Old Mercs, best to avoid one with a sunroof?

[sunking101]

Hi, got the chance of upgrading my 190E 1.8 manual to a 190E 2.0 auto. Both are in fine condition but the 2.0 has done less miles and I quite fancy an auto. One problem though, it has a sunroof. I've always had a thing about old cars and sunroofs ever since owning a few old E30 Beemers. They were weak points for rust.....big time. Do 190's suffer the same problems with their sunroofs? I never use them anyway and don't really fancy some rust-prone area and potential water leakage zone unless I can be convinced that the 190E has a better design and is better rust-proofed than the old BMW's. Advice appreciated!

 

[louisjames]

iv had loads of bm's and few mercs. e30's have a fault of the seal on rear clusters breaking, thus letting water in. has to be said ive never seen any bmws with bad sunroof probs. yet most older mercs, do suffer with roof probs. each older mb i had did, and you will find never ending threads on roofs and leaks. i would avoid s/roofs personally on an mb.

as far as the beemers go, the saying is that if its rusting, its been damaged. ie, bmws do not rust! or thats the theory anyway, and in my opinion and from what ive seen and read etc, mercs suffer from rust more than bm's.

a point im rather bitter about as my low miles, 1998, 1 owner eclass front wing started to rust. i just had to get the pair fixed, bootlid done by previous owner. re-assuring eh!?

there is some good tips on this forum of where to check for rust etc, run a search.

good luck!

 

[LANDR0VER]

I have owened mercs for years and never once had a problem with the sunroofs....if you use them regular they dont seem to get leaks...

 

[mike65]

Mine 190 is 15 year old and has no signs of rust and works fine. No leaks either.

Mike.

 

[sunking101]

Good stuff! It just scares me that a sunroof I will never use might be the source of such misery (leaks, rust)! Hard to find anything other than the odd base model that doesn't have one though :-|

 

[SLinKyjoe]

why would you never use it?

in some decent weather they are nice to help blow some fresh air in...and in winter if you tilt it open it will help you clear the windows of mist.

Mind you...so will air/con if it isnt too cold outside.

wish i had a sunroof on mine! No light from solid roof.

 

[stwat]

I own a 15 year old 190 and the sunroof works fine and doesnt leak at all. And has no rust at all.

It might be a good idea to check the roof for rust before buying!!!

Stu

 

[turnipsock]

I have two sunroofs, not on the same car. I use them all the time, even though I have to keep my hat on at this time of year, and have never had any problems.

You have to wonder about the people with softtop cars driving around with the roof up on the hottest day of year. Then there are the people that buy cars with popup headlights (to improve aerodynamics and protect the lights when they are not in use) and drive around with them up all the time...what's that all about?

 

[TheJim]

The sunroof on my 190e is a bit stubborn to open if it has not been used in a while, but no leaks or rust at all. Can't say I have ever seen a 190 series with a rusty sunroof either. I shall have to look around.

 

[pascal]

I had two W124, 88 230E, 93 300CE. Used them all the time (weather permitting). No problems at all.

CEs a great with all the windows down and sunroof open on hot summer days.

Mind you I kept all the gubbins clean and oiled.

No such worries now that I have an SL:grin:

 

[TheJim]

Is the trick to keep them in regular use and well lubed? I suppose a lot of folks don't use them for half the year and then wonder why they have seized...... I shall have to invest in a cossack hat and use mine all the time.
or Turnipsock old bean, do you have a spare Deerstalker?

 

[stwat]

Its a good idea to keep all the moving parts greased and oiled. A can of spray grease is exelent for this. That way it should never seize up, unless the motor goes of coarse.

Stu