Aftermarket sunroofs

[smokie]

With the fine weather we've been having lately I wish I had a sunroof on my car.

Can anyone tell me roughly how much it would cost to get one fitted? A simple tilt sunroof would suffice.

[WhipLash]

I once had a sunroof fitted to a new Peugeot 106. I paid the extra money when I purchased the car, and the garage sub-contracted the work out. It was a manual tilt only sunroof, and came with a roller sunvisor to shade from the sun. It cost me an extra £250 all in. I suppose it all depends on how complicated a sunroof you want, and where you’re going to get it done. If you’re in Dublin expect to pay a lot more as the labour rate is higher. Whatever you do, make sure you go to a reputable dealer within your area. Maybe inquire from your nearest main dealer as to the manufacturers offerings, and then go through the Golden Pages and compare quotes from the specialists. That’s the best way, IMO. Further to that, depending on how long you intend on keeping the car, I’d also put a big emphasis on the guarantee that comes with the work - you don’t want to be getting into the car in a years time to find you’re sitting on a wet seat. Believe me there’s nothing more annoying than having a leaky sunroof! http://www.eforecourt.com/UBB/disgust.gif

[Astraman]

That's what you need to be carefull of.
Numerous people have gotten sunroof's fitted and they've started leaking.

[Joe]

Aftermarket sunroofs are not to be recommended in my opinion - especially if it is a relatively new car. For one thing thry tend to look cheap n'cheerful and most importantly, it will probably leak.

Do you really want someone with a large tinopener attacking your car? :D

[Phil]

I have to agree with the rest. Sunroofs put into the car as an after thought, are never a good idea. I have heard of too many stories of water leaking in after a couple of months or during a very heavy rain storm.

With the climate that we have over here you are really playing with fire ( or rain in this case ).

IMHO is to stay well clear of non factory fitted sunroofs.

[BeCos]

The sunroof in one of my colleagues Alfa Romeo is IDENTICAL to the factory rood in my car, the switch, sunblind and framework is the same.Only difference is the scripting on the glass.
He paid about IR£800 last year and its fully electric tilt/slide etc. Car manufacturers dont manufacture sunroofs they get the likes of Tudor Webasto Everflex and Hollandia to do it, so the mechanics of it are safe.It just depends on who does it and how much you pay.Pop-up roofs are a waste of glass and spoil cars completely, if your going to do it do it right!!

[smokie]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BeCos:
Pop-up roofs are a waste of glass and spoil cars completely, if your going to do it do it right!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'd agree with you if the car was nearly new but since the car is 6 years old I'm not prepared to spend £800 on it as that would be a significant percentage of the value of the car.

I was thinking more in terms of £100-£200 but I haven't shopped around at all yet.

I think that the pop-up type would be ok for my needs as they seem to allow the hot air to escape through the roof without the level of noise you get from having the windows open.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Joe:
Aftermarket sunroofs are not to be recommended in my opinion - especially if it is a relatively new car. For one thing thry tend to look cheap n'cheerful and most importantly, it will probably leak.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, its not a relatively new car so cheap and cheerful is fine. On the other hand leaking is not.

Are you sure there are problems with aftermarket sunroofs leaking? Have you heard stories from people who've had it done and regretted it or are you just advising me to be careful?

My father had one done before and we had no problems with it except for a little condensation at times. I haven't heard any horror stories.

[Joe]

Smokie,
My feelings on aftermarket sunroofs are more of a personal taste really. I suppose if you got a real professional to do it properly, you won't have problems. I have had experience of 2 cars with dodgy sunroofs (not mine) and a wet seat or howling draft ain't nice in January :)
An uncle of mine bought a very nice Skoda Octavia recently and stupidly IMO let the dealer cut the roof open and install a rather cheap looking pop-up job.
But if your car is that bit older, go ahead!

[BeCos]

Smokie,
I'd have to agree that £800 is too much for anything but a relatively new car. I think before sunroofs became so popular, there were alot of cowboys fitting them and they leaked.A reputable company i.e Autoglass should present any problems,I've used them before ( when I was in the trade) without any comeback.