Sunroofs - What's Your Experience?

[blacksambo]

Remember, those window problems could have been avoided with twice yearly applications of silicone to the channels. That's all.

[Gussie2000]

Leaking sunroof is all happening depending on how the installer did the job.
You can purchase the best/expensive kit out there,but if the installer don't know his job water & debries will get into the cabin any ways.

I looking foward to add a nice sun roof soon.

[BeeVenom]

I've had the Webasto power unit in my '01 for 6 years. Never a leak, works perfectly and still shuts automatically after you turn the VX off. Tilts up at the rear too if you like that. I do, especially in the rain. Like i said, no problems yet and if i did, the Webasto company in right in my town in Fenton, MI. I love it! Scott
HEY RIFF RAFF, You're right, they're the best!

[Riff Raff]

BeeVenom--- Yup, they are definately the best for sure!!! For those considering getting an electric Sunroof/Moonroof, the Webasto brand is the only way to go. Once you experience having a VX with an electric Sunroof/Moonroof, you'll wonder how the hell you ever lived without it!!!

Don't forget: Stay away from the cheapo "Pop-Top"!!!

[Gussie2000]

Yesterday i drove by a sunroof shop.
I asked questions about options;The installer,after looking at the horse suggested me the spoiler sunroof style.
He told me that the slide in style running below the roof takes more head room then the spoiler style,plus the spoiler style blends with the VX's very sporty design
During the time talking with guy i had many VX moments with a good bunch of people surrunding my toy asking ??? about it.
Cost for the installation $ 1400

[circmand]

Remember, those window problems could have been avoided with twice yearly applications of silicone to the channels. That's all.

Those of us who are original owners did not have the advanced notice of the issue to apply the silicon.

Depends on the installer, yeah but you find out how good they were months or years after install

I decided against it once I found out the headliner needs replaced. I only go with mods that do not need additional work to look original

[tom4bren]

VT,

I've put 100K on an Eclipse with that kind of sunroof. I've never had any problems with anything hitting the glass.

From an Engineering perspective - you're right. It is something that I'd be concerned about. In reality, it works great.

Tom

[Gussie2000]

VT_maverick

I shared with the installer that same concern though.
He say that the sliding sunroof are the standard style,but is more for luxury cars then sport cars which in this case the VX falls in.
He explain me that spoiler style was designed precisely because sports cars ussually lacks lots of head room such as the honda prelude,mistsubishi eclipse or toyota celica.
I forgot to mention that the guy took a pic of the VX,dowloaded into the shop's computer which comes with a autocad or photoshop aplication & actually showed me how the VX looks with the spoiler & the sliding sunroof & guys i got to admit that the spoiler looks way more OEM then the sliding style on the VX.
He also suggested me to replace the head liner & the dash pillars in black color to match the interior.
I noticed that this guy is very passioned about his job,very detailled.
Whilst there the guy was over the two workers on every detail.
The only cons so far is the fact that the roof racks can get in the sun roof's way,but got to check the clearance.

[Riff Raff]

GUSSIE 2000--- I understand the installer guy is highly passionate about his work (as all good business owner's should be); however, I would highly recommend visiting a few more Pro-Sunroof shops for second opinions. Go to the official Webasto brand website and see who is an authorized Webasto dealer/installer in your area.

Hmmm, I've never seen any modified VX (including any on this forum) with the "slide-out/exposed" style sunroof, and I don't think it's a good idea. With the outer glass continuely exposed, it is a prime target for flying rocks from semi-trucks. Yes, you're probably right that the existing roof rails would also interfere in some manner. As far as "the look", I think it would appear kinda' funky and cheap looking and screams non-factory(IMHO).

From an installer point of view, the "slide-out/exposed" style sunroof is a lot easier and less complicated installation than an interior-slider version. Thereby, more profitability with less involved labor (perhaps that's the real reason why the shop owner was recommending that particular version-- more money, less work; "ka-ching sucka!!!"). In addition, the shop-owner probably recommended Black headliner color replacement because he had a bunch of it leftover in his stock-room (not because it matched the original seats, that's B.S.). If the headliner needs to be replaced, then the color should be matched as close to OEM factory as possible.

Most cars from the factory that have the exterior "slide-out/exposed" version also have a rear sloping/curved roof (fast-back style) which prevents an interior sleeve casing, like the Mitsubishi Eclipse. Conversly, most cars/trucks from the factory that have an extended flat roof line will have a hidden interior slider sleeve for the roof panel (Lincoln, Cadillac, Denali, BMW, Hummer, etc). Since the VX falls into the extended flat roof design catagory; I'd prefer an OEM factory stealth-looking interior-slider, than an odd aftermarket-looking "slide-out/exposed" exterior slider.

