Sunroof on track/road car

[Light17]

Good evening everyone,

I’m looking to buy an RS Megane Mk3, for some reason I’m finding it quite hard to get one without a sunroof. I’ve read that a sunroof is unnecessary weight in a bad position, however I’m no Max Verstappen.

Is there any point avoiding cars with a sunroof? I’m not going to rip out the interior, take out the A/C etc and I’m looking to use it as a daily/track car.

[Xcore]

No.

[E-bmw]

The only thing to remember is that the sunroof will normally rob the car of a little head room & you will have a helmet on, so just make sure you have plenty of head room.

[DannyB2007]

E-bmw said:

The only thing to remember is that the sunroof will normally rob the car of a little head room & you will have a helmet on, so just make sure you have plenty of head room.

Yup, just this mate, especially in the meganes. However i had seat lowering brackets fitted to my MK2 (no sunroof) so not sure if thats something available for the MK3 if the sunroof becomes an issue for space with a lid on! Dropped my seat 63mm!

[osdecar]

I have a track-only car fully stripped, caged and all that, which came with a sunroof.

When I finally found an affordable fibreglass delete panel, I noticed absolutely no difference. Yes, the sunroof is a heavy monstruosity, but you really need to be a very sensitive driver to notice a difference.


As an example, do you notice a difference in braking references with an empty tank vs a full tank? no? Then you won't notice the weight of the sunroof.

[JP__FOX]

As a road car to use on track, I'd definitely prefer a car without a sunroof but it wouldn't be a dealbreaker to be honest. Probably shouldn't be saying that as when the weather improves enough to take some pictures, I'm about to advertise my 250 Cup WITHOUT a sunroof

[brillomaster]

i think you would notice the difference if you had a sunroof compared to one without. i've recently swapped road cars, which are identical apart from one has a sunroof, and its definitely not as poised as the one without.

personally, if you're planning on tracking it, i'd hold out for a non sunroof version.

[Light17]

brillomaster said:

i think you would notice the difference if you had a sunroof compared to one without. i've recently swapped road cars, which are identical apart from one has a sunroof, and its definitely not as poised as the one without.

personally, if you're planning on tracking it, i'd hold out for a non sunroof version.

Is there nothing else this could have been attributed to? Suspension wear, tyres etc.

Seems like everyone else feels that it makes no demonstrable difference so I'm interested in your experience.

[tvrfan007]

Sunroof comes in handy in track in summer..

[Luandy88]

Just don't roll it otherwise you might get a sore head.. 😂 I got rid of my sunfroof on my track car I just plated it. I just rivited it in with windscreen sealant. You can change the roof skin but many a mission

[C70R]

Light17 said:

Good evening everyone,

I’m looking to buy an RS Megane Mk3, for some reason I’m finding it quite hard to get one without a sunroof. I’ve read that a sunroof is unnecessary weight in a bad position, however I’m no Max Verstappen.

Is there any point avoiding cars with a sunroof? I’m not going to rip out the interior, take out the A/C etc and I’m looking to use it as a daily/track car.

It's a 1400kg+ car with driver and fuel.

Do you really think you'll notice the difference?

You'll have driving gods and trackday obsessives telling you how their car felt so much more 'nimble' after they shed 4kg by going to plexi windows. It's mostly nonsense that people say to justify the time/effort/expense.

Always ask yourself - Am I building a racing car here? Or am I just buying a car to have fun in?

Edited by C70R on Thursday 17th November 12:06

[brillomaster]

Light17 said:

Is there nothing else this could have been attributed to? Suspension wear, tyres etc.

Seems like everyone else feels that it makes no demonstrable difference so I'm interested in your experience.

well the first car was a 160,000 mile 2006 BMW 330d Msport, and the replacement car was a 130,000 mile 2008 BMW 330d Msport. i even swapped the wheels and tyres over, so they were exactly the same. if anything the newer car should have been better, but to me, it felt like it leaned more in corners, didnt change direction as well, and generally felt like someone had strapped a 20kg weight to the roof.

Of course, your views may vary. and no, i cant tell the difference between a full tank of petrol and an empty tank, but can certainly tell the difference on track when i'm carrying a 70kg passenger.

personally - if i had the option of sunroof or no sunroof on a car that will go on a track, i'd go no sunroof.

Again, your views may vary!