Sunroof

Hay_man

I have never had a car with a sunroof in it

Always wanted one, but the cars I drive never seem to have them or they are a rear as hens teeth to find a decent car with one, I mostly drive Audi's and VW's diesels as I do a lot of miles a year, and they just don't seem to have them

so for those of you that have a sunroof are they a must have ??

If you were changing your car again would your next car have to have a Sunroof ?

Or maybe they no good at all ?

Thanks

S28382

I have a E46 with a sunroof and its grand if im just coasting along but if im at speed on the motorway and i had it open there would be some noise in the cabin, i do like having it but ill only use it when im in around the city or just coasting, but then again we aint exactly getting the weather for it.

MetzgerMeister

Let's be honest, not a lot of Irish customers would tick the sunroof option when buying a new car for obvious reasons. It should be called a rain roof here!

The main thing I use my sunroof for is to get all the heat out of the car when it's been sitting in the sun for a few hours. Other than that I just use it to give people behind me the finger :pac:

I've had 2 cars with a sunroof and to be honest, it's not something I really care about in a car. I'd much prefer to have cruise control instead. My current car has a sunroof and I'm selling it at the moment but a sunroof isn't something that would be a deciding factor on the cars I'm looking at.

CJhaughey

I never had one till my current car and TBH after having one, I now realise that it changes the whole feel of a car, the cabin feels much airier and lighter than without one.
Plus you can just tilt it in inclement weather and it greatly increases the airflow through the cabin.
Its already been mentioned but on a hot day you can just slide it back and the bubble of hot air in a parked car will just dissipate very quickly.

wonski

Hay_man wrote: »

I have never had a car with a sunroof in it

Always wanted one, but the cars I drive never seem to have them or they are a rear as hens teeth to find a decent car with one, I mostly drive Audi's and VW's diesels as I do a lot of miles a year, and they just don't seem to have them

so for those of you that have a sunroof are they a must have ??

If you were changing your car again would your next car have to have a Sunroof ?

Or maybe they no good at all ?

Thanks

I have two...

Nothing better than having passenger window opened together with sunroof...Nice breeze, but no wind on your face, like when i open my window.

The only problem is when the sun is high, it can burn your head literally...

I am smoking in the car (i know, i know), so sunroof does help with air circulation inside the cabin.

dr.fuzzenstein

Convertible or Aircon. No use for anything inbetween.

wonski

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Convertible or Aircon. No use for anything inbetween.

Mine isn't convertible, and has no aircon... Sunroof helps a little.

Agreed with another poster about motorway - have to close it too.
Much appreciated in town, or heavy traffic.

Hay_man

Awh no I really want to change my car now to one with a sunroof

Can't really afford to for another year or two

MetzgerMeister

wonski wrote: »

Mine isn't convertible, and has no aircon... Sunroof helps a little.

Agreed with another poster about motorway - have to close it too.
Much appreciated in town, or heavy traffic.

You have a sunroof but no aircon?? That's unusual!

wonski

Hay_man wrote: »

Awh no I really want to change my car now to one with a sunroof

Can't really afford to for another year or two

You are a smoker, aren't you?

Hay_man

OSI wrote: »

If you're reallllllly desperate, there are a few companies that retro-fit them, but I can't imagine them being too great.

Don't think I'd chance it, it would never have the tilt and slide function then I'd imagine

S28382

I do like having the sun roof it is great when i do get the chance to use it so its worth having it there as an option but as was said already it wouldnt be a deciding factor in buying a car, the irish weather is just too miserable.

Yakuza

I have a panoramic (glass) roof (which can be covered if the sun is too strong but by default I leave it open). the car is much brighter and seems roomier when it's open.
I'd find it hard to go back to a car that didn't at least have a sunroof in it from now on.

MetzgerMeister

Hay_man wrote: »

Don't think I'd chance it, it would never have the tilt and slide function then I'd imagine

Nope, from what I know, it's usually a piece of prespex or something like that.

