Sunroof option on M3
Discussion
At risk of some flaming, a quick search of used F80 M3's reveals only one car with a sunroof for sale. Whilst I admit the carbon roof looks incredible, I really value light in a cabin, even more so with the tendency for dark headlinings in modern cars. I spec'd one when we bought a new M135i and have never regretted it.
I'd be curious to hear from owners why you didn't spec a sunroof?
In my eyes you lose the carbon aesthetics, gain light in the cabin, at a cost of whatever the option is, and are able to use a roof box. Does that sum it up?
I'd be curious to hear from owners why you didn't spec a sunroof?
In my eyes you lose the carbon aesthetics, gain light in the cabin, at a cost of whatever the option is, and are able to use a roof box. Does that sum it up?
I agree it looks awesome and weighs less, but I'm amazed there are so few, nearly no, sunroofs spec'd if the used car market is anything to go by.
I am thinking of buying new and I would tick the sunroof box. Carbon roof or not, a sunroof is something a daily driver for me really needs to have for my personal comfort.
If I wanted a track car, then I'd be all for a carbon roof.
I am thinking of buying new and I would tick the sunroof box. Carbon roof or not, a sunroof is something a daily driver for me really needs to have for my personal comfort.
If I wanted a track car, then I'd be all for a carbon roof.
dmm1983 said:
At risk of some flaming, a quick search of used F80 M3's reveals only one car with a sunroof for sale. Whilst I admit the carbon roof looks incredible, I really value light in a cabin, even more so with the tendency for dark headlinings in modern cars. I spec'd one when we bought a new M135i and have never regretted it.
I'd be curious to hear from owners why you didn't spec a sunroof?
In my eyes you lose the carbon aesthetics, gain light in the cabin, at a cost of whatever the option is, and are able to use a roof box. Does that sum it up?
Do the back windows open at all on the new M3/4? I ask because when I moved from an ordinary E46 (where back windows open at an angle) to E92 335i, in which the back windows don't open at all, I was very glad I had a sunroof. I used the tilt all year round,for some real fresh air. Sun roof fully open, it was noisy but you are right about light coming in as mine was black interior, a favourite colour none the less. with my E46 M3 I don't miss sunroof at all, so I guess it's the back windows which was the bigger issue.I'd be curious to hear from owners why you didn't spec a sunroof?
In my eyes you lose the carbon aesthetics, gain light in the cabin, at a cost of whatever the option is, and are able to use a roof box. Does that sum it up?
as for resale, overall I don't disagree with the other responder, but the sunroof was a big selling point in mine as the guy who bought it had sold a convertible to fund the deal and his OH was none too happy, I actually sold my car in the car park of one of the main BMW Dealerships on a sunny day and I knew when I drew back the blind and showed how dark it was and thus how dark other cars would be, that I had made the sale
If your car is a daily, don't give a donald duck for convention and get what you want
I specified a sunroof on my F80 and am glad I did. I use the sunroof quite often for fresh air and to lighten up the cabin, which is nice. You've the added benefit that you can fit a roof rack or roof box if needed, which you can't do with the carbon roof.
The weight savings of the carbon roof, in my opinion, makes no difference in everyday driving - perhaps it might make a 10th of a second difference on a track, but I think it's more a visual enhancement rather than anything else. My car is Tanzanite Blue, so dark in colour and you really don't notice that it doesn't have the carbon roof.
The weight savings of the carbon roof, in my opinion, makes no difference in everyday driving - perhaps it might make a 10th of a second difference on a track, but I think it's more a visual enhancement rather than anything else. My car is Tanzanite Blue, so dark in colour and you really don't notice that it doesn't have the carbon roof.
Personally I'd always advocate buying what you want so if you fancy a sunroof - and I can understand why you do - I'd say go for it! However, if you want an idea of the likely effect on residuals why don't you get two PCP quotes from your dealer, one with and one without a sunroof? If the GFV's on the two quotes are similar it would suggest to me that the effect on residual value is unlikely to be significant but conversely if the car with the sunroof has a much lower GFV it would suggest that those who think they're a disaster for resale may have a point...
