[harshaguduru]

OP
What are your reasons for sunroof ?

Looks or practical?

Some one i know did it because they smoke in the car and smoking with window open was a problem becAuse ash kept flying into the car.

Post sunroof problems were rusting at edges whistling noise at speeds.
Leakage was never an issue though.
But purpose was served so he is happy.

Regards,
Harsha

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by Pancham

How much time does it to get the whole thing done ?

Anywhere from 3 - 5 hours. In my case it took about 4 hours.

[Nimish anthony]

I have been searching for a webasto dealer and to my knowledge they have closed their operations in South to date. Is there any way to locate the webasto dealer so i can get my car done.

[JayD]

Originally Posted by Nimish anthony

I have been searching for a webasto dealer and to my knowledge they have closed their operations in South to date. Is there any way to locate the webasto dealer so i can get my car done.

The cochin dealer closed down a while back. Bangalore is closed too?

[DeepakMenon]

Does anyone of you have a pic of hows the after market sunroof looks from inside the car; what i am looking at is the fit finish in around the headliner

I have being toying with this idea for my W124

[devsoftech]

The Install in SX4


The contours




Interior view - Sunroof does not blend with roof liner


Popout (not slid open) - Interior view


Popout (not slid open) - Exterior view


Popout (not slid open) - Exterior view (Rear view)


Full retraction - (Popout) - Exterior view


Full retraction - (Popout) - Interior view - Just can popout head




Perspective in roof

[Pancham]

Originally Posted by devsoftech

The Install

Thanks for the pics. Very nice indeed. Can you share the cost?

[devsoftech]

Originally Posted by Pancham

Thanks for the pics. Very nice indeed. Can you share the cost?

42000 inclusive of taxes and installation 2 years back. It was an approved MGA accessory. Fitting was done by webasto engineers at Pratham motors (MASS). I also lost the centre lamp due to this install.

[mempheS.D]

Pancham,

Take my frank opinion - Don't go for it! More importantly, you're dealing with a German aka VW. That doubles your risk. Unless VW agrees to install it for you as an authorized accessory.

My current car is my first "new" car. A few lessons that I learnt which I overlooked and would have certainly loved in my car. But, for sure, all of this will be on my list during my next purchase:

1. an armrest
2. a sunroof/moonroof (never understood the difference)
3. disc brakes on all 4 wheels
4. proper rear ac vents (not the feet coolers like in the fabia)

So, hold off on this upgrade that you plan for you "MIGHT" lose peace of mind forever and start hating a roof so much so that the thought of having it on your next car would steer you away from buying one with a factory-installed sunroof!

[Pancham]

Originally Posted by mempheS.D

Pancham,

Take my frank opinion - Don't go for it! More importantly, you're dealing with a German aka VW. That doubles your risk. Unless VW agrees to install it for you as an authorized accessory.

My current car is my first "new" car. A few lessons that I learnt which I overlooked and would have certainly loved in my car. But, for sure, all of this will be on my list during my next purchase:

1. an armrest
2. a sunroof/moonroof (never understood the difference)
3. disc brakes on all 4 wheels
4. proper rear ac vents (not the feet coolers like in the fabia)

So, hold off on this upgrade that you plan for you "MIGHT" lose peace of mind forever and start hating a roof so much so that the thought of having it on your next car would steer you away from buying one with a factory-installed sunroof!

I have an i20. Nope I am not going for it although I love sunroofs. I regret not getting the asta option model. Heck the next car in my radar is a cruze which thankfully has a sunroof. But still that will be a few years down the line.

[T1000]

Originally Posted by nikesh

Hello friends,


Please advice suitably at the earliest as I want to either do it now or, never do it with this car anytime in future

Nilesh,
Ill share my experience and pros & cons of a sunroof.
i have installed a manual webasto manual sunroof in my zen, im using it for 3 yrs.

If installed properly and maintained properly, there are not many headaches.
when i talk about installation, the only thing to note is the workmanship.
it all depends on the guy who cuts the roof, even if a millimeter error is made in cutting, you are going to have water leakage problem.

Pros:
1. The experience is just great, driving in bandra worli sealink, or marine drive or in the woods or in lonavala in the rains, with sunroof open and standing up through the roof is priceless...
2. Buying a sunroof is an emotional call, if you use your head you will never buy it. so go for it if the "experience" is important to you.
3. You can see the moon and the stars while driving :-)

cons:
1. Structural rigidity is compromised, im not sure to what extent.
2. Water leakage problem if the rubber seal is not cleaned regularly, i do it every 6 months, u just have to open the roof and clean the seal with wet cloth.
3. Slight decrease in A/C cooling while driving in hot sun

Now coming to the problems you may face because of carelessness.its nothing to do with sunroof or the mechanics.

1. In one trip, i spoiled my camera, I left my 30k sony camera in the front seat and by mistake i left the roof open, it started raining in an hours time.
2. In another trip, My friends were sitting on the roof, you are not supposed to sit, because of the weight the roof bend slightly at the corners, and water seeped in through the corners. i had water leaking problem and the car was flooding till it was fixed.
(the silver lining here is, you don't have to remove the carpet to dry, the heat from the engine dries the wet carpet floor, you just have to drive for 3-4 hrs :-), but the car may stink if it happens regularly)

I don't see any security issues, your front door windows are more vulnerable than a sunroof

In spite of all the issues, i don't regret installing the sunroof, i enjoy it!

[Nimish anthony]

Well the issue is webasto is not operating in India. Could someone post the details of the webasto dealer so it would be useful to all those who use the forum.

[nikesh]

Thanks everyone for so much of valuable and clearly articulated inputs. The reason for sunroof was my kid's pursuation but finally I have decided not now to go for it at the moment. Probably when the car goes a bit older(its just 36k and 22 months) will then think over it again. Personally, I have been also advised the same by one of my known senior official with VW. I am a driving enthusiast and drive long distances for enjoyment so for me I dont want to go for anything which gets me into some issues because of dust or, unclean surfaces etc.. I dont want to take a unecessary risk for something which is just a fun accessory than a utility.

I did lot of calling and enquiring and posting name of webasto dealer in Pune for any sunroof fitting and posting below the contact I procured for installation -
Name of the person - Niyakar
Lullanagar(shop between camp and NIBM/Kondhwa road), Pune
Mobile number - 9370117011
Timings : 10.30 - 8.30 anyday except Sunday

I have been also thinking to upgrade my stock lights with the xenon/HD as posted by some Team-Bhp members which will really help in my long distance night driving but again the recommendations from service advisors and people using it has been mixed. Not sure why patents like VW have so much inconfidence in their electrical wiring support. Anyways, quite pissed off by not able to make any external upgrades though quite happy happy with the carfor what I bought!

Regards,
Nikesh

Originally Posted by vikram_d

I don't have any proper pictures of the sunroof, will need to click some. But in the photo below you can see the outline of the sunroof.

Attachment 981137
Photo Courtesy: Rudra Sen

The model is Hollandia 300 and it costed me 27k 6 years back. It was fitted at the Maruti dealer's place on the day of delivery by the Webasto guys.

Your car looks Damn beautiful dude...

OT: werent police caught you for those extra Hella's?

[vikram_d]

Originally Posted by gemi_kk

Your car looks Damn beautiful dude...

OT: werent police caught you for those extra Hella's?

- Thanks & No, the cops never stopped me for those Hella's as I never used them in the city. They were only for highway use.