Wow that's beautiful! Diesel and 4Matic will make many on the forum salivate. Welcome!! I am sure you'll get a million questions.

First one -- the picture showing the Westfalia badge appears to show a self coiled 6 to 10 AWG (16mm to 6mm) coiled solar cable. They are available here but you don't see many. Is that a factory add or aftermarket?

 

Hi there,

Thanks! This is aftermarket. I installed a 320 watt solar kit from this company (sorry only in German):

https://www.calisolar.ch/produkte-f%C3%BCr-mercedes/solaranlagen-m/calisolar-m-marco-polo-v-klasse/

The only issue with the coiled cable is that when you raise or lower the roof the coils "clunk" as they slide across the top. To avoid long term issues with the paint via rubbing, etc, I use the MBAC iOS application to raise and lower the roof and hold the cable away from the roof with my hand. So it looks good, but is not the most ideal setup. Especially if it is bad weather. ;-)

 

Welcome to the forum.

That is something we don't get to see on this side of the ocean.

Super sharp looking Marco Polo! !!

V-class all wheel drive, body color, headlights, dashboard, safety features, ...

And a custom solar setup with custom (near) flush roof panels and flexible solar panels. Wonderful!

 

There is an English speaking Marco Polo forum.

Mercedes Marco Polo Owners Club and Forum

Owners Discussion Forum. Free Marco Polo Campervan Technical Information, buyers advice and general chat

www.marcopoloownersclub.com

Flaunting things we cannot simply buy from MB here in the states might not make everyone warm and fuzzy inside. I'm scratching my head. You do you though.

 

There is an English speaking Marco Polo forum.

Mercedes Marco Polo Owners Club and Forum

Owners Discussion Forum. Free Marco Polo Campervan Technical Information, buyers advice and general chat

www.marcopoloownersclub.com

Flaunting things we cannot simply buy from MB here in the states might not make everyone warm and fuzzy inside. I'm scratching my head. You do you though.

I am a member on that forum. It's not very active unfortunately.

 

He is there

New MP owner soon. Taking delivery of MP 300d AMG next Thursday!

Greetings everyone, Been a silent observer for quite some time and am finally taking the plunge. I'll be receiving my 2021 MP 300d AMG in Canvasite Blue this Thursday! I'm super excited and it feels like Christmas. I've learned a lot being a voyeur so far here so hope I can contribute in the...

www.marcopoloownersclub.com

 

I looked first Cracked roof already. Ouch. Sounds like an issue with operating it with windows shut or bed raised. Removed the awning. I guess that's after the pics.

 

I had the dealer remove the awning prior to delivery as the Westphalia awning is ugly and doesn't have a rubber seal along the door edge so rain will fall through easily. I've ordered a Fiamma F35 instead that is lower profile.

Not a cracked roof, but a warped roof from delivery. My service center has 4 other customers waiting for replacement roofs with one waiting since April. Not due to user operating error, but manufacturing defect unfortunately. I was told it might be until February next year to receive the replacement.

 

Welcome to the Metris forum. That's one nice Polo for sure. I think most of us will be interested in hearing how certain customizations were done on the Marco Polo. I'm also interested to learn more about the "Spezial Spiralkabel" solar wire.

Would you be able to take a photo from the inside with the tail gate open? I would like to know how it enters the grommet that connects the all the other wires to the tail gate. How do they ensure that water doesn't get into the inner ceiling?

 

Coiled wire can be sourced. Probably need to look around for something UV rated.

https://www.cablescience.com/neoprene-rubber-power-coiled-cord-12-gauge-with-2-conductors-no-shield-600volts-awg-retractable.html

There are some tricks to making your own with heat shrink sleeve.

 

Gruzzi, wie gehts?
This is a beautiful rig! almost painful to watch from California, specially for me originally from Switzerland who moved here years ago! ;-) So I built my own little Polo erzartz!

To avoid the nice but rubbing coil solar cable issue, I just went through the roof, with a elbow in the cable (between the Reimo roof and the van metal roof. I put a elastic string to pull the cable , to prevent pinching it when the roof is going down. But after a month of storage, the cable "memorized" the elbow shape... One benefit is stealth: You don't see the solar panel/cables.

To all:
I am dreaming of the 4WD (to compensate the low clearance and poor ability to reach the nice spots 1 mile off the road)
I wonder if it's feasible to upgrade a 2017 Metric to 4WD by purchasing the parts...

 

@Serge9898 I would love to see a photo or two on your solar entry through the roof. Sounds interesting.

 

Here you go. I drew in red the cable "elbow" between the poptop roof and the van roof to allow the poptop opening.
So you don't see cables or panel when you stand around the van.

 

@Serge9898 Thank you for the photos. Looks really clean and like a good solution. I appreciate the red line which makes it easy to visualize. Is the roof gland custom made?

 

roof gland

No it's a cheap cable entry plate from Camping World link here. There are several models.
Not sure it's a better solution than a good solar cable gland