Get a sunroof or not to get a sun roof?

MoTastic

I have been going back and forth on the sunroof if i should get it or not. I live in Dallas and it gets hot as heck so trying to get some input of how many tesla owners actually use the sunroof?

California users are biased.

achilles992000

i have a 70D without the sunroof. i don't feel I am missing out. i consider them must have features in other cars.

I think it's because the Model S is so spacious. i don't feel cramped.

ted_98122634

I love my glass roof, very solid no rattles, this is actually the first car I got in the last 50 years that did not have a sunroof. If you use your sunroof, get it, I was forced to get it in the past because it came with a package. Very happy without one.

TeslaTap.com

For prior cars I've owned that have had a sunroof - I likely open it once every 2-3 years.

As a California owner - I hate sunroofs. Consider it a negative, but most vehicle makes include them in our area. Adds more noise, reflections and undesired overhead brightness. Also something more to go wrong eventually. Ok, I know I'm in the extreme minority so get what works for you. I don't think heat is a concern as the glass reflects 98% of the heat and is not much different than a hard roof. In cold winters, the glass is cooler than the solid roof, but seems like few notice it as a problem.

MSMS75D

We live in Dallas and we test drove the pano-roof couple of times. Even on a mild sunny day we felt it was a bit warm and bright inside. So waiting on Tesla to come up with some built-in shade solution or hoping they bring back solid roof. That is the only hold for me buying my dream car!

Peter_257855

We live in North Yorkshire, England where it is more often cold than hot, our Tesla Model S has a hard roof, specifically because it makes more sense in our part of the world. We rarely opened the roof on previous cars, they were very noisy when rarely used, and always a potential source of problems. Additionally one of the key advantages of driving the model s is that it is silent. An open sun roof demolishes that advantage in an instant. The soft lining on the hard roof also has a good effect on the sound system, where as a hard reflective glass surface would probably end up bouncing the different frequencies all over the car! There are web sites dedicated to trying to understand the value of an opening glass roof, so far they have listed a lot more cons than pros.

mac_slvr60

Disclaimer: I live in So Cal so I guess this is biased. BUT, just got my Model S w/ glass roof 2 weeks ago and I have to say the glass roof is one of my favorite features. It was in the 90s over the weekend and I haven't had any problems w/ excessive heat. I'm not sure if the sunroof is tinted exactly the same as the solid glass panel, but even with noon-time sun directly overhead, I've never noticed it unless I look directly up. Others love the "see-through" roof as well...it's such an unexpected, but brilliant design feature. As others have stated, I've always had a sunroof, but I don't miss it for a second. I think it really just comes down to whether or not you will actually open the sunroof on a regular basis. I never did; and I like the constant open/airy FEELING of the glass roof instead.

KP in NPT

We have the pano roof on our Model S and will not be getting it on our Model 3. The all glass roof will be great.

sentabo

A Californian here who has a sunroof and never uses it. I take that back. The other day my son took his cleats off after a soccer game in the heat. The smell that permeated the cabin was so odoriferous I opened the roof to air it out. It really came in handy, because my son didn't like it, therefore I don't think he'll ever take his cleats off in the car again. So unless you have a family member who has an inclination to air out his or her feet, or if you plan on traveling with Unshod Bob, you might not want one.

Rocky_H

I definitely would not want a moving roof. I would have paid a bit extra to not have it. I have the solid metal roof and really like it. The solid non-moving glass roof might be OK, because the look is nice, but I just don't want the mechanical complications of the opening and closing stuff.

MS_Hapi

Sorry another Californian here, but we live kind of inland valley so it does get Texas hot--90-110+ during the summer/fall days, and we have the pano sunroof. Can't say we find it noisy closed; and there are times when it's great to be able to open the roof up and quickly vent the hot air to cool the car down. We don't feel the sunroof which has IR and tinting gives off any noticeable heat...THAT comes from the windshield and hatchback in a big way. If your AC ever fails, I'm sure you'll wish you had the sunroof.

We bought the Tesla sunshade for anytime we want to open the sunroof and it's sunny and beating down on you. That or maybe where we are in a mosquito/buggy area and want it open. Easy in and out and folds compactly into the sleeve that comes with it. We enjoy the sunroof mostly in the evenings when we don't get the heat from the sun and don't need to have the AC on (and sometimes when you are low on battery). Find it quieter and more pleasant than opening the car windows while driving. One car we owned only had a moon roof and we felt that was a waste of money and regretted not getting the sunroof.

On a more fantastical note but true event and not one that you ever expect this to happen to you -- but one driver who was avoiding hitting a deer -- found himself going 500 feet down a steep slope and his car flipped over landing on it's roof at an angle. Managed to climb out of the sunroof area. https://electrek.co/2017/04/19/tesla-model-s-crash-cliff-save-life/ In posts on another forum he said he had trouble opening the doors so went out the sunroof which was his easiest way out.

My suggestion is to see if you can arrange for an overnight or weekend test drive of a MS with a pano roof and experience it for yourself. There's really no consensus on this.

CEYA GAS

Also a Californian. Our 2014 has the pano roof and we love it. Drove from LA home to San Jose yesterday. 100 degrees or higher most of the way up I-5. No issues with heat.

