricate.

e50zero · 10-23-2009, 12:13 AM

i actually had just a similar repair done on my 03 E500...in the beginning i heard cracking in the tracks and one day i was closing it and one side of the tracks stood straight up after snapped...the repair was to change out one side and it cost approx 600.

schooner · 10-23-2009, 01:19 AM

This sounds like promising news. Did your MB dealer do the repair for you? If so, who is your dealer?

After informing me that the repair cost would be $6,500, and me telling them that it was unbelievable nothing was servicable on the pano roof...I was led to the new car sales department where I was told they could offer me a "pano roof repair adjusted value" of $6,000 for my trade-in. My 2003 E320 vehicle is loaded with options including Command voice system, keyless go, Parktronic, sport package, integrated telephone (bluetooth compatible using "puck"), panoramic sunroof and looks brand new...and has been regularly serviced by the local dealer since it came off the lot. I would rather keep it as a sunny day vehicle than pay $6,500 for a new pano roof or give it up for $6,000 as a trade-in.

e50zero · 10-23-2009, 01:50 PM

my dealer was fletcher jones in orange county.

SZMB · 10-23-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schooner

Has anyone successfully had their E320 panoramic sunroof repaired?...local dealer informs me the entire unit needs to be replaced for $6,500. I am told there are NO servicable parts for the panoramic sunroof. It is stuck partially open...motor works but clicks like something is stuck in the tracks.

$6,500 for a roof!!! I won't open my roof anymore.
You may want to take the car to a MB/European indy shop and get a 2nd opinion.

novae500 · 10-23-2009, 03:41 PM

seems like they wanted to bait/switch you to buy a new car...hate when they do this type of stuff.....

did you use the pano roof alot? is it from wear/tear from use, or just cause the age of the car? it is almost a year since i've had mine and used the roof maybe 10 times.

gaazmon · 10-23-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SZMB

$6,500 for a roof!!! I won't open my roof anymore.

I'm thinking the same thing now.

JoeVal · 10-23-2009, 08:52 PM

*If it don't work, it's NDG.* Now, if the motor works, most likely is a a matter of linkage action that usually a little cleaning, TLC, and grease can take care.

Options are expensive and, as long as they are fixed as soon as they get inactive, they should work as represented by MB.

Cheers, JV

**: Overheard in Boston Commons during a conversation between two laureates of English literature coming from a Mensa meeting.

schooner · 10-23-2009, 09:11 PM

1. Had local independent mechanic look at it...spent several hours pouring over the panoramic roof with 3 other mechanics (I was gasping at their potential combined billing rates...adding them up in my head). Then mechanic informs me he can't fix it, but then I discover in the process he tore one of the side accordian baffles between roof and glass and broke the tabs off the overhead console (which needs to be removed to access the manual crank). He agrees to replace them at no charge (over $500 in retail part costs) and he didn't charge me for his inspection labor...very fair, if you exclude the dirty oil marks on the headliner from their hands (should be easy to clean). I am very happy that he was cool about the broken stuff.

2. Visited second dealership over an hour away. They have a panoramic sunroof expert who came out to look at it, and immediately said it needs a new motor with 90% confidence, as he has done dozens of these repairs before. $1,200 estimate, and I am feeling good (feel like I just saved $5,300!...may go out for dinner tonight and celebrate). PLUS: they can't begin working on my vehicle until Monday, so instead of making me drive all the way home and come back on Monday, then have someone drive me home again and come back when it is fixed (2 roundtrips, 4 hours, major inconvenience), my service rep gave me a complimentary loaner ('09 ML350) to use over the weekend and until my car is fixed...WOW, I am now feeling like royalty. They also said they would honor a $100 off service coupon from my local dealership (for repairs over $1,000). I had to pinch myself. Then he asked if there were any other serviced the car needed. I asked him to look up the online dealer service history, and he said it looked great for another 1,400 miles (then I will need a Service C).

3. I then went back to my local dealership and spoke to the service manager, explained my experience, and he agreed to mail me a refund check for the $160 diagnostic fee, and he apologized...again, fair enough and nice goodwill. He admitted even he didn't realize the panoramic roof was servicable.

