Panaromic Roof

[brush2805]

Hi folks

 

Hi to all of you.

 

My first post on here, seems a good forum.

 

I have a growing family and I need to trade up to buy an MPV so obviously the Galaxy is a consideration.

 

One question I have to start concerns the panaromic roof.

 

A review I read suggested this is a nice option because it can get a bit dark in the back of such a big vehicle.

 

However after reading this forum some of you guys don't seem to think much of the performance of the air con.

 

So if the air con is not up to scratch would it be perhaps best to avoid turning the vehicle into a greehouse on wheels?

 

Interested to hear your thoughts.

[gregers]

with the vast ammount of glass it already is a glasshouse on wheels,a friend has 1 with the panoramic roof and loves it but iirc on the forum its been posted that it squeks and rattles.

[brush2805]

Thanks Gregers.

 

I wonder how much hotter it makes the vehicle? I'm thinking on a hot sunny day do people want the sun beating down on them if the aircon can't keep the interior cool.

 

I hadn't seen any posts to suggest they squeak and rattle, but now you've said it I get even more bad feelings about the design and build quality of these vehicles. :)

[Neily]

Hi Brush2805

 

I have a Galaxy with a Pano roof and I think its an excellent option, as it makes the interior much lighter. All who have been in the car invariably say things like 'wow' and 'cool' :) There are some plus points:

 

It's made of very tinted glass.

There's a spring-loaded sliding blind for each interior section, 2 front, 2 rear (similar to the flyscreens on caravan windows) which blocks out bright sunlight quite effectively.

The 'cool' factor, already mentioned.

The glass roof itself does not squeak & rattle: it is the door compartments on the centre console which runs down the middle of the roof, but I've sorted that problem now. ;)

 

Be aware however that the sunroof does not open, neither do the rearmost quarter light windows (on most mk3's). You do get though global opening & closing of the windows from the key remote, which on a warm day allows the interior heat build-up to escape, eg used when approaching your car in a carpark.

 

The aircon system is frankly, rubbish. It's nowhere near cold enough on a warm day and the whole thing is totally inadequate. All it's good for is stopping the windows from misting up during winter. I've heard that some S-max owners are similarly disappointed.

 

Lastly, IMO and from experience, models previous to the mk3 were better put together.

 

I hope this makes things a little clearer for you.

 

Regards,

 

 

Neily

[brush2805]

Thanks Neily.

 

It does actually clearly say on the Ford website that the panaromic roof has the sun blinds but I'd missed that, but obviously it's a good thing on a very sunny day.

 

I'm glad the actual roof doesn't rattle and squeak, the overhead locker makes a little more sense. If I buy a Galaxy and get that problem I will come back to you for a fix if you don't mind.

 

I will carry on the discussion regarding the air conditioning in the existing thread on the subject, because I have more questions on the subject.

[big_kev]

I'm glad the actual roof doesn't rattle and squeak,

 

 

It may not rattle and squeak......but I would read item 2 on the link below

 

LINK

[brush2805]

Thanks Kev, my confidence in the build quality just grows and grows :)

[big_kev]

Actually its not that bad.......most vehicles have a lot more recalls.

[julesbyghia]

Ive got the panoramic roof, and yes in the summer the blinds are always pulled accross when its really sunny. but it does make the interior of the car a lot brighter and airey. Im really pleased with option. After a little frustration with fords re my aircon (see other posts) everything works well now and perfect. The rattle and aqueeks is from the overhead lockers and they drive you nuts, considering screwing mine shut!!

 

Car is currently in fords having her 1st service and a few warranty issues and some paint, one of there tech's clipped the wing last time it was in.

[davetech]

I'm on my 3rd MkIII now with the Panoramic Roof. I personally didn't want to get it last time, as I think the amount of glass visible is not worth the money. It was only the threats from the missus which caused me to relent and get it again. If we had the option, we would remove the total waste of space and annoying centre consoles (you can't put much in them as the contents rattle more than the console itself), it would be nice to have more of the huge glass available. As for the heating up of the interior, the new solar reflect windshield and extra air con unit fitted to the rear has made a big difference to the previous models.

[strataman]

I'm on my 3rd MkIII now with the Panoramic Roof. I personally didn't want to get it last time, as I think the amount of glass visible is not worth the money. It was only the threats from the missus which caused me to relent and get it again. If we had the option, we would remove the total waste of space and annoying centre consoles (you can't put much in them as the contents rattle more than the console itself), it would be nice to have more of the huge glass available. As for the heating up of the interior, the new solar reflect windshield and extra air con unit fitted to the rear has made a big difference to the previous models.

I tottaly agree not only for the top centre consoles, but also for the middle one, a waste of money.

[Bredfieldtim]

Bit late to reply to this one perhaps but my experience is that it's the storage bins, or the CDs in them, that rattle. You can't reach most of the bins from the front seats. The roof itself is OK. I've only had the car since October and the sun has not been out since :) so can't comment on the aircon. Several people have said that the tinted glass roof looks cool from the outside if that's important to you.

 

What the roof is good for is birdwatching.