Also, remember you have to pano roof to get XM...

CEYA GAS

Also a Californian. Our 2014 has the pano roof and we love it. Drove from LA home to San Jose yesterday. 100 degrees or higher most of the way up I-5. No issues with heat.

Also, remember you have to have the pano roof to get XM...

dknisely_98086286

Got the sunroof (pano roof) here in Seattle, and I don't really like the sun, but we really like the sunroof. Being able to open it a crack is really nice, especially when leaving the car in hot weather. The view is terrific. I also very much wanted the option for adding the Whisperbar roof brackets.

However, the all-glass roof looks totally awesome, and it would offer an even better view. I'm sure you won't go wrong either way. Both look terrific from the outside, but the all-glass is even more unique and stylish.

Tropopause

Only choices on new Model S' are solid glass or sunroof glass. Both work great when closed to block heat and noise. If you prefer the option of letting in noise and air, go with sunroof. I never open my sunroof and would have chosen a solid glass roof, knowing what I know now and had it been available when I purchased my car.

Dreamship

I live in Dallas and love the sunroof. First car I've ever really used it on even though I've had sunroofs on my cars for 30 years. Heat and sun when it's closed hasn't been an issue for me at all. You can always get it tinted darker or get an aftermarket shade for it. One thing I like is that on a nice day, I can open it all the way and roll down the windows and it's roughly equivalent to having a convertible.

Some have complained about rattles, leaks, and mechanical issues. I haven't had any of that. But I've only had the car for three months--and it's leased. So the warranty should take care of any issues for as long as I have the car. I take Elon at his word when he says Tesla will never stop innovating. So it will be a new S for me in 33 months.

PhillyGal

I absolutely love our sunroof but had the solid all glass existed back then, we may have considered. Then again, probably not since it was replacing a soft top Jeep but for me - I love the glass but rarely open it. Hubs opens it every chance he gets.

kdufort_98083990

I'm in New Hampshire and I love, love, love the sunroof. My work commute is 35 miles each way on relatively uncrowded roads doing 40-60 MPH. It's sooooo nice driving with the roof wide open, which I do just about any day it's not raining and the temp is at least in the 50's or higher. When it's warm enough for the windows to be down too, it's almost like driving a convertible. We've had a couple of 93-94 degree days recently with bright sun and when the roof is closed, it does just find deflecting some of the sun and heat.. Highly recommended!

fholley_98078709

I couldn't imagine not having the sunroof. I typically drive with it open, but even if I didn't, just being able to crack it to let the heat out on hot days when the car is parked outside would be enough of a reason to get it.

222

I love my Pano-roof.
I might hardly use it, but when I do I enjoy it.

PCMc

@mo.iqbal - I think the best indicator is did you have a sunroof in your previous car, and if so, how often did you really open it.

My wife has sunroof in her last two cars. Only time either was ever opened is when I took her car for some reason during nice weather and I opened it.

I on the other hand owned a Honda S2000 convertible for 15 years before purchase of my MS. I was the primary (only) driver of it and it was driven with the top down every chance I got, including in weather when I'd have a coat and insulated hat on with the heater turned up full blast (yeah, I'm really that nutty!).

Anyone want to take a guess on what type of roof I got for MY MS 90D a year ago?? If you guess pano roof, you'd be right, and it's open most any day that the weather cooperates.

Oh, and I do not live in California, but am in central Indiana.

Wprather_98091019

I have had sunroofs on previous cars and rarely opened them. SO, I went for the all glass roof and absolutely LOVE IT! No issues what so ever. I have the black interior so I have no glare. The tint level is perfect. I live in Sacramento. It was 104 today and no heat issue at all.

revrev4ruach

Texan here. Where we have two seasons: Summer . . . and then August. Love the pano roof even if I open it only occasionally. It's worth it to me. I have had no problems with noise, leaks, mechanical issues, reflections, overhead brightness, or heat with the pano. I have no experience with the cold. Did I mention I was in Texas?

I agree there is no consensus and both the pano and all-glass roof are great options. You can't go wrong. I also agree you should reflect on your past use, but test both in a Model S and get what you like best in the Model S. If I get a second Tesla like a Model 3 or X, I will almost certainly get the all-glass roof to have one of each for variety's sake, and because they both have unique advantages.

MoTastic

I appreciate everyone's feedback. So the basic theme here is your good with it or without it.

I have 30 minutes to change my order and decided might as well keep it. The all glass looks slick and amazon inside but the suede on the pillars for the sunroof looks amazing too.

Decided might as well have vs. not have it and regret it over 2k.

I appreciate everyone's feedback though!

vp09_98036927

Have two S 90 Ds. One with Pano roof and one with out.

I used my wife's Pano roof two days ago. To show it off to the folks I took driving.

Otherwise, a waste of money.

I think the solid glass roof is the way to go.

Anthony J. Parisio

I live in the Northeast. It gets very hot and very cold here. I don't open the roof that often. However I would rather have it then not. There are times when I needed it and it was great. Examples: stubborn gate which forces me to hold remote out above the car, tall plant that only fit upright through the roof, parades, car show entry, etc. I have done all these things. Have said this, if I could not get the sunroof I still would get the glass roof.