Found this interesting and VERY SIMILAR MB service experience on the web:

http://www.noob.us/miscellaneous/rip...ership-ambush/

Will update again when I get my car back next week...in the meantime, I will enjoy my complimentary ML350 loaner. Seems like a weekend trip to Tahoe with "my new SUV" is in order!

novae500 · 10-24-2009, 09:55 AM

what a relief for you. Go to another dealer thats somewhat honest and to also hook you up. Thats what i call great customer service from a benz dealership. Good thing its just hte motor and nothing else!

SZMB · 10-24-2009, 11:22 PM

Great story, great experience. Sounds like you're going to have a great weekend. It sounded fishy to me when the roof couldn't be closed and the whole roof needs to be replaced. I know the Germans are not as good as the Japanese in electronics, but they couldn't be that dumb in designing a roof that's not serviceable.

Fastgreek · 10-24-2009, 11:44 PM

those fluckers.....

gaazmon · 10-25-2009, 06:33 PM

Just because of the creaking noise the pano roof has, I will probably not get one on my next car. It can be quite annoying, but most of the time I have the music up so muffles it out.

The only reason I really like it is because of the exterior look it gives.

schooner · 10-29-2009, 06:08 PM

I picked up my car today, and after replacement of the motor and two "bridges" the pano roof was repaired as promised...works perfectly. For those in the Bay Area, I can now highly recommend Smythe MB in San Jose. My service rep was Charlie Fish and their pano roof specialist (with over 12 years MB experience) is Nick. Absolutely fabulous work...even cleaned up the grease marks on the headliner from the independent mechanic who previously tried to repair the roof. Even more, they repaired for free the clip for the overhead console, which my local MB dealership said had to be replaced in entirety for $500+. Word to the wise, do your research and always get a second opinion...I saved thousands of dollars. It is a relief to find smart/honest people in the MB dealership world. BTW...I had the '09 ML350 loaner car for nearly a week and "no charge".

Barry45RPM · 10-29-2009, 09:10 PM

Always good to hear a good report on an honest, well run dealership. Usually the "goodness" runs from the top down and it affects every person in the Store.

I'd send a short note to MBUSA telling them of your exceptional treatment there. It will get back to the dealership.

SZMB · 10-30-2009, 01:23 AM

I agree that the service dept in Smythe European San Jose is absolutely outstanding. I bought my 2004 CPO there, and took my car there for services & repair a few times. It's got several repair floors, that place is HUGE!!! And they're building a brand new 5-story service department in the next 2 yrs. That place is got many master techs. They have fixed all of my problems on the first try: SBC noise, vibration at high speed, 1st-2nd gear transmission problem, rough ideling, navigation malfunction, radio problem, shocks, oil leaks.... you name it.

konigstiger · 10-30-2009, 05:08 PM

FYI

Smythe European San Jose current customer appreciation discounts: $500-749 = $75 discount, 750-999 = 100, and 1000 or more = 150 expires 11/21/09.

CharlyE500 · 11-06-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by konigstiger

Interesting, PM your email address and I will send a copy of the WIS to adjust which will give you an idea of the many parts to inspect for repair not to mention clean & lubricate.

Hi Konigstiger, can u pls send me the info for how to clean and lubricate the pano-roof..... this is scaring.... I better treat it nice before break.

Thanx !

stickygreen · 11-06-2009, 11:14 PM

Slightly off topic, but do not use Mercedes Benz of Walnut Creek! We had been using them for years and though their general greed and incompetence was always apparent, it wasn't bad enough to justify making a trek to another dealer.

Without getting into details, I now absolutely refuse to take anything to MB WC and we now take our new Bluetec to Julia at MB Pleasanton, where the service has been fantastic thus far.

BTW, MB Walnut Creek runs their service cars through an ancient machine wash that is supposedly very hard on paint, as was admitted to me by one of their employees.

