Aftermarket Fabric Sunroof on a Countryman?

[MKLexy]

Hi everyone, I've had a little windfall and am considering getting an aftermarket Webasto H400 Deluxe fabric sunroof fitted to my 2011 Countryman.

https://www.webasto.com/us/markets-products/car/af...

The main BMW dealership says this will structurally impair the vehicle, and my insurance company say they won't cover me if I go ahead with the retrofit.

My questions are:

1. Will the car likely survive a roll in an accident if I get this fabric sunroof fitted?
2. Is there a 'safer' sunroof to choose, to ensure the roof is still structurally sound?
3. Which insurance company is likely to offer me cover?
4. Would you do it?!?!
5. If you'd do it, who would you use to fit it (any suggestions in London, Beds, Bucks, Herts and Northants)?

Thanks guys

[Greenbot35]

If Bmw say it will affect structure then you're stuffed really. Anything happens and heads will roll. I love sunroofs but finding a normal car with one now is impossible. Would a glass opening one affect the structure? Do mini make a models with one fitted?

[Jdjd1]

I think you are absolutely crazy to even consider doing this
It's a bad idea from the start

[TheAlastair34]

buy a cheap mini cabriolet will be the same price as hacking your perfectly good car apart

[p1stonhead]

Do you mean actually cutting a hole through the solid roof?

[Mr Peel]

I had this done on a five-year-old Rover Mini Cooper back in the day so I get the appeal. Not sure it's actually a good idea though, unless you plan on keeping it forever.

[TooMany2cvs]

MKLexy said:

Hi everyone, I've had a little windfall and am considering getting an aftermarket Webasto H400 Deluxe fabric sunroof fitted to my 2011 Countryman.

https://www.webasto.com/us/markets-products/car/af...

That's Webasto's US website. Their UK website does not have a similar section. Is it even available here?

MKLexy said:

The main BMW dealership says this will structurally impair the vehicle

Look at the factory panoramic roof.

Why do you think they "broke" that at the B pillars? Because there's almost certainly a substantial structural member across between the two. Are you willing to have that across the big opening?

MKLexy said:

and my insurance company say they won't cover me if I go ahead with the retrofit.

You can, of course, shop around for other insurers. Start with the "modified" specialists. Google is your friend.

MKLexy said:

1. Will the car likely survive a roll in an accident if I get this fabric sunroof fitted?

It'd probably be more of an issue in a substantial side impact. But, either way, if the impact's hard enough to be an issue, your 7yo Mini is toast, with or without the roof. The question's more about the occupants.

MKLexy said:

2. Is there a 'safer' sunroof to choose, to ensure the roof is still structurally sound?

Flog it and buy one with the optional pano roof...

[MKLexy]

In answer to the questions:

Yes it involves cutting into the roof(!)
Yes I'm probably crazy (I love light and air)
I want to do it because they don't do Countryman convertibles & I couldn't find a pan-roof when I was looking
Will probably keep the car for 5 more years, by which time I'll have paid off the finance

Any tips on insurance companies??!!

[TooMany2cvs]

MKLexy said:

Will probably keep the car for 5 more years, by which time I'll have paid off the finance

Woah! Hold on! You've got lengthy finance on a 7yo Mini...? Wouldn't you be better placed putting the (substantial) cost of this into simply paying the debt off?

Anyway, what type of finance is it? Will they even let you? Do you actually OWN the car...? Even if it's simply a secured loan, you may well find they have restrictions on what you can do while they have it as security on your debt.

[aeropilot]

Jdjd1 said:

I think you are absolutely crazy to even consider doing this
It's a bad idea from the start

I'd use the word bonkers.

And they were bloody 'orrible things even back in the '70's/80's on older cars (had them in two) and certainly wouldn't fit one into a modern car with the way the shells are designed today.

[Herbs]

If this is a genuine question rather than troll then forget about it - it's not even an option in the UK - never mind the lack of insurance etc

[MKLexy]

This is a genuine question, |I wasn't expecting to be heckled quite so much, but there you go...public forums aye.

These can be done in the UK and the closest place is http://executiveautocare.co.uk/home.htm

They're authorized Webasto dealers/fitters.

[Herbs]

For inbuilt sunroofs according to their website, not the fabric one.

[TooMany2cvs]

MKLexy said:

This is a genuine question, |I wasn't expecting to be heckled quite so much, but there you go...public forums aye.

"Heckled"...?

MKLexy said:

These can be done in the UK and the closest place is http://executiveautocare.co.uk/home.htm

They're authorized Webasto dealers/fitters.

OK, fine. And what did they say when you asked them? How much, anyway?

[GiveItSomeWellie]

I remember a couple of new MINIs having fabrics roofs fitted in the early 2000s, but not seen any since.

I'll find a link

[99dndd]

Greenbot35 said:

If Bmw say it will affect structure then you're stuffed really. Anything happens and heads will roll. I love sunroofs but finding a normal car with one now is impossible. Would a glass opening one affect the structure? Do mini make a models with one fitted?

Literally.

Nice idea but best not.

[steve-5snwi]

I would have though most of the strength will be in the roof pillars and that any beams running across will be there to stop the roof panel distorting. Given Mini offer a panoramic roof option (my clubman has one) and its a complete cartridge that fits in the opening I don't see what the issue is with Mini or the insurance company. I would consider the glass option though.

Webasto are a big company and putting sunroofs in cars has been going on since the late 80's. I would ignore BMW and find a new insurance company and if you want it, go for it. Any idea how much they are fitted ?

[wlondoner]

The car wasn't made a convertable so don't make it one, it will be a death trap and you won't be able to sell or insure it.

Buy a new car if you really want this feature and you have come into money

[steve-5snwi]

Why would it make it a death trap ? Both the OEM Panroof and the aftermarket are cartridge units ?

[Macboy]

It's rare I actually think "What?" about any post on PH but this near as dammit made my head explode. If OP is real and not merely stringing us along for laughs, like everyone else here I simply don't understand.

I find it hard to believe that any company would still offer a fabric sunroof retrofit on any modern car and warranty a totally unproven one-off installation. Even if this is the case I can totally seen why structural integrity would be compromised and the car would be uninsurable. I know they have done it to a MINI Cooper before (it's in their publicity pictures - I was amazed) but not a Countryman. it looks as much of a dog's dinner as my Mini Mayfair did with one in the 80's.

Most importantly for OP perhaps, you are going to be keeping the car FOREVER because it becomes totally unsaleable after you have modified it. Why not simply sell it and buy a car with a panoramic roof? I had one in my Countryman and Clubman and they were excellent. I guess if you are looking to stand up and shoot rabbits through it or take a formal salute then a fabric roof makes sense but otherwise....never.

Thanks for the laugh and head scratching OP.

Edited by Macboy on Tuesday 13th March 11:35