With the Webasto interior-slider within the headliner, it looks totally OEM factory and has a built-in pull-out sunshade for blinding Sun (like on an aircraft). I'm very tall, and the closed glass portion over the driver/front-passenger cockpit area does not decrease any headroom whatsoever. Where the glass portion slides into the headliner area over the rear seat; yes, some very minor headroom is lost-- but; who cares, since the back seat is removed.

At an investment of $1,200--$1,400 for a VX Sunroof/Moonroof modification, I'd want it done right with the most stealth/OEM factory looking installation that's available (not what's easier or more profitable for the installer). That my friend is the electric Webasto Interior-Slider Moonroof within the interior headliner!!!!!!!! Get the Best; Forget the Rest!!!

[Gussie2000]

GUSSIE 2000--- I understand the installer guy is highly passionate about his work (as all good business owner's should be); however, I would highly recommend visiting a few more Pro-Sunroof shops for second opinions. Go to the official Webasto brand website and see who is an authorized Webasto dealer/installer in your area.

Hmmm, I've never seen any modified VX (including any on this forum) with the "slide-out/exposed" style sunroof, and I don't think it's a good idea. With the outer glass continuely exposed, it is a prime target for flying rocks from semi-trucks. Yes, you're probably right that the existing roof rails would also interfere in some manner. As far as "the look", I think it would appear kinda' funky and cheap looking and screams non-factory(IMHO).

From an installer point of view, the "slide-out/exposed" style sunroof is a lot easier and less complicated installation than an interior-slider version. Thereby, more profitability with less involved labor (perhaps that's the real reason why the shop owner was recommending that particular version-- more money, less work; "ka-ching sucka!!!"). In addition, the shop-owner probably recommended Black headliner color replacement because he had a bunch of it leftover in his stock-room (not because it matched the original seats, that's B.S.). If the headliner needs to be replaced, then the color should be matched as close to OEM factory as possible.

Most cars from the factory that have the exterior "slide-out/exposed" version also have a rear sloping/curved roof (fast-back style) which prevents an interior sleeve casing, like the Mitsubishi Eclipse. Conversly, most cars/trucks from the factory that have an extended flat roof line will have a hidden interior slider sleeve for the roof panel (Lincoln, Cadillac, Denali, BMW, Hummer, etc). Since the VX falls into the extended flat roof design catagory; I'd prefer an OEM factory stealth-looking interior-slider, than an odd aftermarket-looking "slide-out/exposed" exterior slider.

With the Webasto interior-slider within the headliner, it looks totally OEM factory and has a built-in pull-out sunshade for blinding Sun (like on an aircraft). I'm very tall, and the closed glass portion over the driver/front-passenger cockpit area does not decrease any headroom whatsoever. Where the glass portion slides into the headliner area over the rear seat; yes, some very minor headroom is lost-- but; who cares, since the back seat is removed.

At an investment of $1,200--$1,400 for a VX Sunroof/Moonroof modification, I'd want it done right with the most stealth/OEM factory looking installation that's available (not what's easier or more profitable for the installer). That my friend is the electric Webasto Interior-Slider Moonroof within the interior headliner!!!!!!!! Get the Best; Forget the Rest!!!

You see none of us never did the spoiler sunroof so far on the VX so the idea freaks the .....t outter any one by just thinking about it.

About the head liner color i think is a nice mod though (was just a suggestion) for me to consider about. Again,the color is black,not red
He also show me the material to have the head liner mod done & isn't any left overs.
The $ 1400 cost for the installation is based on the best spoiler model he got in his shop ( 322 hollandia series ) with the advanced control options & comes with a 5 years/50.000 miles warranty but i can go for the cheapest one for just $ 900.
The shop is a webasto autorized dealer which registered in the BBB files.
However all this is not a deffinitive decision,yet still i got to carry the roof racks for measurements to verify the clearance for the spoiler once is open.

It's obvious that the shop wouldn't suggest the spoiler style if wasn't a good idea because they know they can be a in a lot of hell of trouble.

The way the shop is designed the customer can look at all the installation process from the beginning to the end of it thru big glasses such as the car wash shops whilst you wait watching ESPN

The shop can perform 4 installations at one time & they proudly display a good bunch of certifications & rewards for best customer service relations.


I don't think the spoiler style looks cheap,remember is a spoiler designed for sports cars,it would so cheapo on a BMW or mercedes benz AMG series,but on a non-luxury car such as the VX it can't look cheap at all,specially the 322 series.

But once of us take the 1rst step doing this mod others will find it good enough to follow up.