10-22-2009, 09:07 PM	#2
konigstiger MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,936 Drives: '71 Pinto	Interesting, PM your email address and I will send a copy of the WIS to adjust which will give you an idea of the many parts to inspect for repair not to mention clean & lubricate. __________________

10-23-2009, 03:41 PM	#7
novae500 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Loudoun County, VA Posts: 197 Drives: 06 E500 4matic Sport Pkge	seems like they wanted to bait/switch you to buy a new car...hate when they do this type of stuff..... did you use the pano roof alot? is it from wear/tear from use, or just cause the age of the car? it is almost a year since i've had mine and used the roof maybe 10 times. __________________ 06 E500 4Matic Sport Pkge w/Panny Roof

10-23-2009, 09:11 PM	#10
schooner Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 19 Drives: 03 E320	Update... 1. Had local independent mechanic look at it...spent several hours pouring over the panoramic roof with 3 other mechanics (I was gasping at their potential combined billing rates...adding them up in my head). Then mechanic informs me he can't fix it, but then I discover in the process he tore one of the side accordian baffles between roof and glass and broke the tabs off the overhead console (which needs to be removed to access the manual crank). He agrees to replace them at no charge (over $500 in retail part costs) and he didn't charge me for his inspection labor...very fair, if you exclude the dirty oil marks on the headliner from their hands (should be easy to clean). I am very happy that he was cool about the broken stuff. 2. Visited second dealership over an hour away. They have a panoramic sunroof expert who came out to look at it, and immediately said it needs a new motor with 90% confidence, as he has done dozens of these repairs before. $1,200 estimate, and I am feeling good (feel like I just saved $5,300!...may go out for dinner tonight and celebrate). PLUS: they can't begin working on my vehicle until Monday, so instead of making me drive all the way home and come back on Monday, then have someone drive me home again and come back when it is fixed (2 roundtrips, 4 hours, major inconvenience), my service rep gave me a complimentary loaner ('09 ML350) to use over the weekend and until my car is fixed...WOW, I am now feeling like royalty. They also said they would honor a $100 off service coupon from my local dealership (for repairs over $1,000). I had to pinch myself. Then he asked if there were any other serviced the car needed. I asked him to look up the online dealer service history, and he said it looked great for another 1,400 miles (then I will need a Service C). 3. I then went back to my local dealership and spoke to the service manager, explained my experience, and he agreed to mail me a refund check for the $160 diagnostic fee, and he apologized...again, fair enough and nice goodwill. He admitted even he didn't realize the panoramic roof was servicable. Found this interesting and VERY SIMILAR MB service experience on the web: http://www.noob.us/miscellaneous/rip...ership-ambush/ Will update again when I get my car back next week...in the meantime, I will enjoy my complimentary ML350 loaner. Seems like a weekend trip to Tahoe with "my new SUV" is in order!

10-24-2009, 09:55 AM	#11
novae500 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Loudoun County, VA Posts: 197 Drives: 06 E500 4matic Sport Pkge	what a relief for you. Go to another dealer thats somewhat honest and to also hook you up. Thats what i call great customer service from a benz dealership. Good thing its just hte motor and nothing else! __________________ 06 E500 4Matic Sport Pkge w/Panny Roof

10-24-2009, 11:44 PM	#13
Fastgreek Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Macungie, Pa Posts: 299 Drives: 01 E320,04 Duramax , 87 Buick Gn, 89 Turbo TA,	those fluckers..... __________________

10-23-2009, 12:13 AM	#3
e50zero Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 34 Drives: E500	i actually had just a similar repair done on my 03 E500...in the beginning i heard cracking in the tracks and one day i was closing it and one side of the tracks stood straight up after snapped...the repair was to change out one side and it cost approx 600.

10-23-2009, 01:19 AM	#4
schooner Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 19 Drives: 03 E320	This sounds like promising news. Did your MB dealer do the repair for you? If so, who is your dealer? After informing me that the repair cost would be $6,500, and me telling them that it was unbelievable nothing was servicable on the pano roof...I was led to the new car sales department where I was told they could offer me a "pano roof repair adjusted value" of $6,000 for my trade-in. My 2003 E320 vehicle is loaded with options including Command voice system, keyless go, Parktronic, sport package, integrated telephone (bluetooth compatible using "puck"), panoramic sunroof and looks brand new...and has been regularly serviced by the local dealer since it came off the lot. I would rather keep it as a sunny day vehicle than pay $6,500 for a new pano roof or give it up for $6,000 as a trade-in.

10-23-2009, 01:50 PM	#5
e50zero Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 34 Drives: E500	my dealer was fletcher jones in orange county.

10-23-2009, 08:52 PM	#9
JoeVal Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 109 Drives: C350 Elegance	If it don't work, it's NDG. Now, if the motor works, most likely is a a matter of linkage action that usually a little cleaning, TLC, and grease can take care. Options are expensive and, as long as they are fixed as soon as they get inactive, they should work as represented by MB. Cheers, JV **: Overheard in Boston Commons during a conversation between two laureates of English literature coming from a Mensa meeting.

