Looking at options and one car I'm interested in has a sunroof. It looks like it will make a big difference to the feel of the car inside but I'm wondering how useable it is in every day driving? I havent found one to test drive with a pan roof so dont really know how it operates etc either and havent found any useful info online.

 

Does it create a lot of wind noise or buffeting when its open? Can it be opened just a small amount like a typical retracting roof? Does it interfere with anything on the roof bars eg cycle carriers?

 

I've had convertibles for years and love the roof down all the time, so dont mind a bit of 'wind in the hair' but dont want a whistling annoying sunroof that just never gets opened. 

 

Appreciate peoples experiences.

I swapped a Saab convertible for the Superb, (SWMBO kept her Focus CC3), I've only owned one or two cars without a folding roof or a hole in it so the fact the Skoda had the option took it right up our short list. With the blind open it's light and airy although in very cold weather I did close it. The roof is as good as most I've had, I find that up to 50 ish it's great, it has a number of set apertures but I think you can stop it where you please the reason "I think" is it is so easy to use I don't think about it in use.

The option of opening the rear is similar it's OK up to say 60 but can be a little noisy at motorway speeds. I carry a surfboard sometimes and the roof can still be opened but is noisy at A road speeds. Even when closed there is a quite a lot of whistle, I don't know whether it would be less without the glass roof and obviously some cross bars (mine?) make more noise than others.

In short I think my car would be far less attractive to me without the huge window and associated hole in the roof. If you are anywhere near me you are welcome to come and have a ride in it, or if not maybe there's another member near you who might help.

Good luck.

 One of the few things I wish my Superb had...it's on the *must have* list for my next one ;-)

Wonder how it performs in a 'roll over' test?  :think:

You loose quite a lot of headroom having the panaromic roof - if you have a 6'7" son like me then it might not be a good idea - he fit fine in the same car without the roof. However, it is huge and makes the car seem even more light and airy - and it is great when it is open. I think because it is so big that you tend to open it more. I had a standard sunroof on a Nissan Primera and I never used it.

thanks for the replies - I didnt realise it had a blind either as none of the pics online show a blind. SWMBO has a CRV with an enormous double glass roof, with a blind, but it doesnt open which is really frustrating. It certainly changes the feel of the car though.

 

Did I also understand that you can open the rear panel on the roof as well? Again, thats not something I've seen a picture of but sounds like it might be a nice feature. Luckily no height issues though as I'm 6' and doesnt sound like its an issue in the front from reading a couple of old posts on here. I also understand it has an auto-close rain sensor function - sounds mildly useful as well. 

 

Had a Saab conv a while back and a Merc E-Class cab the last 3 years but cycling is my thing and I'm sick of having to put the roof down in the pouring rain to get my bikes in or out at races and events. The quickest way to guarantee a freak thunder storm is me rolling up to a race and deciding to get my bike out.....

 

Hoping the combi will make a great long distance bike carrier to the Alps and Pyrenees and I reckon a proper opening roof would be great for those summer trips.

 

Last question, just how dark is Metal Grey? Is it a mid grey or darker charcoal near black? It looks pretty dark but searching through used cars they rarely offer a proper description of the colour - just metallic grey or other vague terms :(

Edited 22 May, 201412 yr by Bigpikle

Hi I have an L&K and it is the first car I have owned with a Sun Roof.

Before owning the car I wouldn't have considered a sun roof as an essential bit of kit but since having it I think it's great.

With the shade back my son loves looking out the sun roof. And as someone else mentioned it makes the car a lot lighter.

It is easy to operate with a knob you twist to choose how far the roof goes back or twist it further to make it go back to its furthest point. If you press the knob the sun roof will lift about an inch. The headlining is retracted by pressing the two buttons located in the knob.

The sunroof will close automatically if you are parked up and it starts to rain or you can close it remotely from the key.

Again I don't generally have it open on the motorway but do on A roads.

You are more than welcome to take a look at it if you are in the Bristol area.

thanks again - I'm nr Oxford sadly though. 

