Sunroof or no sunroof?

[Lima]

...As mentioned it may not add much resale value, but could help sell the car over one without etc...

+1

I reckon a sunroof would def make a used car more sellable, but agree it probably won't add a great deal to sell price.

I didn't used to see the point in sunroofs until I bought the Mk4 GTI which had a sunroof as standard spec. We used that one quite a bit, so the Mk5 and S3 also have the roof, and unless it's stinking hot outside they get used quite a lot.

[cktsi]

I open mine quite a fair bit as well.

I like to use it returning home from work on a warm evening.

My car is parked at a bus stop and is always in the hot sun. Even though I close the sunblind and use a windscreen blind, the car is of course very hot by the time I arrive home.

So I use the fob remote to open all windows to expel the hot air... then open the sunroof and switch off the A/C and let the hot air flush out naturally and quickly.

The impact on the fuel consumption is dramatic.... on a hot day I'll average (albeit a short distance) 10.5l/100km using the A/C. When the A/C is switched off but sunroof open it's 7.8l/100km.

Something really nice to return home to.... nice balmy late afternoon / evening with the wind through the hair - and saving fuel to boot.

[G-rig]

So I use the fob remote to open all windows to expel the hot air... then open the sunroof and switch off the A/C and let the hot air flush out naturally and quickly.

You should be able to code in Vagcom so that the remote opens the sunroof too (not sure if you can, but i know you can set it so it closes as well as the windows with the rain sensor).

I doubt many people would buy one for better fuel economy but that's a different angle. I'd mainly use it at night, you just get sunburnt during the day if the sun is coming in.

[NickZ]

I always wanted one but didn't bother in the Polo as it was too small IMO. My wifes liberty has one and I love it! Also, whilst it is effectively a hole in the roof, VW strengthen the roof further to compensate for it so I wouldn't worry from a structural perspective.

The fact your considering it to me also makes me think you want one, but feel the need to justify it (i.e. cost, resale etc). You won't get much back, but your losing far more on the car anyway, so why let that stop you if you can afford it?

[Corey_R]

I loved the sunroof with my MKV Golf GTI and miss not having it in the Polo GTI.

But as with any of these things, some people think sunroofs are crap, some people think they're great, and almost everyone has a different reason to justify their opinion.

Another one of 'these threads' where the only correct answer is what YOU (the OP) thinks.

[GTI2708]

I have had one for the past 6 years and it's used just about daily. Really nice to get the air and light through the cabin.

Only car I wouldn't get one on is the new M3 as it'd be a crime not to have that stunning Carbon roof.

AMEN to that!!

[ozvino]

Word of warning; if your not parking the car in a garage overnight, you have solid odds that eventually it will leak.

The whole concept of the modern sunroof is that water fills around the glass, in the roof, and collects in the channel as its supposed to; all going well, it drains down small tubes that run through your roof lining and down the window pillars and eventually drips out onto the road; all going well, it works fine.....

BUT, if you park outside most of the time and dust and grime eventually fill those drain tubes, your sunroof will eventually leak and water will pool in the drain tubes and make its way into the headlining.....

I love sunroofs but never again; I found out the hard way.....

[Corey_R]

Was that with a VW or another manufacturer?

Also... why don't you clean the sunroof channels? Wouldn't it be possible to do that?

[ozvino]

VW; yes, you can clean the crap and muck out however its impossible to get it all out, not to mention its an awkward place to clean - until it leaks you dont realise its dirty, the outside of the car can be well maintained, its the dust thats the killer

if your car spends most of its time in the garage its likely to not be a problem; if you dont garage it, think about how hard you want that hole in the roof.....

[G-rig]

And how old was the car?

Most people won't keep the car more than 5 or 10 years but know a lot of old cars have that problem.