GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Brewmachine on 19 January 2022, 15:25
-
Hi guys,
I'm in the market for a new car & looking at either a Mk7.5 GTI PP / R and was after some advice.
I almost pulled the trigger on one the other day, but when looking into common faults & things to look for during a viewing / test drive - I started reading loads of reports of leaking sunroofs & trashed interiors due to water ingress. Which has scared me a little and made me rethink the type of spec I'm looking for...
Obviously, being in the UK means our rainy days far outweigh those of glorious sunshine - So whilst I like the look of it & would appreciate the extra light in the cab - I'm worried the risks outweigh the use I'd get out of it.
Surely there's loads of pan roofs in the UK - How bad of a problem is it? Am I blowing it out of proportion or should I avoid them like the plague?
TIA
Brew
-
I'm four years into pan roof ownership and have no problems at all, FWIW. I haven't gone out of my way to maintain it, either. I really should.
-
I’ve never read anything about leaks, mine has certainly been no trouble. I treat the seals occasionally to stop any squeaks. The interior is very dark without the pan roof so it’s a nice thing to have.
-
Rattles you hear about a lot and the tcr suffered from cracked sunroof surrounds.
Most water leaks on the mk7 range were either the shark fin or through the rear door speakers.
-
Rattles you hear about a lot and the tcr suffered from cracked sunroof surrounds.
Most water leaks on the mk7 range were either the shark fin or through the rear door speakers.
I would say majority are from the rubber drain tube in the boot.
-
the tcr suffered from cracked sunroof surrounds.
water leaks through the rear door speakers.
Unfortunately I had both these issues with mine and within first 18 months (along with a couple of other things).
Yes it was covered by warranty but it did take the shine off it for a while to be honest.
Thing is, no car you buy is guaranteed to be fault free either new or second hand. So don’t stress to much about the specifics like these items.
Factor the possibility that these items may happen and weigh it against how much you like the car.
-
Rattles you hear about a lot and the tcr suffered from cracked sunroof surrounds.
Most water leaks on the mk7 range were either the shark fin or through the rear door speakers.
I would say majority are from the rubber drain tube in the boot.
The facelift had an updated drain design so they aren't affected iirc.
I also have only had mk7's with sunroof's and have been grand, I like it and I would open mine nearly every drive (Just the pop up mode, I'm not a monster)
-
Rattles you hear about a lot and the tcr suffered from cracked sunroof surrounds.
Most water leaks on the mk7 range were either the shark fin or through the rear door speakers.
I would say majority are from the rubber drain tube in the boot.
The facelift had an updated drain design so they aren't affected iirc.
I also have only had mk7's with sunroof's and have been grand, I like it and I would open mine nearly every drive (Just the pop up mode, I'm not a monster)
drain tube looks exactly the same on my TCR as it did on my mk7 GTi so doubt it's a different part.
-
Pan roof on the previous Mk7 and current TCR and never had any leaks or rattles. The extra light in the cabin does make a real difference.
-
The leak I got was via one of the door speakers if I recall correctly.
-
Remember you'll only read on forums about people who have issues and problems generally and for every one of these there are many more who have no problems at all. Also consider the car you're buying will be a few years old so if it's going to go wrong it either already will have done or its probably going to be OK going forward.
Trying to send you positive vibes here.
-
Rattles you hear about a lot and the tcr suffered from cracked sunroof surrounds.
Most water leaks on the mk7 range were either the shark fin or through the rear door speakers.
I would say majority are from the rubber drain tube in the boot.
The facelift had an updated drain design so they aren't affected iirc.
I also have only had mk7's with sunroof's and have been grand, I like it and I would open mine nearly every drive (Just the pop up mode, I'm not a monster)
The sunroof was standard on certain mk7 / mk7.5 GTI models in the North American market (they didn’t have selectable options on the mk7 / mk7.5 GTI - instead they had three levels of trim, and one or two of those trim levels included a sunroof as standard) so there’s likely to be many more GTI’s in that market with sunroofs than there will be in the UK market. From memory, there have been only a few reported cases over on golfmk7.com forum (mainly US/Canadian members) of leaks from the sunroof, and those owners that have experienced leaks, the cause was usually blocked sunroof drain tubes through lack of maintenance rather than the sunroof itself leaking.
The main sunroof-related issues that owners over on golfmk7.com have reported have been;
- creaks and rattles
- loose fitting interior shade blind sliding backward and forward of its own accord while driving
- cracks in the sunroof surround - same as some UK owners have experienced with GTI TCR models with a sunroof
- delamination or peeling of the top gloss black layer of the sunroof surround - normally on older cars
- a few shattered sunroof panels, caused by projectile stones / road debris hitting the glass panel
@Brewmachine; ultimately only you can decide whether or not a sunroof is for you. As has been said by @Dav3smith, you’re more likely to hear of problems on forums rather than owners voluntarily singing the praises of their cars / features, so sunroof problems reported on forums are likely to represent only a very small proportion of all sunroof equipped cars.
I wouldn’t want a sunroof but that’s just my personal choice.
-
BTW for most of the Mk7's life you couldn't spec 19's and a panroof.
It was one or the other.
So if you are looking for genuine factory fitted 19's, you won't find a panroof...
-
Cheers everyone, I feel quite reassured on the matter.
Pan roof is not mega high on my list but would be nice to have.... Main thing is if I find a car that ticks all the boxes, I don't have to rule it out just because it has a sunroof.
Still on the lookout for one that ticks all the boxes as the last one I had my eye on doesn't have DCC, hoping the perfect spec / price combo arrives before I run out of patience!
-
Cheers everyone, I feel quite reassured on the matter.
Pan roof is not mega high on my list but would be nice to have.... Main thing is if I find a car that ticks all the boxes, I don't have to rule it out just because it has a sunroof.
Still on the lookout for one that ticks all the boxes as the last one I had my eye on doesn't have DCC, hoping the perfect spec / price combo arrives before I run out of patience!
Time isn't a luxury you have if you're after the perfect spec / price combo, it took my 2 years to find mine which is my perfect spec and good price.