[jaeggernaut]

I think I understand the pros and cons. But will they (especially the cons) going to affect the car in any realistic/noticable way in the real world?

(My 'real world' has very few race tracks in it,.. or more accurately, it has very few friends willing to go to the track with me)

[Spa2k]

If you enjoy the open-air feeling and you’re not searching for the last tenth of a second on the track, get the moonroof to enhance the overall enjoyment of your car. My LCI was the first one in the country with a moonroof and it has operated flawlessly. In fact, I waited for the LCI so I could get the moonroof.

If a sunroof or moonroof was available, I’ve had it on every one of my cars. When the temperature is above freezing, it’s open. And I’ve never had a problem with opening, closing, rattles or leaks on any of them.

[fullstack]

I like my dailies to have moonroofs and my toys to have none.

[Poochie]

I know moon-roofs adds some weight because of the glass, motor, and slight reinforcements around the opening but doesn't it also deduct for the steel skin cut-out for the glass? Doesn't that offset some of the added weight, however small..

All things considered, does it really add enough weight to detriment the highway handling in any noticeable manner?

[fullstack]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I know moon-roofs adds some weight because of the glass, motor, and slight reinforcements around the opening but doesn't it also deduct for the steel skin cut-out for the glass? Doesn't that offset some of the added weight, however small..

All things considered, does it really add enough weight to detriment the highway handling in any noticeable manner?

I never tried driving the exact same car with and without a moonroof so i don't know first hand but i read that it adds about 40-70 pounds and it's at the top where the weight will have the most leverage to induce body roll.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by Poochie

I know moon-roofs adds some weight because of the glass, motor, and slight reinforcements around the opening but doesn't it also deduct for the steel skin cut-out for the glass? Doesn't that offset some of the added weight, however small..

All things considered, does it really add enough weight to detriment the highway handling in any noticeable manner?

The piece of glass probably weighs more than the thin steel it replaces.

I highly doubt anyone could tell the difference in a double-blind test. Except if the sunroof creaked .

[chris719]

Originally Posted by 3rdPedalAddict

I never tried driving the exact same car with and without a moonroof so i don't know first hand but i read that it adds about 40-70 pounds and it's at the top where the weight will have the most leverage to induce body roll.

It is at the top of the car but it's still a small amount. Body roll is going to be dominated by the suspension setup. Strap 70 lbs to the top of a GT3 RS and it'll still corner flat.

For an extreme example, just think about the roof weight and additional weight of an F83 convertible. You don't hear a lot of complaints out of the owners. I wouldn't get one personally but I doubt it's highly compromised for street use.

[nd2002]

Fitting comfortably with a helmet is probably more important than any weight comparisons. If you like sunroofs, and are able of fit with a helmet on, go for it.

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by 3rdPedalAddict

I never tried driving the exact same car with and without a moonroof so i don't know first hand but i read that it adds about 40-70 pounds and it's at the top where the weight will have the most leverage to induce body roll.

Someone should do the math, factoring the steel cut-out, those are one question I could never get a satisfactory answer on..

I never use to believe the theory that using lighter wheels would make much of a noticeable difference until I went from regular alloy to forged, which reduced each wheel around 4 pounds per side, at the right places.. Wow, what a revelation; I was in utter shock when I pulled away from the tire shop, by how much lighter the car actually felt.

So that made me a believer that weight, at the wrong places, does have an some affect on dynamics of any such vehicle.. The question is it enough for one to notice.

[Saphirschwarz]

IF you could hear the exhaust a bit more that would be the only reason i'd buy a moonroof, but i've been told it doesn't make such a difference.... so no !

[Pilot-Z]

Get it.

[MR.]

Nope, no sunroof... If you want to have a decent sunroof get a M240i convertible or 2nd hand M4 convertible.

MR

[Saphirschwarz]

Originally Posted by MR.

Nope, no sunroof... If you want to have a decent sunroof get a M240i convertible or 2nd hand M4 convertible.

MR

it would be nice to have a Targa-like system or like the new Mx-2

[hellrotm]

- 45lbs at the worst possible place on the car.
- Raises center of gravity.
- Decreased headroom.
- Something else to break on car and/or start making noise.


There is a reason slicktop E46 M3’s are most valuable.

[Who?]

if you're not a serious track rat, i wouldn't bother, i use my sunroof 3 out of 5 times I drive and i wouldn't have it any other way.

If the car loses its sporty nature because of a sunroof, it wasn't really sporty to begin with. i wouldn't buy into the forums hype into trying to lose every gram of weight when most of us aren't tuned enough as drivers to really feel the difference.

[akkando]

I would get the sun roof and then have the CF roof installed before delivery.

[qnet]

You should get it, if you really want it. I really like a moonroof and am glad there is an option to have one now.

I bet a lot of people who must have a CF roof will never go to the track, and just like the idea of having one, and the way it looks. I don't find anything wrong with that either. It's your money, get what you want and enjoy the car.

[Duck Sauce]

I have had sunroofs/moonroofs on all of my vehicles. I use it maybe....maybe 10% of the time. I'm order my M2C with no sunroof. I'm kinda like the "pure" feeling of the car.

[HBird]

No sunroof here.

My Golf R didn't have one and my S3 does now. I use the sunroof everyday (leaving it in the tilted vent position), but it rattles even after dealer visits. I'm looking at the M2 because you can order it without one.

[Fear-Mongrel]

I've said it before, I'll be saying it again when I write up a mini-review on our new M2, and I'll say it here: you can't let this forum pick your shoes for you. Lots of good responses, but it's human nature that people will project their own lifestyle or car history onto you.

It would be one thing if there were a recall in place, or a documented issue specifically with BMW M2 sunroof reliability, as that info would be the most relevant to the question. But that's not the case, so it comes down to how you're going to enjoy the car. You've already said it won't be a track car. So really, what do you care if it adds 45lbs, even at the roof? The average Canadian man weighs 4x that, the average Canadian woman 3x that. Are you going to drive alone the rest of your life?

If you want a sunroof and aren't so tall that the addition of one makes the available space uncomfortable, get one.

If you really don't want one, and were only asking to see if you'd be missing out, go with your instinct and pass.

If you're asking if an M2 with a sunroof still claws the road like a scared cat...yes it does.

[boostm3]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Someone should do the math, factoring the steel cut-out, those are one question I could never get a satisfactory answer on..

I never use to believe the theory that using lighter wheels would make much of a noticeable difference until I went from regular alloy to forge, which reduced each wheel around 4 pounds per side, at right places.. Wow, what a revelation; I was in utter shock when I pulled away from the tire shop, by how much lighter the car actually felt.

So that made me a believer that weight, at the wrong places, does have an some affect on dynamics of any such vehicle.. The question is it enough for one to notice.

Unsprung weight! Very noticeable.

[Cavpilot2k]

I plan on getting one, because my M2C will be a DD, not a track car. I may track it occasionally, but 95% of its driving will be highway, around town, and canyon carving.