panoramic sunroof q.

[schnell]

hey all,

looking at ordering a Polo GTI this week, just a quick Q about the sunroof.

I love sunroofs but am thinking that it will add quiet a bit of weight to the Polo.. anyone know what it weighs?

cheers

[GTI JOE]

...about as much as a transvestite Perhaps ask Frostee who has ordered one

[schnell]

a transvestite with bulimia or a fat tranny? atleast getting the 3dr will take some of the weight out of the equation.

[gavs]

a transvestite with bulimia or a fat tranny? atleast getting the 3dr will take some of the weight out of the equation.

Interesting that you draw attention to that point because I too thought that, yet VW claim that the weight is identical. Not sure on the exact weight but to give u an idea, the last thing I designed had a huge piece of glass for the top/rear window which is 4mm thick and about the same size as the 2 pieces to the panoramic sunroof and that is a 12kg piece of glass. Add in the mechanics of it all, I'd say you wouldn't get much change from 14-15kgs. Plus it will also lift your roll centre which will effect handling, hmmm, never thought of that before now!

[aljobar]

It also reduces structural/torsional rigidity. I'm not going to pretend I know what I'm talking about, but basically a car is stiffer when it doesn't have a gaping hole cut in one of the critical components

[Frostee]

...about as much as a transvestite Perhaps ask Frostee who has ordered one

Here we go again!

[Frostee]

It also reduces structural/torsional rigidity. I'm not going to pretend I know what I'm talking about, but basically a car is stiffer when it doesn't have a gaping hole cut in one of the critical components

If there was any significant reduction in safety/rigidity of the vehicle with the sunroof, don't you think the ANCAP rating would state that it excludes vehicles with sunroofs? I personally can't see how it would change anything, as that portion of the roof structureisn't load bearing.

[apples]

When I ordered the sunroof I had asked the salesman whether the addition of the sunroof would affect the ANCAP rating and his reply was that it didn't. He had mentioned something about the structure of the side of the roof being modified so that it would keep its 5 star rating.

But then again, it's not like a salesman would say anything to make a sale

[aljobar]

I'm talking fairly generally, far beyond what will affect a Polo everyday and probably regarding RWD cars more.

Although the roof isn't load bearing per se, the "twist" caused by the torque of the engine will move through the roof, just like the rest of the car. The stiffer you can make the body, the less affected it will be by the "twist", which is why, in some cases, a roll cage will improve the handling of a very powerful car.

Like you say, the difference isn't big enough to change ANCAP ratings, it's just that technically speaking, a car with a sunroof is marginally less stiff than one without, and this can have implications for some cars

[schnell]

Thanks for the replies. I think that if it is going to add another 15kg, it is definitely going to affect the handling. Also just saved myself a few quid that could be better used on some Mk4 R32 Aristos or an APR Chip.