[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by MikeT

Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you have the right to your opinion. And we all have our own definitions of 'cheap' and 'classy' and 'sporty.'

I would point out, though, that half the Civics and Hyundais out there have sunroofs. Compare how rare they are on Ferraris and Porsches.

I say the same thing about dual exhausts, they are a dime a dozen...

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

Can't stand them...but I'm tall. Wait, I drive a vert...is that just a big Moonroof?

Infinite Moon Roof.

[eclipes]

I agree, i have one but never use it. Only thing i like is bringing in some light from above but gets hot on a summer day

[Nahlem]

Originally Posted by lisbethb

Thanks everyone for your replies and helping me make my decision. I guess I'm not getting a moonroof after all.

If your planing on styling your car in any way or if its a white one this would be one of my main options to do first glossy black roof. You hardly can tell that there is a moonroof but i am glad i have it sens the black roof attracts a lot of heat and the moonroof helps me a lot to ventilate it.

[LeeT73]

I've never had a vehicle WITH a moonroof before my 228i MSport. I always thought they were unnecessary. On this car however, I really like it. The biggest difference for me is just having more light in the cabin. When I close the moonroof cover, I'm reminded how dark it is inside without a moonroof.

I also think they add another element to the look of the vehicle.

[Kiwi]

Why does America have funny names like moonroof. Who opens the roof at night it's a sunroof.

[LeeT73]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

Why does America have funny names like moonroof. Who opens the roof at night it's a sunroof.

I googled it for you, as I wasn't exactly sure the difference:

"A sunroof is an operable metal panel in a car roof that slides back to let in light and air. A moonroof is a similar panel, but its panel is made of glass and can let light in even when closed. The term "moonroof" was coined by Ford in the 70s but is now used generically to describe glass-panel inbuilt electric sunroofs in vehicles by all manufacturers."

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by LeeT73

I googled it for you, as I wasn't exactly sure the difference:

"A sunroof is an operable metal panel in a car roof that slides back to let in light and air. A moonroof is a similar panel, but its panel is made of glass and can let light in even when closed. The term "moonroof" was coined by Ford in the 70s but is now used generically to describe glass-panel inbuilt electric sunroofs in vehicles by all manufacturers."

Sunroofs, by historical definition, are opaque. The first car company to offer a sunroof as a standard option was the Nash Motor Company as an option on some of its 1937 models.[1] Today, most factory sliding sunroof options feature a glass panel and are sometimes marketed as moonroofs, a term introduced in 1973 by John Atkinson, a marketing manager at Ford for the Lincoln Continental Mark IV. For the first year, Ford sent out its Mark IVs to American Sunroof Company for offline installation.

[SteveInfante]

Just don't open it over 100mph. Did that the other day and it's a little frightening.

[Sportstick]

http://ask.cars.com/2008/06/sunroof-and-moo.html

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

http://ask.cars.com/2008/06/sunroof-and-moo.html

That's a USA view not the rest of the world view. Sunroof is the correct word just show me any where else in the world the word moonroof is used.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

That's a USA view not the rest of the world view. Sunroof is the correct word just show me any where else in the world the word moonroof is used.

Well, we are sort of limited to the English-speaking countries, but here's a thread with a post from London in the United Kingdom (not London, Ontario!), so it's at least trans-Atlantic for some.

http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10993

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Well, we are sort of limited to the English-speaking countries, but here's a thread with a post from London in the United Kingdom (not London, Ontario!), so it's at least trans-Atlantic for some.

http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=10993

It's American built and Americana terminology so I wouldn't say it's a great example. It was built in the years of ugly really ugly.

I suppose lying in bed at night with it's moonroof open would work.

Canada is just another name for America.

Try Wikipedia it's more international.

Anyway the best part and safest part of the world is down under where sunroofs exist and heaps of sun to enjoy all year round.

Sorry about hijacking this thread.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by SteveInfante

Just don't open it over 100mph. Did that the other day and it's a little frightening.

I can't recommend mooning at over 100 MPH either.

[Db750]

For me it goes like this:

Carbon Fiber roof>moon roof>no moon roof

I will say not having the moon roof does add some good head room, but the 2 series has a pretty bulbous roof. I am 6'3" and have plenty of headroom. I think you would have to be at least 6'6" to need the extra space.

[Supernaut]

Originally Posted by Db750

For me it goes like this:

Carbon Fiber roof>moon roof>no moon roof

I will say not having the moon roof does add some good head room, but the 2 series has a pretty bulbous roof. I am 6'3" and have plenty of headroom. I think you would have to be at least 6'6" to need the extra space.

6'1" plus a helmet pushed me against the moonroof opening, so I deleted it.

[Piper666]

I have the sunroof on mine - without it it would be a very dark cabin.

It also allows for fresh air without the windows open and prevents me from getting a black eye from the missus when 'I've' messed her hair up.

[zentanker]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

Who opens the roof at night it's a sunroof.

Me. In fact, I opened mine at night far more than in the day to enjoy the cool night air. I go to great lengths to keep the damn sun out of my face while I'm driving (tint, sunglasses, etc) so opening a gaping hole in the roof would be pretty silly to me.


That being said, my new 228i is coming without a hole in the roof. The only thing I'll miss occasionally is the ability to ventilate while parked, but since about 97% of my parking will be inside the garage at work or at home, it doesn't really matter and definitely not something I'd pay extra for.

[Hemisedan]

Originally Posted by zentanker

That being said, my new 228i is coming without a hole in the roof. The only thing I'll miss occasionally is the ability to ventilate while parked, but since about 97% of my parking will be inside the garage at work or at home, it doesn't really matter and definitely not something I'd pay extra for.

Pretty much my thoughts too. The night, or letting the heat out of the car when its been parked is about the only advantage I can see. I've had sunroofs before, enjoyed them to a degree, but about the only real reason for a sunroof to me is lighting up the interior.

[GFK007]

Opening the sun roof on a summer night/morning is a nice perk IMO.

Granted I don't get any use out of it from November-April.

[Ramos]

Great responses so far, I'll add the only thing missing:

Performance wise, the moonroof adds about 50 lbs, more important than the weight itself, is the placement of said weight. It's added at the worst possible location at the highest point of the car meaning that in addition to the straight line performance loss caused by the added weight (negligible on a street car) you are also raising the center of gravity which affects handling. That is a greater performance loss than the weight itself.

As for the helmet issue, the threshold seems to be 6 feet. If you are shorter than that, you will have no problem with the moonroof while wearing a helmet, any taller and it becomes an issue.

Hope this helps

[rich8566]

I hate the moonroof. I'm not tall and there's not really enough helmet room for track days. I always keep it closed with the shade covering it. I would have done the moonroof delete but that was not available on Feb 2014 builds.