Sunroof or no sunroof?

[Pharkus]

Also one less thing you can enjoy while driving *Shrug

[Lima]

I used to have an Alfa 147 (yes I know.. but it was a great car!). Anyway, it was a standard feature that when you locked the car, if you held the locking button, the sunroof AND windows would close (but you had to hold it till closed). I thought it was a great standard feature and wish it were on all cars. So simple and effective I think.

Believe it or not the S3 cannot do this. It will close the windows, but not the roof. This issue only seems to affect MY10 cars and it is fecking annoying I can tell you. The auto close feature on the Mk5 works faultlessly.

[Lima]

Apart from the potential for leaks, it adds weight to the car and compromises the stiffness of the car.

The weight is marginal (probably less than a tank of fuel -- these are 1350kg+ hatchbacks we're talking about) and similarly any affect on overall stiffness would not be perceptible without some device to measure such things.

We're discussing cars used for the overwhelming majority of their lives for street purposes. Unless you're going to stick a cage in your car and compete in tarmac rallies the so-called negative issues against sunroofs are not worth worrying about.

Likewise with the leaking issue. I've heard of a few Mk5s leaking from the roof when they were first released, but they were all from from cars without a sunroof, so go figure.

[265coupe]

I optioned a sunroof in my 118TSI and am as impressed with it as I expected to be. Had one in the old Honda Euro and still have one in a VN dugger I drive to work (Hollandia).

Never has any of them leaked. The VN is 20years old with no sunroof maintainence ever. It has never leaked or failed to work correctly. The car does leak though, through the rear window rust.

There is no feeling like driving in the evening with the air on and roof open. It just feels good. Same in winter, heater on and roof open.

Obviously too hot in summer daytime. Seals perishing and drains blocking are a long shot unless you park near a steel smelter. Remember these are quality roofs, not a dunnylid pop up from Supercheap.

Go for a country drive and smell the roses. Let your kids look up and count the stars instead of down at their Nintendo.

I for one would always buy a sunroof equipped car over one without with all other things being equal.

Buy one and enjoy it.

[cktsi]

Go for a country drive and smell the roses. Let your kids look up and count the stars instead of down at their Nintendo.

Cue the naysayers who will pick an argument with this...



Even if I'm not looking through the roof, at least the front passengers can.

But when I drive I'm not always looking dead ahead. I check my mirrors, blindspot when I'm changing lane... and yes to alleviate boredom on a long drive, when it's safe I'll turn my head to check out the scenery... and yes when it's safe I'll look through the roof because I can.

...and I've never left the road nor had a collision from checking out the scenery in all my years of driving

[pologti18t]

A sunroof doesn't add alot of weight but it adds it in exactly the wrong place... Up high. It's the reason an M3 has a C/F roof

[Guy_H]

Sunroof sucks if you are over 6 foot tall & occasionally wear a helmet in the car - not good!

[Corey_R]

Sunroof sucks if you are over 6 foot tall & occasionally wear a helmet in the car - not good!

Even in a GTI? Or just an S3?

I have issues with the S3 with a sunroof even when NOT wearing a helmet. It's one of the reasons I couldn't consider the current S3

[roy]

for me , it's nice to have but not necessary

[flappa]

I have never had anyone tell me their Factory Sunroof has leaked. I'm sure they are out there, but I dont think its really very common. Conversely, I have HEAPS of mates tell me their aftermarket sunroof has leaked.

[Corey_R]

I noticed the APR in America are using GTI's with Sunroofs for their race cars. There is a gallery of the MK6 Motorsport Buildup Gallery here. They're not complete yet in that gallery, but take it for what it's worth - maybe the sunroof isn't as much as a 'weight' or 'strength' issue as people think ?!

[265coupe]

Just as I suspected, those Yanks really know how to enjoy their racing. Roof open, catching a tan and the smell of Castrol R in the air.

[Axis]

Perhaps the race cars will have a roll-cage to compensate?

[DonkeyKong]

All my previous cars (6 in total) have sunroof. I find it is a luxury but unnecessary. It accumulates dirt and very difficult to clean. I gave it a miss on this occasion with my GTI order. I have the intention to hand this GTI to my son, 10yrs old. I just don't want another added headache on this serviceable item at later date.

[Corey_R]

Perhaps the race cars will have a roll-cage to compensate?

More than likely
But still... if they're fitting them to racecars....