10-24-2009, 11:22 PM	#12
SZMB Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 118 Drives: 2004 E500	Great story, great experience. Sounds like you're going to have a great weekend. It sounded fishy to me when the roof couldn't be closed and the whole roof needs to be replaced. I know the Germans are not as good as the Japanese in electronics, but they couldn't be that dumb in designing a roof that's not serviceable.

10-25-2009, 06:33 PM	#14
gaazmon MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,335 Drives: 2004 E320 Granite Grey Metallic, Ash Interior, Pano Roof	Just because of the creaking noise the pano roof has, I will probably not get one on my next car. It can be quite annoying, but most of the time I have the music up so muffles it out. The only reason I really like it is because of the exterior look it gives. __________________ 2004 E320 - Granite Grey Metallic, Ash Interior - Comfort Package, Entertainment Package, Appearance Package, Panorama Sunroof, Black Birdseye Maple Wood Steering Wheel, Depo Clear Side Markers, Cobra ESD9200 Radar And Laser Detector, DriveRight CarChip E/X

10-29-2009, 06:08 PM	#15
schooner Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 19 Drives: 03 E320	Pano Roof Update I picked up my car today, and after replacement of the motor and two "bridges" the pano roof was repaired as promised...works perfectly. For those in the Bay Area, I can now highly recommend Smythe MB in San Jose. My service rep was Charlie Fish and their pano roof specialist (with over 12 years MB experience) is Nick. Absolutely fabulous work...even cleaned up the grease marks on the headliner from the independent mechanic who previously tried to repair the roof. Even more, they repaired for free the clip for the overhead console, which my local MB dealership said had to be replaced in entirety for $500+. Word to the wise, do your research and always get a second opinion...I saved thousands of dollars. It is a relief to find smart/honest people in the MB dealership world. BTW...I had the '09 ML350 loaner car for nearly a week and "no charge".

10-29-2009, 09:10 PM	#16
Barry45RPM MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Long Island NY USA Posts: 3,832 Drives: 2007 E 550	Always good to hear a good report on an honest, well run dealership. Usually the "goodness" runs from the top down and it affects every person in the Store. I'd send a short note to MBUSA telling them of your exceptional treatment there. It will get back to the dealership. __________________ Current Ride: '07 E-550 Granite/Ash, Sports Package, P2, Wood/Leather Wheel, VCA w/ MHI Cradle & V-710 Verizon Phone. Ordered 10/27/06, Built 1/27/07, Del. 2/28/07 ...a fabulous car! Gone: '04 E 500, Pewter/Stone. Had it all.

10-30-2009, 01:23 AM	#17
SZMB Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 118 Drives: 2004 E500	I agree that the service dept in Smythe European San Jose is absolutely outstanding. I bought my 2004 CPO there, and took my car there for services & repair a few times. It's got several repair floors, that place is HUGE!!! And they're building a brand new 5-story service department in the next 2 yrs. That place is got many master techs. They have fixed all of my problems on the first try: SBC noise, vibration at high speed, 1st-2nd gear transmission problem, rough ideling, navigation malfunction, radio problem, shocks, oil leaks.... you name it.

10-30-2009, 05:08 PM	#18
konigstiger MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 3,936 Drives: '71 Pinto	FYI Smythe European San Jose current customer appreciation discounts: $500-749 = $75 discount, 750-999 = 100, and 1000 or more = 150 expires 11/21/09. __________________

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11-06-2009, 11:14 PM	#20
stickygreen Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 414 Drives: '97 E320	Slightly off topic, but do not use Mercedes Benz of Walnut Creek! We had been using them for years and though their general greed and incompetence was always apparent, it wasn't bad enough to justify making a trek to another dealer. Without getting into details, I now absolutely refuse to take anything to MB WC and we now take our new Bluetec to Julia at MB Pleasanton, where the service has been fantastic thus far. BTW, MB Walnut Creek runs their service cars through an ancient machine wash that is supposedly very hard on paint, as was admitted to me by one of their employees. __________________ Raj '97 cypress/parchment e320 (245k) '05 designo graphite e320 cdi (117k) '09 arctic/cashmere GL320 Bluetec (15k)