I remember seeing the sunroof as a no cost option when looking at the F80 M3 configurator. If I was ordering new I'd have a sunroof over a carbon roof. TBH I wouldn't buy a car without a sunroof, it's just one of those things I've got used to having on every car I've owned going right back to the eighties! Through the summer we have the sunroof open on most journeys.
See this is the interesting thing. Sunroofs split opinion as any option will, but the limited population of replies in here doesn't mirror the split of used cars with sunroofs which seems weird. Unless people with sunroofs love their cars so much they won't sell, or more likely people have bought into the aesthetics/weight saving that a carbon roof offers.
I believe scarcity can drive prices, and with so few on the market it seems odd to claim resale will take a huge hit as a result. I'd almost be willing to pay up for the right spec which would include a sunroof.
Seems I'm not missing something or going mad, so thanks to all for your replies.
I believe scarcity can drive prices, and with so few on the market it seems odd to claim resale will take a huge hit as a result. I'd almost be willing to pay up for the right spec which would include a sunroof.
Seems I'm not missing something or going mad, so thanks to all for your replies.
I think the carbon roof save you around 4-5kgs in weight!!!
4-5kg ffs.
Sunroofs are great - but you will get hurt when you come to sell an M3 as nearly everyone wants the 'Carbon Roof'
Sunroof and the associated gubbins probably adds another 15-20 kilos so around 20-25 kilos all up is the real difference.
Just take out 30 litres of fuel and you are the same weight as a M3 with carbon roof.
lol
4-5kg ffs.
Sunroofs are great - but you will get hurt when you come to sell an M3 as nearly everyone wants the 'Carbon Roof'
Sunroof and the associated gubbins probably adds another 15-20 kilos so around 20-25 kilos all up is the real difference.
Just take out 30 litres of fuel and you are the same weight as a M3 with carbon roof.
lol
Go with your gut. The residual difference in a real world transaction will be negligible. And if your buyer wants a sunroof and they are so "exclusive" it will command a premium.
Not a direct comparison by any means but the E90 wasn't available with a carbon roof and look at it's residuals today versus an E92/93.
Not a direct comparison by any means but the E90 wasn't available with a carbon roof and look at it's residuals today versus an E92/93.
Very marmite subject, but agree go for what you want. The roof rack option would be more of an issue to me however.
Light in the cabin? my cars has windows doesn't yours?
I see only negatives with a sun roof. Noisy drafty things that go moldy round the seals and are PIA to clean properly. If you ever do choose to open back the blind they always seem to have a great fresh bird s
t strewn across the glass, nice. Also as they are flat the water never runs off and they always dry with dirt marks all over them, or little pools of muck in the corners. (thus the green algae covered seals)
Why drive with the sun beating on your head and in your eyes from directly above making you squint? odd IMO.
If I've been unfortunate to have one for "free" then the blind has stayed religiously closed. My E63 AMG had one of the double window horror things for free, I opened it once at 40mph, my ears duly popped and the roaring sound drowned out conversation.. great feature.
Light in the cabin? my cars has windows doesn't yours?
I see only negatives with a sun roof. Noisy drafty things that go moldy round the seals and are PIA to clean properly. If you ever do choose to open back the blind they always seem to have a great fresh bird s
t strewn across the glass, nice. Also as they are flat the water never runs off and they always dry with dirt marks all over them, or little pools of muck in the corners. (thus the green algae covered seals)Why drive with the sun beating on your head and in your eyes from directly above making you squint? odd IMO.
If I've been unfortunate to have one for "free" then the blind has stayed religiously closed. My E63 AMG had one of the double window horror things for free, I opened it once at 40mph, my ears duly popped and the roaring sound drowned out conversation.. great feature.
Edited by mikeN54 on Tuesday 26th July 10:35
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