Auto Glaze - sunroof installation

tedimc

I'd like to get a sunroof in a new 4*4.

There is a long lead time on ordering a specific model with sunroof, but dealer mentioned getting Autoglaze to fit one. Will cost a little more, but can get the model I want.

He swears by them, but has anyone used them? He reckons the sunroof will be a better one than will be fitted by the manufacturer.

Eric Cartman

most of these sunroofs are made by companies like webasto, denso etc…
the aftermarket one may very well have even the same internal components that the OEM one does.

But.
The aftermarket one will not have the factory style controls, may not fit the same and the interior finish on the headliner may be different.

Personally, if there was a factory option, even if it was more expensive or took more time, id be having it over the aftermarket. Also means for warranty reasons you're only going back to one place. Modern cars also come with the ability to close or open sunroofs by holding remote buttons, and some tie in with the rain sensor to auto close the roof, you would be losing these features also.

Oafley Jones

Wouldn't go near a car with an aftermarket sunroof.

colm_mcm

There's a thread about this from a few years ago. Might save a lot of people's time!

colm_mcm

Here
http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2055002953

This is basically the preview of the rest of this thread!

Atlantic Dawn

I'd be weary of ordering one unless I could see an example more or less exactly as it would look inside your car and were 100% happy with that, once it's done it's done there's no undoing. Personally I would wait for the factory one even if it was 6 months. You would also have to inform your insurer of the modification as it would not be as per factory build.

Is it really worth paying out for one? If it's warm you can turn on the AC, sunroof does little or nothing for the heat unless you have it open on a motorway at full legal speed.

kirving

Remember selling on too, it would absolutely put me off as a buyer.

Despite the parts being made by reputable companies, there's not a snowballs chance that an aftermarket company here will be up to the same quality standard as factory fit.

tedimc

Thanks lads for the feedback.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Here
http://touch.boards.ie/thread/2055002953

This is basically the preview of the rest of this thread!

Thanks - still not fully sure. Probably leaning back towards waiting now - not worth taking the risk I suppose....

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Personally I would wait for the factory one even if it was 6 months. You would also have to inform your insurer of the modification as it would not be as per factory build.

Only 6 weeks in it really, so might ring the dealer in the morning and firm up wait times. May look in to other colours & trim options.

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Is it really worth paying out for one? If it's warm you can turn on the AC, sunroof does little or nothing for the heat unless you have it open on a motorway at full legal speed.

I know what you mean, but I've had one in an old car a few years back and loved it. Every car I've had since I've always wished it had one. I had the sunroof open all the time, found the fresh air great when driving.

The dealer was trying to put me off too, but then he conceded saying when your paying out on a new motor you may as well get it the way you want it.

Atlantic Dawn

tedimc wrote: »

Only 6 weeks in it really, so might ring the dealer in the morning and firm up wait times. May look in to other colours & trim options.

If it's only 6 weeks go with that, no way would I go with an aftermarket one when that's the delay.

Alun

My 09 Nissan Qashqai had a Webasto sunroof fitted by Autoglaze from new, and I had no problems at all with it. Fitting was perfect, auto close when the ignition went off, never a leak, nothing.

There was a recall issued by Webasto for some issue with the adhesive between the glass and frame which Autoglaze did for free while I waited, again no problems.

tedimc

Thanks Alun

Decided not to risk it after all; and said I would wait the extra few weeks for the factory fit.

Probably works out for the best, as it's cheaper (albeit slightly) and it suits better from a loan perspective.

colm_mcm

If it's only a few weeks then you're right to go factory