Car sunroofs

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olive
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Car sunroofs

Postby olive » Fri Oct 20, 2017 6:48 pm

We are looking to buy a secondhand VAG group car.

We have narrowed it down to two vehicles. One has a factory fit full length sunroof of which the front part opens. The whole thing has a flimsy “mesh” that electrically covers it. In the past i have had cars here with small sunroofs but could slide a solid screen over. It Was great for more light.

Question is will a full length one be a liability in the Andalucian sun?

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costakid
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby costakid » Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:46 pm

The mesh does stop the sun but to be honest how often do you use a sunroof in Andalucia.

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peteroldracer
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby peteroldracer » Fri Oct 20, 2017 7:54 pm

And you might pay a higher insurance premium as they are not very thief-proof....suggest you get quotes.
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costakid
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby costakid » Fri Oct 20, 2017 9:36 pm

Really

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dxf
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby dxf » Fri Oct 20, 2017 10:04 pm

Hola

Some of the "Extras" like sunroofs are "Dealer options" not factory fitted and as such may fail the ITV test

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El Cid
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby El Cid » Fri Oct 20, 2017 10:20 pm

The full length sun roofs are most likely to be factory fitted as it would be incredibly expensive to retro fit them and typically they cost €1000 as a factory fit and they are fully integrated with the electronic systems such as the remote locking.

Personally there is no way I would want one in Spain. The last thing you want is hot fresh air coming into the car or strong sunlight as well. That’s why convertibles are rare in southern Spain.

Sid

olive
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby olive » Fri Oct 20, 2017 10:32 pm

Sid, that is what we thought about the heat side of things. The salesman said “it is special glass” but he would. Yes they are standard factory fit and well made. We have always bought well equiped cars - why wouldnt you? Insurance premium might ge a bit higher. Heyho.

What might be a bigger problem is that four of the last five cars we have viewed were imports from Germany and one from Framce, then replated. So insurance might be difficult as not on the menu. Secondhand nacional high specced cars are a bit thin on the ground, might be a crisis thing.

Lyric
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby Lyric » Fri Oct 20, 2017 10:56 pm

I have A VW secondhand with poco Km and very fully equipped including said sunroof.
I don't even notice it's there.
I only open it to let hot air out when the inside is intolerable, it may be subjective but with it half open, still with the screen in place, A/C on full seems to cool the interior quite quickly.
SM agrees.

TorreDelAguila
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby TorreDelAguila » Sat Oct 21, 2017 8:09 am

Eventually they leak, go draughty, jam up, rattle . . .
Rarely used, I find, as they are the next best thing here to driving a greenhouse.
Also often reduce interior headroom on models where they are fitted.
Avoid, IMHO.
Chris

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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby BENIDORM » Sat Oct 21, 2017 8:41 am

Olive,
With a name like 'Olive' I can see the attraction for you wanting to drive around in a glass jar, however after a short time you would probably want to change your name to Prune .. :D
Personally I would suggest that you re-think your idea,in my opinion not a healthy option.

We drove down from Santander to Alicante in the 1980's in an MGB Roadster soft top, we arrived very ' well weathered' and quickly changed to a 'normal' car....
Have a Good Weekend... :wave:

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Trooperman
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby Trooperman » Sat Oct 21, 2017 9:11 am

If it's of any help in deciding, I have an (old-ish) Discovery with twin sun roofs (or perhaps that should be "rooves") and we hardly ever use them....just as well, because, as noted above and borne out by a specialist web forum, they are prone to leaking, having seized mechanisms and become a PITA!
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TorreDelAguila
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Re: Car sunroofs

Postby TorreDelAguila » Sat Oct 21, 2017 9:49 am

Citroen marketing UK decided at one point that all XMs brought into the UK would be equipped with opening sunroofs. :think:
The French (and others) knew better, and rarely went for them.
Years later, enthusiasts are happy to pay premium prices for these cars without sunroofs!
Chris


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