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Adding a sunroof? S70 2000

Wow, I feel like I'm asking a lot of questions!

I've found a great T5, and they're willing to give me an unbelievable deal on it because it doesn't have a sunroof. It's well-equipped, but no sunroof. (go figure...)

Any thoughts on adding one and using the stock sunroof switch? I'd like for it to look and act like a factory one. Anybody done this? What kind of money? If I can tell the dealership that it's going to cost me $xxx, maybe they'll discount me $xxx off of the deal they're giving me. It'll be difficult for me to sell it without a sunroof, I'd guess.

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

andrew








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    Adding a sunroof? S70 2000

    There are several companies that make aftermarket sunroofs for vehicles. ASC and a few others that I dont recall. Volvo does not make its own sunroof panels they are produced by another company that sells Volvo the panel kit. I believe Webasto produces the Volvo panels.

    While dealers who would love to sell you an entirely new car will say its a "saftey issue" (which neither here not there since they themselves are not crash test engineers AKA a lie to get you to buy a new car) one has to consider this because the install is not completed at the factory. With a factory installed roof you get the same installation method that was used in the crash testing of the vehicle. Its hard to predict how a non factory roof would react in similar conditions because of the different installation methods. While you can buy a Webasto panel you won't be getting the same panel that they use on an OEM car because of the different installation methods involved with aftermarket vs OEM roofs.

    In the factory the vehicle's roof is prepared with a molded lip that the roof panel slides up into to form the seal. With an after market panel this lip is not present and not possible to reproduce. Some roofs offer a plastic lip while others use rubber seals to provide sealing. My S70 has an OEM sunroof and it appears that they provide a molded lip but the water trap is actually plastic on the bottom (kinda cheap considering my Honda Accord had a full metal water trap). In the corners of most sunroof trays are holes that lead to tubes to drain any leakage from the roof. Most sunroof leaks are because of the blockage of these tubes. You can clean them out with compressed air if they become blocked in most cases.

    On the average an aftermarket sunroof will set you back from $1700 to $2500. There are a LOT of variances depending on who puts in the sunroof. If you really want to put in the sunroof see if you can examine examples of the shop's work to determine if their workmanship is up to par.

    Overall Your going to have enough troubles with the OEM components of the car to begin with. I would avoid putting a roof into the vehicle and perhaps look at another car all together. The S70 is now on the consumer reports "worst picks" list.








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    Re: Adding a sunroof? S70 2000

    I would leave it as is. The sunroof is fairly complicated and an

    entire new internal head liner is needed. I think the headliner

    alone is quite expensive.

    I rarely use my sunroof and would gladly give it up for the extra

    headroom, reduced weight and simplier mechanics.








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      Re: Adding a sunroof? S70 2000

      Think I'll probably find one with a sunroof, then! Sounds like too expensive of an endeavor. I don't use mine on my current vehicle that much, but it's a nice luxury to have.

      Thanks for the help guys!

      Andrew








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        Re: Adding a sunroof? S70 2000

        Not only that but it is a safety issue. Adding a sunroof, after the fact, will compromise the structural integrity of your car as they will have to cut a critical crossmember which will take away from the integrity of the car.

        Cars that are built with a sunroof, from the factory, have that crossmember constructed in a different manner so the two can coexist. So, I would stay away from putting in a sunroof, plus all the other reasons that the others have referred to.

        Yannis








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      Ditto S70 2000

      2" more headroom. Your roof will never leak. I'd consider it a "plus" not a "minus". I only have a sunroof on my '98 T5 because they were all shipped that way in '98.

      I've spent the last 2 weeks dealing with sunroof problems (not a Volvo). Seems a microswitch failed, causing the motor cable to shred 2 nylon gears. The nylon gears were back ordered. When I shreded the SECOND set of gears, I found out about the microswitch. Also back- ordered. Actually, dealer gave me the wrong microswich first. Then had to order it. I just got the project buttoned back up this evening, and I still don't know if it leaks.

      The Groundhog's First Law of Automotive Excellence:

      "If you don't have a sunroof, it will never leak."








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        Re: Ditto S70 2000

        All sunroofs will leak at one time or another. That's why factory installed units have gutters that lead to drain tubes running through the roof pillars. Volvo doesn't even pretend to offer a waterproof seal with it's "felt" like strip around the glass. It's more of a wind barrier (like the weather stripping around some doors) than a water barrier.

        Koz.







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