Druid

Is it possible to get a 99MY UK Spec Impreza Turbo with a factory fitted sunroof?

Has anyone had an aftermarket sunroof fitted to their UK Spec Impreza? Any comments on the quality of the product? Any problems or regrets?

MarkO

I thought about having a sunroof fitted, but after a nasty leaky-sunroof experience in my old car I decided that it was unnecessary, particularly given that my car had air con.

I didn't realise quite how expensive the option is - you'd be much better off going for air-con, which costs about the same and actually cools you down!

JohnS

iTrader: (1)

Yes,

it is a dealer fit option (ie they fit it at the dealers prior to delivery).

It's about 700 quid if I remember. Haven't heard about anyone with quality problems.

Imran

Druid,
As far as I know, no you can't get a factory sunroof. I think the limited edition cars (McRae and Catalunya) did have, but then again I'm not sure.

No, you get 2 options, either IM have it fitted at the docks (very rare) or your dealer fits it.

When I enquired, it was 1500 for an electric sunroof, and it depends on which dealer fits it as to how good it's going to be.

Personally I was put off by having anyone but the factory fit it, so I didn't get it. That and the ridiculous 1500 price tag!

My advice is, that if you really want it, then find a good dealer who fits them well.

rupertu

All 'dealer-fit' options on UK Scoobies are carried out on the dealer's premises, but by technicians from Prodrive. They have an exclusive contract for this with IM. I have not discovered any way to short-cut the system and get into the hallowed Banbury premises......

Miles

There's a couple of different types, one for £500 and one for £800.

£500: Electric Pop-up, tilt and slides over the exterior of the roof.

£800: Electric Fully sliding, glass slides below the roof. Unfortunately the replacement trim is a bit shoddy compared with the "standard" trim, oh and you use 2" of headroom.

To disagree with Rupert they are not fitted by Prodrive but by a man with a van type firms.

justy

Prodrive only fit their own kits, ie WR packages. They do however hold visits, ring up for details !

dave b

How much is a electric, tilt-slide sunroof from a dealer that 'fits them well'? I've ordered a sunroof for my car (Due in August) and am rethinking this item.
Cheers
Dave B

Colin

I agree with Miles on this - it's a dealer fit by a company specialising in sunroofs. I had the £800 one fitted when I bought my MY97, although I did get a discount - I think I got it for £500 in the end - can't quite remember. Anyway the sunroof is of a high quality and the fitting pretty good (no leaks or any nasties) - but not as good as a factory fit - the switch is kind of "on its own" - no nice switch/map light panel (that's another general irritation) and the support of the interior roof cloth behind the sunroof is not perfect - could do with more support. Overall I'm pleased with it and would make the same decision again, but really expected a more "factory looking" fitment. The actual model is the Vermeulen Hollandia Tilt Vent Slide (TVS) and their web-page is http://vermeulenhollandia.com/en/welcome.html (the picture on this opening web-page is not of the TVS model incidentally). Of course Subaru may have changed suppliers since. I would strongly recommend looking at one fitted before making a decision.

justy

£840 fitted inc

james

my sunroof rattles, I wish I had aircon instead

abetts

I think sunroofs are a waste of time. Every one I have ever had has given me problems. Sooner or later they leak. If you keep the car long enough they are terrible rust traps. Finally, if you want to be purist, they add weight where you least need it. I would never seek out a car with a sunroof or specify one on a new car.

Paul Garside

All Imprezas delivered here in Sweden come with a factory-fitted sunroof (metal). I've had my MY99 a week and sunroof seems OK. The only consideration with the sunroof is that when fully open it sticks up above the car like a spoiler. Just wonder how much stress placed on mechanics at high speed, not that one drives fast with SR open. Dealer says no problem at all, surprise!
Strange that FF sunroof not available in UK and why standard here in Sweden????

aziz

I find it rather strange that in a country
such as the UK where the impreza turbo alone
accounted for more than 2000 car sales
last year , one can not get a factory instaled sun roof, well in left hand drive markets
we do get both that as well as A/C
OH and by the way an impreza turbo(99MY)
such equipped costs about 13650 on the road
and that is in pounds sterling in this part
of the world (Kuwait).

Kevshann

My 99 came with a factory fitted sunroof. Cost £638 + VAT. It's an electric tilt/slide and good quality.

clarence

Sunroofs are a waste of time, get the a/c instead.
In summer, you'll feel much better turning on the a/c. I think one way to reduce road rage in summer is to equip all cars on the road with a/c. I really think cars with both a/c and sunroof is unnecessary.
In Hong Kong, virtually every new car on the market has sunroof and a/c as standard (not with STi though), but people in Hong Kong NEVER open their sunroofs. It's hot in summer so it's a/c, and it's chilly in winter so we don't open the windows. All the cars owned by my family and relatives have sunroof and a/c, yet the sunroofs have never been opened once.

aziz

Well clarence I don't think the climate in Hong Kong gets as hot as it does here in
Kuwait A/C is at full blow from April till
November ,however during the rest of the year the sun roof pays for it self.

No use in neglecting something that was already paid for ,USE IT

HAPPY MOTORING

PS: 50+C in Summer
0+ C in Winter

Russell Haley

Mine was £840, fitted by the dealer (SGT) on a MY99. No problems with it at all - trim quality is as good as the rest of the plastic.

You won't notice the weight difference unless you are a world class driver either !

I had A/C aswell - it's as efficient as the heater, so I now have a choice of a light breeze of tepid air in winter or mildly chilled in summer.

Russ

clarence

Absolute temperature in HK might not be as hot as Kuwait, but you have to remember the humidity level in HK is on average over 90% in Summer. The average temp there is 32-33 deg in summer and for these few weeks it's approaching 30 deg. With the humidity, the heat hangs in the atmosphere. Am I correct in assuming that night time temp in Kuwait is lower than daytime temp? In HK, the temp at night and at day is very similar, i.e. hot and humid. Ferraris are notorious in HK because they catches fire easily in summer whilst sitting in the traffic.
Really, sunroofs aren't used by a lot of people in Asia, they prefer a/c. I'd rather save the £500 or so on the sunroof and spend it on something else.
PS.35+C in Summer, single figures in Winter.

championcat

My 98 Impreza sport got after market fitted sunroof made by Dutch company Vermeulen Hollandia. The mechanics of the roof is good. Its lasted. But unfortunately aftermarket workmanship is always poor. Cutting into the roof, if you dont seal the raw metal right, rust will come. It has for mine. Its left me in a daze. Hollandia as a company I think is defunct, so no warranty claims. I remember one solid scooby gararge in Lancashire, in the days when Subaru was a solid and honest compant, advised me NOT to go after market sunroof. "The curve in the Impreza roof," he said,"Makes the aftermarket job unsuitable." How I wish I listened. Have to see what I can do to cut out the rust myself. As for aircon. How much English sunshine do we get? Zero. Wind down your front and back window and let the pure air flow. Sweaty? Good for reducing some body fat. Air con is overatted American addiction. Stay true to the original Impreza rally DNA.

musso2010

wow, what a thread revival.

championcat

I concur. even breathing is hard work. riding a bicycle up a big hill without stopping can make someone ordinary feel exceptional if you can do it. I had no idea how old this post is! I bet clarence no longer owns a scooby now. maybe not a ferrari?