 

Got very keen on the idea now. 2nd best thing to my convertible by the sound of it!

the roof still operates with clearance when thule roof bars and ladder hooks are fitted.

Not only can you choose the extent that the roof opens but also the electric blind position.

The auto fly catcher that lifts up when the roof slides open works great too, never had a buzzy creature in yet.

Hi Bigpikle

 

The rear panel doesn't open. I think what was meant is that the front panel can be just tilted (with the back edge open). It can of course be opened to any amount you wish. The interior screen can also be "rolled back" to where ever you want it. So for instance it can be open at the front but still covered at the back (in case you have kids or aging parents who don't like the sun.)

 

Don't notice any noise until up around 60 plus and then its not much. Totally silent when closed. It was an option I wasn't sure of when ordering, but now I have got it and appreciate it, it was worth every penny.

Thanks for the update. Decided I really want the roof now but the car I was after yesterday has been snapped up so it looks like finding a slot in the line to get one ordered now :(

Hi Bigpikle

I have estate with sun roof and use it pretty well everyday even when its a bit wet, still seems to be dry inside. 50-60 mph is about the max with roof fully retracted however just open the rear windows a notch and the buffetting effect will deminish. Partially open (1 touch) and noise is not an issue for me - Crank up the audio and enjoy the mountains !

One of the earlier posts seem to suggest the rear glass section of roof opened as well, this is not the case with mine.

Word of warning if you are planing to move bikes around on a roof rack TDF style then DO NOT BUY THE SKODA CROSS BARS I got caught out because they only seem to be able to take a bike rack from Skoda as the bar cross section is far to large for any Thule or equivilent system.

If there are just two of us the bikes (road or mtb) fit in easily with front wheel off - just get a nice big sheet of plastic to protect the cars interior and you good to go.

Appreciate peoples experiences.

+ Looks very nice.

+ Tall people have a better view on traffic lights.

- Expensive

- Leakage problems when the drains are clogged.

- Adds a lot of weight where you don't want it, so it's not good for handling.

- Costs a lot of headroom, especially in the back (8 cm or so), but also a few cm in the front. So a no-go if you're tall, and most Superb drivers are...

 

My conclusion was not to buy one.

8cm lost headroom in the back? Surely not.....

Sent from my XT890 using Tapatalk

+ Looks very nice.

+ Tall people have a better view on traffic lights.

- Expensive

- Leakage problems when the drains are clogged.

- Adds a lot of weight where you don't want it, so it's not good for handling.

- Costs a lot of headroom, especially in the back (8 cm or so), but also a few cm in the front. So a no-go if you're tall, and most Superb drivers are...

 

My conclusion was not to buy one.

Interesting comment on handling. Can't imagine having a couple of slabs of glass up top is going to make much difference. It's a big car built for long distances and load lugging. I have the 2.0 petrol turbo which is quite quick, but with a sunroof or not I would not expect it to corner like my 370Z.

It was probably me suggesting the rear panel opened. Sorry I did mean the rear edge lifts as suggested above.

I was planning to get some Whisper bars with a view to perhaps leaving them in for periods. I have a Thule carrier but part of the appeal of te superb is space to carry the bike inside. I travel all the time for work so like to carry my bike with me for evening training so tinted rear windows and space to cover the bike while I'm at hotels etc is what I'm after.

Its finding a flippin car that's proving the challenge now!

Yes whisper bars the the way forward - although I had problems here as well, you can fit the existing bike carrier to the bar BUT you  captive rectangular head bolt that slides up the channel in the bar - again the profile of the bar is too large for the std clamp. Unfortunately I lost mine and had to resource the from (I think) roofbox.co.uk.

 

With regards to getting your wheels,have you asked the dealer what Skoda UK have on order from the factory already ? They should be able to see whats being made and due dates, I got mine in two weeks as opposed to twelve as my dealer has a car of similar spec to my ideal which I was prepared to accept, I think they can also see what other dealers have on order for their 'stock' cars and can negotiate an inter dealer purchase / swap.

 

Goods luck - guarantee it will be worth the wait :-)

yep - Superbs on the stock list are rarer than rockinghorse.....