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Most - Let the sun shine on in! - Smileyman

You know when you want something, yet the established tell you that you don’t? OK, it’s not a problem having a minority viewpoint – over the past years I have stated a few times on this discussion forum that I want an opening sunroof on my next car … ideally factory built but if not then aftermarket will be the solution. Yes, I know that on days when the outside temperature is in the 80F’s (27C upwards) air conditioning is good, but recent weather has been a perfect example of when air con really is not needed, around 70F / 21C and sunny, it’s sunroof weather!

There are very few cars with sunroofs, just a few manufacturers offer them on a handful of cars, or if included as standard spec invariably these are the top spec cars which command the highest of prices. It took time to find the right fitter/dealer and to coordinate with my diary but it’s now done, and at the end of August I had a Webasto sunroof fitted. For my new car there was no factory sunroof option, and anyway when I purchased the car the dealer had a special offer, a new car laden with lots of useful toys nearly 40% off list price - and that’s also important to me too.

I know a few naysayers will make comments about leakage, or structural integrity, or airbags not working, or reduced headroom … I’ve researched all these and none are a problem. Anyway, the factory sunroofs on the Maestro I drove in the 1980’s and the Primera from 2004 both leaked, and had to be repaired under warranty. Also, as I plan to keep the car for a good few years, possibly until scrappage like the previous two Primera cars I drove (at 170k+ and 180k+ miles respectively) so resale value is a distant thought.

Let the sun shine on in!

Most - Let the sun shine on in! - focussed

Not for me I'm afraid - every car I have ever had with a sunroof has experienced trouble with them sooner or later, including 3 or 4 from new. Won't close properly with the tilt and slide oem type, noisy when open at speed so you need a deflector, another unecessary piece of kit to clean and lubricate. Sorry!

Most - Let the sun shine on in! - Avant
I’ve enjoyed Webasto-type sunroofs in the past, but once you’ve had a convertible you are spoilt and a sunroof doesn’t satisfy. But if you want one, you’re right to go for the folding one, as most OE sunroofs have such a small opening area that the considerable cost isn’t worth it.
Most - Let the sun shine on in! - badbusdriver

I have not had that much experience of sunroofs in cars, but none have leaked or caused any other problems. 1st of these were my Dad's 1980 MK2 Granada estate which had a manual tilt and slide metal factory one, 2nd was a 1977 mk1 Fiesta (my 1st car) which had a tilting glass aftermarket job, and last was a 1982 Saab 900 which had a manual sliding metal factory one.

When looking at possibilities for our next car about 18 months ago, I was surprised to discover that the top of the range Hyundai i10 had an electric sunroof (glass I think).

I would like a sunroof too, so I understand where you are coming from.

Most - Let the sun shine on in! - badbusdriver

Just remembered, there was also a Capri before the Saab, it had the same kind as Dad's Granada.

Been on the Webasto website, and it is not just the 'traditional' sliding fabric (Rover P6 anyone?), but they also do tilt and slide glass or metal ones. Which one did you go for Smileyman?

Most - Let the sun shine on in! - nellyjak

No worries...your car...your money...your choice...enjoy it.

I had a 2004 Nissan XTrail not so many years ago..didn't much care for the car (flimsy I thought) but the factory fitted sunroof was excellent..quite large, electric and had tilt/slide and "built in" deflector../and it never leaked or failed in my ownership (2 years)

I used it quite a lot....it was lovely to have that expanse of sky above my head on a nice day..

Edited by nellyjak on 15/09/2018 at 10:09

Most - Let the sun shine on in! - Smileyman

The sunroof installed is the "300 Deluxe Medium". This is a glass roof, electric operation, slide and tilt, the vent is smaller than on factory fitted roofs but I already do notice a significant difference between when open and before when I used to open the window. It's especially good when in town, hardly a whisper, when on motorways all sunroofs do create more noise, but still preferable to driving with the window open. (Safer too, when stationary at traffic lights).

The choice of sunroof varies between cars, for some there is the option of a long length folding fabric roof, others can have in-built sliding & tilt roofs that look as if they are factory options (much more expensive and requires 2 days to install). I went for a product at the cheaper end of the spectrum - balance between cost and function. The fitting was a pain free process, I dropped the car at the worksop at 8.30 and collected it 4pm, I didn't stay to watch the hole in the roof being cut.

I've never driven a convertable, someyears ago I was once offered when hiring a car at LAX but practical issues like where to place my camera bag (away from prying eyes etc) meant I refused the car.

Most - Let the sun shine on in! - J0HNuk

When I had hot hatches in the 80's and very early 90's, I absolutely had to have a sun roof. If you had a GTi or RS Turbo without a sun roof, you were a poor relation. Then I got a car with air con! Never gave sun roofs a second thought after that. If I wanted to hear rushing air I'd open a window (which I've been doing a lot recently, my air con has knackered!)

Each to their own.

Most - Let the sun shine on in! - John F

And when the sun shines on in too much the solar panel in the Audi's Webasto fires up fans to cool the greenhouse.

Most - Let the sun shine on in! - liammcl

I have a sunroof, (or a rain roof ;) )... a push up one...no probs at all.

if it's hot, I reach over, and manually wind down the passenger side window .

if it's hotty mcscorchio , I push open the rear side quater windows , too
and put the blowers on cold and directed at the feet.

If I am off on a long journey, and am likely to be suck in traffic,
I just bring along my 12 inch fan , on the passenger seat, and connect it via an 240v inverter to the cig lighter.
Works for me...
ps you can set the fan off to cool the hot insides of the car, befor eyou set off...
the remote and magic pixies inside were £6 from fleabay
www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8aE1l5oJ0w

ps Air Con and automatic windows & power steering are the work of the divil !
Liam
pps I haven't looked but I'd imagine the push up sunroof, on mine, could be taken off quite easily by undoing a few screws on the glass itself ?...


ppps 1997 pocket rocket , sporty 3 stud, peugeot 106, 1.1 ...

Edited by liammcl on 16/09/2018 at 04:15

Most - Let the sun shine on in! - liammcl

ps, I've just , this second, found out that my rainroof comes out...
press a button in ,
and the whole lot slides off...
takes 5 seconds..

ibb.co/jkHJ7K

ibb.co/mJzLMe

ibb.co/nDmNZz

now we wait for Sunny Mc Sunnybum to make an apperance :)
Cheers
Liam