Wolverine_1999

From my point of view, because Ireland has so many dull days a sunroof is actually more useful for these days, as it lets a bit more light into the car!

Also, the sunroof can stay open during a few showers as well in summer when you are driving along as the water doesn't come in, a lot more difficult in a convertible

I won't be buying a car without one

wonski

OSI wrote: »

A lot of Hyundai's came with a Sunroof and no Air Con

I don't think they come together...

In Scenic sunroofs were standard i think...mine has all - alloys, front fogs, two sunroofs, trip computer, CD radio(cd - not tape player), electric heated mirrors/windows, even aftermarket bluetooth... No aircon tough...

Someone didn't need AC 12 years ago, cheap bastard...

pred racer

Ive had several cars with sunroofs, and tbh After the initial play I never opened any of them.

(except for shooting rabbits;) )

wonski

OSI wrote: »

Well a few do. The Hyundai Coupe for example came with AC and Sunroof as standard on the 2.0 and 2.7 models.

What i meant was that not all models have both/any of those options...

2.0 and 2.7 are/were kind of premium models for Hyundai - hence well equipped.

On a side note sunroof in my Fiat Bravo was leaking badly at times, and i know some Renaults (Clio in particular) were having problems with water coming through the overhead console (the one with lights and sunroof buttons). Those rubbers/sealings need to be checked from time to time.

MetzgerMeister

The first car with a sunroof that I had was a 2002 MG ZR. I had terrible trouble with water coming in.

Hay_man

OSI wrote: »

You'd be surprised, stick your car into this site, and it will tell what one's they have for it.

http://sunroof.webasto.co.uk/products/configurator.html

For eg, they do a tilt and slide one for the Golf as well as hidden one,

That's a very good site

I would have to bring the car to Wales to get it done, I could just imagine it costing a fortune for the tilt and slide one I would want,

Think I'll just have to make do with AC for now

wonski

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

The first car with a sunroof that I had was a 2002 MG ZR. I had terrible trouble with water coming in.

Like i said in previous post - those rubbers/sealings need to be checked/replaced from time to time...

It is not a sunroof's fault...well it is, but it is an easy fix.

Anan1

OP - A sunroof will generally reduce available headroom in the car by 3-4cms, make sure you're OK with that before you commit.

Zubeneschamali

I've had a few cars with sunroofs over the years, and I'd rather not. Neither of the current cars does.

They make the car noisier, even when shut. You can't drive fast with them open, any more than you can drive fast with windows open, too much buffeting. They rob headroom.

That's before they car gets older, when they start leaking, and eventually break down, always while open.

No, thanks.

wonski

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I've had a few cars with sunroofs over the years, and I'd rather not. Neither of the current cars does.

They make the car noisier, even when shut. You can't drive fast with them open, any more than you can drive fast with windows open, too much buffeting. They rob headroom.

That's before they car gets older, when they start leaking, and eventually break down, always while open.

No, thanks.

Do you mind me having a guess of what one of those cars was?
Renault - and please do not call me racist,as I have one now...

milltown

I use mine occasionally, when the kids want it open usually, but 99.9% of the time I'd sooner have the two inches of headroom it robs instead.

gooseuk1

Wife was out and sunroof stuck open, the override didnt work so off to the garage.

We didnt have the car for 2 weeks, the garage fitted a new part the roof didnt work still so he sent it to a main dealer who fitted a new switch.

Almost £600 and driving the car in the fast lane on a motorway the sunblind dropped into the car as it had been refitted upside down !!, neither of the garages will admit it was them waiting to hear from the dealer 2 weeks later

next car will NOT have a sunroof

Zubeneschamali

wonski wrote: »

Do you mind me having a guess of what one of those cars was?

Peugeot 205: a manual sliding glass sunroof. Didn't rob headroom, didn't leak or break down. Did make the car noisier when shut, did need to be shut most of the time to prevent buffeting.

Renault Clio: Power sunroof, robbed headroom, had to be shut most of the time, but didn't break down.

