Panoramic sunroofs

[AdamD]

Would you agree with an earlier poster that wind buffering on the new MK7 Golf sunroof is worse than the old one?

I have a sunroof on my MK5 Golf and even at freeway speeds there is practically no wind buffering.

I've driven a Mk7 GTI with the roof open at 80km/h and under those particular conditions it was no worse than the sunroof in my Mk6 at the same speed.

(Obviously this was only based on observation, and buffeting can be affected significantly depending on wind direction and speed.)

[MissT]

I have a Tiguan with the panorama sunroof.
On the plus side - it looks great, I can open it up and get fresh air and sunlight ( or star light), there is minimal noise and buffeting even at high speeds (I regularly drive at 110km with it open).
On the down side - due to the poor design of the drainage & poor replacement parts it leaks. It has had front drains replaced, back drains replaced, front elbow replaced and then cycled back to the new front drains failing. That is 4 separate leaks over 5 years. All fixes have been done by a VW dealer.
As this is not something that I can continue to finance I am now considering 2 options:
1. filling up the drainage pipes with sealant so that the water pools on top rather than in the footwells, walls & ceiling. This I suspect would create new issues. Sunny43.5 perhaps you are able to offer some suggestions?
2. Replacing the Tiguan with something without a sunroof. Sad as I love my Tiguan, it's a great car to drive.

[Sunny43.5]

Hi Miss T as I posted I have seen a major fault with the way VW attach the drain pipes to the sunroof housings on the Tiguans , they use a two part connector the actual tube going to the road is plastic but then they attach a sort of preformed silicone rubber part that fits over a bulb shaped outlet on each corner . From what I saw on the one last week the bulb part seems to be expanding and no longer seals plus the actual join between the hose and the connector also leaks badly . The better method that is used by most sunroof makers is to use a one piece hose which has to be stretched over a slightly bulbulous end of the connection on the housing and is then clamped these never fail . Maybe the dealers should be asking VW for a modification to be done to all these roofs . Do not block the drains please this will lead to a wrecked hood trim and water all over the seats etc . VW would void your warranty if you did this , maybe get them to contact me I can give them the correct modification that could be done .

[MissT]

Hi Sunny43.5
thanks so much for the response. I won't be trying to fill the drainage pipes with silicone. As I my Tiguan is still with the dealer & not yet fixed I will pass your recommendation on. Hopefully they will be serious about preventing further leaks & be interested in contacting you for the details of how to fix it properly.
Cheers, Tara