Is a sunroof worth it?

[Saida]

A lot of new cars now are coming standard with a sunroof as car buyers won't even consider a car without one.

In reality the same people don't even use them, as when it's hot you want to avoid sunlight you want shade so it's closed.

When it's raining it's closed obviously water and electricity don't mix.

On cool day it's open but makes wind noise and rattles and then it gets stuck.

Is the looks worth the struggle.

 

[Coisman]

No.
My previous BMW had one, my current doesn't. Don't miss it at all.

 

[TurboLlew]

I am interested to know on what basis do you believe that those who have sunroofs don't use them? I love having a sunroof... Even if it is not opened to the elements it makes the interior less claustrophobic/dull IMHO. You can always close the shade if it is too hot/bright. First thing I do when getting into my wife's car before setting off is to open the shades. Wind noise could be an issue at highway speeds but I have not had issues with rattles or it getting stuck. It isn't a must-have feature for me, but on two otherwise identical cars, I would go with the sunroof every time. Those things you are talking about as a 'struggle' have never been an issue for me - you can drive a 'non sunroof' car and still have a ton of heat building up in the car on a sunny day. Personally it is probably 95% function and maybe 5% looks (if that). You might argue that ticking the carbon roof option is actually the opposite(since who is really going to notice this even if tracking their otherwise 'full weight car'. I think this is an easier assumption to make. If sunroofs were not desirable, that people didn't care/wouldn't notice or left people with bad experiences, manufacturers would gladly strip out that cost or remove them as options as they tend to do even with useful things (eg: manual gearboxes, DCTs, hydraulic steering, tactile buttons, "real" leather, RWD...)

 

[GravityLee]

I wouldn't even consider a car without a sunroof.

 

[Saida]

I am interested to know on what basis do you believe that those who have sunroofs don't use them? I love having a sunroof... Even if it is not opened to the elements it makes the interior less claustrophobic/dull IMHO. You can always close the shade if it is too hot/bright. First thing I do when getting into my wife's car before setting off is to open the shades. Wind noise could be an issue at highway speeds but I have not had issues with rattles or it getting stuck. It isn't a must-have feature for me, but on two otherwise identical cars, I would go with the sunroof every time. Those things you are talking about as a 'struggle' have never been an issue for me - you can drive a 'non sunroof' car and still have a ton of heat building up in the car on a sunny day. Personally it is probably 95% function and maybe 5% looks (if that). You might argue that ticking the carbon roof option is actually the opposite(since who is really going to notice this even if tracking their otherwise 'full weight car'. I think this is an easier assumption to make. If sunroofs were not desirable, that people didn't care/wouldn't notice or left people with bad experiences, manufacturers would gladly strip out that cost or remove them as options as they tend to do even with useful things (eg: manual gearboxes, DCTs, hydraulic steering, tactile buttons, "real" leather, RWD...)

This is my opinion looking at the disadvantages vs the advantages a friend of mine has a VW Golf 7 and that sunroof looks amazing I must say he says he never opens the sunroof anymore the machanism got stuck one day due to the dust build up on the rails and a visit to vw to fix it, a colleague has this new Hyundai Tucson with big panaromic sunroof and man that thing looks great but he keeps it closed in the sun otherwise he'll get sunburn, and it doesn't really cool the car better than the air conditioning so I ask it worth the looks I prefer a hard roof it's safer and I've read stories on YouTube of the water drains getting blocked and leaking water on the interior man the disadvantages are plenty.

 

[70007]

I wouldn't even consider a car without a sunroof.

Same with me. A must have together with xenons or LED headlights as a minimum.


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[GoCart]

So OP, as you have already decided a sunroof is not for you, what exactly is your question here?

Some people love it, some don't.

A well maintained mechanism will not usually be problematic, so I don't know were the "struggle" is.

If I go to the beach, and relax in the sunshine without protection, is my pain the umbrella's fault which I chose not to use for shade?

 

[Tinuva]

I have had E46s both with and without sunroofs.

Personally I prefer to have them, they are useful to me.

When you cruise non-highway speeds, have it flip on the rear side only (so not completely open) and have the moonshade block the sun, it adds a nice breeze to the car while driving. It is really nice. In fact, it even moves more air through the AC vents while circulation is turned off without the noise of the fans. Heck the natural wind noise is better than fan noise when in this mode.
Also...I can hear the tune from the rear better.

Funny enough, on 3 cars with sunroofs, only 1 had some form of an issue, and I fixed it myself. It really wasnt that hard, just had to align a few things better after someone else did a bad fix. This is one thing I won't retrofit, because I think then the drain vents do not exist.

Also love having it completely open on beach cruises. That fresh air is mostly nice.

On the highway though, mostly do close it, because then the noise is in fact too much.

 

[TurboLlew]

Ah so sample of two: one who can’t maintain his car properly and the other who doesn’t know how the sun works?

I think the struggle might be something other than the sunroof

 

[Saida]

So OP, as you have already decided a sunroof is not for you, what exactly is your question here?

Some people love it, some don't.

A well maintained mechanism will not usually be problematic, so I don't know were the "struggle" is.

If I go to the beach, and relax in the sunshine without protection, is my pain the umbrella's fault which I chose not to use for shade?

What is the mantainance on a sunroof?

 

[Nomad77]

Personally I love my sunroof. I don't often open it fully but on a late night drive or even just chilling in the sun during winter I love it. It definitely adds to giving the car that open feeling and popping the back lets me hear some exhaust and turbo noise which is always a plus.

 

[MR_Y]

Too much air pollution in Gauteng for me. My 320d had one and I only really used it on long drives OUT of Gauteng.

 

[Delizo]

Definitely a must have for me

 

[TBP88]

Not for me, have never owned a car with one. My dad has a panoramic glass roof which is a fun party trick, but in reality just sits closed (with the shade covering it) 99.99% of the time.

Certainly not something I'd ever pay a premium for on a car. If I wanted open air I'd get a drop-top.

 

[KarshS]

Sunroof is a must for me as well. the tilt just picks up the look of the car.
I would consider one without but it must be a bargain or something that sets it apart from others thats for sale.

 

[v1p3r]

The vent function is very nice for me, having air flow inside on mild/cooler days without having the air vent making a noise or the side windows blustering.

Have never had an issue with my sunroofs as I remove whatever dirt or twigs or leaves etc have gotten in there, same as in the wiper scuttle, boot frames etc.

The extra feeling of "space" it gives/less claustrophobic is also good, with more light coming in. There is the sliding shade to cover it when there is very harsh sun. On M-Sport models the anthracite roof liner can make the car dark inside at times, also depending on your interior colour so natural light is sometimes welcome.

One of the first things I do when getting in is getting the air to vent in.

 

[momo1]

I make use of it often in summer, besides all the notions mentioned above, it can act also as a somewhat safety feature ,i rather have the sunroof opened on a warm day then the windows at a dodgy set of lights or stop street,

 

[ooovie]

The car looks so much better when the sunroof is on tilt.
In the early mornings or sunset i have it fully open, I just love the air flow.

I've always wanted a convertible. So until I get 1, the sunroof will have to suffice.

 

[M3turbo]

If it didn't make car heavier then it would be definitive YES...

 

[Rotinaj]

Crazy people i tell you. I buy on Condition vs Price. As long as the colour is not offensive i can certainly not give a crap about a sunroof. Grew up with them, never made much of a difference. Infact my current most daily car has a Sunroof, a big diesel station wagon. i would rather have enjoyed electric seats to be frank but hey, the car is unbeatable for the condition and price.