Alfa 155: robbed headroom, had to be shut most of the time, eventually stuck open. (there was a way to wind it shut manually, so I did that and left it that way.)

bazz26

Had a few cars with a sunroof . Also had a car with both an electric sunroof and air con back in 2001. No sunroof since, while there is little chance to open the sunroof in this country I always liked the airy feel of the car with it shut and the blind open. Never had any leaking issues with any of them.

JerCotter7

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Peugeot 205: a manual sliding glass sunroof. Didn't rob headroom, didn't leak or break down. Did make the car noisier when shut, did need to be shut most of the time to prevent buffeting.

Renault Clio: Power sunroof, robbed headroom, had to be shut most of the time, but didn't break down.

Alfa 155: robbed headroom, had to be shut most of the time, eventually stuck open. (there was a way to wind it shut manually, so I did that and left it that way.)

Did you compare with the same car without a sunroof for noise? Maybe the cars just had terrible sound insulation. I know my clio did.

And OT: I love having a sunroof. It's metal rather than glass so it matches the car. Hate the look of a glass sunroof on a car. Probably wouldn't buy a car with a glass sunroof.

wonski

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Peugeot 205: a manual sliding glass sunroof. Didn't rob headroom, didn't leak or break down. Did make the car noisier when shut, did need to be shut most of the time to prevent buffeting.

Renault Clio: Power sunroof, robbed headroom, had to be shut most of the time, but didn't break down.

Alfa 155: robbed headroom, had to be shut most of the time, eventually stuck open. (there was a way to wind it shut manually, so I did that and left it that way.)

So the 206 was noisier when sunroof was closed???
How did you measure this?

Clio - robbed headroom??? Most of them (if not all) had sunroof as standard. You knew what the headroom was when you bought the car, didn't you?

Alfa - well, it was an Alfa. I am a big fan of italian cars, if you could shut it manually, then can't see a problem here. People have had much more serious issues with these cars than sunroof...

So you will never ever have a car with one because it didn't work in one of your cars?

MugMugs

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

You have a sunroof but no aircon?? That's unusual!

Sure most car makers don't do both, do they ?

MetzgerMeister

Antares wrote: »

Sure most car makers don't do both, do they ?

Mine has a sunroof and aircon.

sean1141

Im on my second car with a sunroof. First was a 98 avensis with one retrofitted. I didnt do it but one of the previous owners must of had it done. The switch wasnt in the palce it should be if if was factory fitted and it was powered all the time. Neighbours had a 00 avensis with the sunroof factory fitted and was different. I like them but it wouldn't be a deal breaker if the car had not got one.
As for them sticking thats most likely down to them not being used/greesed up regulary. Like any part of the car it needs maintaince, just like air con!

OSI wrote: »

If you're reallllllly desperate, there are a few companies that retro-fit them, but I can't imagine them being too great.

Hay_man wrote: »

Don't think I'd chance it, it would never have the tilt and slide function then I'd imagine

The one in the avensis had tilt and slide

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Nope, from what I know, it's usually a piece of prespex or something like that.

Avensis was glass..

wonski wrote: »

I don't think they come together...

My current mondeo has both.

colm_mcm

Have sunroof and AC in my current car, had both in my fto, and my shogun,

It's nice to have but not a deal breaker, given the choice of just one, I'd take the aircon

YouTookMyName

Had MK1 focus, currently have MK 1 avensis both sunroof no aircon

had 2003 L200 with aircon.

Aircon everytime.

MugMugs

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Antares wrote: »

Sure most car makers don't do both, do they ?

Mine has a sunroof and aircon.

From memory it was one or the other in VW Then again, they were never really forthcoming with bells and whistles.

TrailerBob

Both VW's I had came with factory sunroof, the passat had climatronic too. Miss the sunroof tbh, it definitely added to the car imo.

Anan1

Antares wrote: »

From memory it was one or the other in VW Then again, they were never really forthcoming with bells and whistles.

