Cost of Adding Equipment after pick up

[Maverick]

I think u still live in a stone age : )

I had to deal with 4 after market sunroofs (including my current car)

I have to say they are better in functionality thn the stock ones and just as reliable

Extra functionality in what way?

The stock Golf one integrates into the car and can open and close with the windows via the remote and auto rain close using the rain sensor for the wipers.

As far as reliability I doubt that an after-market one will be anywhere near as reliable. It requires extra switches and controllers unlike the oem one and requires drain lines to be run down the A and C pillars. The roof lining and a pillars all have to have their trim removed along with the sill trims. The bracing across the roof needs to be cut out, the interior lights need to be relocated back above the rear passengers (not sure how the installer goes about extended the flat ribbon cable in a reliable manner). I'd also bet that the installer doesn't purchase the correct roof lining from VW. And as for a rolled edge I don't see how this can be done correctly without cracking the paint.

As for Sat navigation - http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=42091

thats kind of on a topic .... Pioneer one looks very good

If you like products that don't integrate in well it sure does, there are many benefits that came with using the oem head units and the RNS 510 can't be beaten once you look at all the issues with the after market units and the cost to fix these problems.

Other than the problems with the battery being drained, poor radio performance (VW headunits have a diversity aerial function) and poor integration with other parts of the car they also don't integrate with the MFD. MFD integration offers sat nav instructions, a compass all the time, street names, audio information including radio which means you can display different information on the headunit and the MFD at the same time.

[Maverick]

how the hell do they put an aftermarket sunroof, just out of curiosity.

They start by removing the roof lining, the a pillar trims, the b pillar trims, the c pillar trims, they remove the roof reinforcement, they cut a hole in the roof, drill holes in the floorpan of the car for the drain tubes and so forth.....

Not something you would get done if you wanted to keep your car like new because VW isn't going to be fixing any rattles that they introduce (and you can bet they will introduce them).

[MurphyTheElf]

Interestingly, when I was considering a Mazda 6, one of the only options available was a sunroof. The dealer said it was a "dealer-fit" option only. Let's just say I dismissed that one there and then.

[gregozedobe]

The other thing i was looking into (but not really considering) is like a Pioneer in-dash gps/radio/cdplayer. Can the VW's steering wheel controls be programmed for the pioneer (or other) system?

I've read of lots of problems with getting aftermarket ICE systems to work correctly in some VWs (draining batteries, steering wheel buttons not working properly etc) so I suggest you only buy a model that you KNOW will work properly in your car (and get it installed by a first class installer with VW experience).

[Highlander]

how the hell do they put an aftermarket sunroof, just out of curiosity.

With a great big can opener

[elisiX]

lol Highlander..

[Corey_R]

lol - as funny as it is... it's actually true!

[guest12345]

wow a big process, quite stupid getting an aftermarket sunroof. Its only a window on the top, i've never liked sunroofs for some reason, maybe because i ride bikes and have had a convertible before.

I don't think it is something of a sudden change of mind thing, either get it on order or don't get it

[nau]

lets not go in to "sunroof sux topic"

before I start on aftermarket one lets just make it clear that Im talking about 3-5 years old ones...

after market one had 3 memory buttons (original one had ...0)
after market one was closing automatically after engine was off original one was not.... (im sure that can be fixed with some hacking but that how it was)

no one give the warranty on original one past 3 years any way... after market one had 2 years warranty
I agree that u might be taking some chances with after market ones but im sure if you do your research you can find someone to make a good quality one...

Other than the problems with the battery being drained, poor radio performance (VW headunits have a diversity aerial function) and poor integration with other parts of the car they also don't integrate with the MFD. MFD integration offers sat nav instructions, a compass all the time, street names, audio information including radio which means you can display different information on the headunit and the MFD at the same time.

I do agree there is an issue with all that, however if you get good installer to do your system and good audio unit (not some cheap a55 one from eBay with all the functions and manual in some language that no one can read) it all can be avoided

[Corey_R]

after market one was closing automatically after engine was off original one was not....

But but, what if you want to have the sunroof stay open when you left the car?! hehe
You can have the original one close automatically when the car detects rain