I've been finding lots of glass roof panels but noting so far in steel. ( At least in the USA where I've been looking. ) Has anyone seen a steel panel? These show up in the Mercedes parts catalog but I'm not sure if they made their way to the US or not.

My goal is to reduce sun load in the car. Even with the shade closed heating from the sun will occur.

If a steel panel does not show up, I'll get some dark UV -IR reflective tint applied to the inside.

Thanks

There have been instances of panel interchangeability in the past.

I wonder if you can find the part number for the W202 steel version and see if it shows up on other models....

Re your fallback position, my brother in Tucson routinely tints his glass sunroofs, and if the attributes of the tint are chosen wisely, the tint reduces the heat load considerably. I'm no expert on tinting, but I do know the darkness of the tint is not the key to reducing heat load. There are relatively clear tints that can do wonders for the interior temperatures.

For me the answer is simple. I just leave the cover closed on my glass ones......

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Another thought: The steel panel has a fixed inside cover that only moves with the steel panel.

There will be more to the conversion than simply changing the outside panel.

I did note recently that I was able to remove the sunroof assembly from a W124 by simply removing multiple 10mm bolts that attached the assembly to the roof structure.

BTW, I think it's the W124 and the W201 that have the same sunroof panels...

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Thanks. I've dug deeper into the parts listing and found the steel sunroof has a different frame ( the tunnel that runs the length of the car. ) so I'd have to change the entire assembly. This isn't an issue as the windshield and head liner are out at the moment.

I'll probably go with tint or even white vinyl on the inside. I'm going to keep the shade closed but the barely tinted glass roof lets heat enter the car. I don't like sunroof cars due to the loss of headroom but this car was the right color ( 702 Smoke Silver ) , the right price ( $ 1,000 rust free 97 C280 with a mouse chewed engine harness ) and Mom is the primary driver.