The Golf GTI had a sunroof as standard for a long time, which could be deleted and the cost credited against a/c. You could there have a/c, a sunroof, or both, but not neither.

OldmanMondeo

Hay_man wrote: »

Don't think I'd chance it, it would never have the tilt and slide function then I'd imagine

I got on retro fitted years ago, pop up only job. Made a big difference to the car. It was a good job, never leaked, let air move great. On good days I was able to leave open while in work, I was able to keep and eye from office.

I have since had a car with a factory fitted roof, tilt and slide. I would get another again no problem.

MugMugs

Anan1 wrote: »

Antares wrote: »

From memory it was one or the other in VW Then again, they were never really forthcoming with bells and whistles.

The Golf GTI had a sunroof as standard for a long time, which could be deleted and the cost credited against a/c. You could there have a/c, a sunroof, or both, but not neither.

GTI is a bit different though. You'd expect something.

When I was had VAG cars they were generally one or the other. That was usually on Comfortline spec.

joolsveer

I have a sunroof and aircon but I never use the sunroof. I usually leave the blind closed because I don't like the sun shining on my bald head!

Anan1

Antares wrote: »

GTI is a bit different though. You'd expect something.

When I was had VAG cars they were generally one or the other. That was usually on Comfortline spec.

Personally, i'd prefer a base car that the owner could option to their own tastes. It kind of sticks in the throat paying extra for a sunroof you don't want! My GTI would have steelies and xenons.

pburns

I had sunroof on a couple of cars, they were quite common on well speced mid-range cars up up until climate control became common. I had one on a Mazda6, think it had climate also.

staker

I've the sunroof and aircon, overkill tbh.

Can get noisy at speed, main downside being the passenger gets to evacuate my smelly farts even though I have the window lock on:mad:

Zubeneschamali

wonski wrote: »

So you will never ever have a car with one because it didn't work in one of your cars?

Are you saying that a sunroof does not rob headroom?

Does not have to be shut most of the time?

Cannot break down?

Stupid yokes, just get aircon.

ShadowHearth

Well mx5 has a briliant sunroof.

My first car with sunroof is my scooby. I don't look for it in cars i buy, but it's nice to have it.

I hate driving with open windows, but sunroof is briliant. Less wind noise, better air flow then open window. I am doing way too short trips for a/c so sunroof hits that magic spot for me.

R.O.R

I don't like sunroofs - I get a bit weirded out by too much light coming from above me (always have the sunvisor down).

Have had a few cars in the past with sunroofs and used them so occasionally that they may as well not have been there. Tilted to let a small bit of air in wasn't too bad, but with the roof open I found there was such bad "buffeting" of wind in the car that you needed to open a window to stop the booming noise the roof would create. Happened on a Mondeo and an Orion, but I've been in other makes where it's happened as well.

OP - you can get a Webasto fitted without going to Wales. http://www.autoglaze.ie/ fit them. Never had it done so no idea of price, but apparently it's more or less to factory standard so tilt/slide with the switches etc. in the correct place.

MuppetCheck

I rang them earlier and the webasto 710 is €1130 fitted. I must say that I am tempted by it as I sorely miss the sunroofs that came with my older fords.

cruizer101

I've a sunroof and no aircon, my first car so no experience of not having one think I'd probably miss it alright. I'd often have it open on tilt lets in a nice amount of air without being too noisy. It would be rare enough that I'd open it back though, only really if sitting in traffic which I don't do a lot, but in that situation its great.

Hay_man

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I rang them earlier and the webasto 710 is €1130 fitted. I must say that I am tempted by it as I sorely miss the sunroofs that came with my older fords.

Hmm 1130 is a nice bit of money but could still be cheaper than changing the car I wounder?

Is that by the company in Dublin?

Any idea how long it would take them to fit to?

Big Nasty

R.O.R wrote: »

Happened on a Mondeo and an Orion, but I've been in other makes where it's happened as well.

An Orion?

The 80's called, they want their sunroof back!