I am not a fan of the panoramic roof either. Chance of leaks/mold is basically nill since it does not open. I am concerned that if the body is not rigid enough, the glass will break when the body twists. There have been enough reports of panoramic roofs in BMW's, Audi's, VW's, MB's and Porsches just exploding for no reason to make me nervous. If I could order a "statement" package without the panoramic roof.. I would. Although, at 6'1", I am glad to have the extra headroom it provides.
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Panoramic glass roof concerns
Hi all,
i love all the ID.4 statement options except for the missing heat pump which was discussed in a different thread and the panoramic glass roof.
is anybody else concerned about the disadvantages of a big glass roof: most likely much less safe during an accident or just dropping something on the roof (stone from car in front, walnut from a tree parked under, took when mounting roof top carrier,...) compared to a metal roof, potential for leaks, higher heating of the car (even with shade closed) In the summer. I would have love the statement option without the glass roof. Also, I cannot convince my wife to get a glass roof car since she had many issues with molding and water leaking in in a older Tiguan which was not oberes by warranty any more.
Even VW cannot give me clear information on the roof: is it hardened, laminated? Some reps say the former, some the latter.
anybody else concerned or can invalidate my concerns?
thanks!
i love all the ID.4 statement options except for the missing heat pump which was discussed in a different thread and the panoramic glass roof.
is anybody else concerned about the disadvantages of a big glass roof: most likely much less safe during an accident or just dropping something on the roof (stone from car in front, walnut from a tree parked under, took when mounting roof top carrier,...) compared to a metal roof, potential for leaks, higher heating of the car (even with shade closed) In the summer. I would have love the statement option without the glass roof. Also, I cannot convince my wife to get a glass roof car since she had many issues with molding and water leaking in in a older Tiguan which was not oberes by warranty any more.
Even VW cannot give me clear information on the roof: is it hardened, laminated? Some reps say the former, some the latter.
anybody else concerned or can invalidate my concerns?
thanks!
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
I’m not worried about the roof leaking or it’s structural integrity. It doesn’t open at all, so there isn’t anywhere for water intrusion to occur. As for structural integrity, cases of glass roofs breaking on their own accord are very rare, and I don’t recall ever hearing about a solid one (i.e., doesn’t open) breaking. I’m also unconcerned about the thermal transfer, since the ID.4 had a retractable opaque cloth shade (unlike some other EV’s with glass roofs 😉).
I had an A4 Sportline with one of the first pano roofs but there was no retractable shade and it was REALLY hot in AZ. I considered a,IMO tint but never did follow through. Pano roofs do lighten the cabin, especially if you have a dark interior.
I have a Q5 with a retractable pano roof. It’s over 100K miles and absolutely no issues whatsoever, in fact it’s been a completely problem free car. I doubt the VW non retractable should pose any issues.
I was really worried when Tesla launched their glass roof, and then an accident happened where the wheel of a truck came off and bounced at high velocity onto the Tesla roof. It sustained damage, but occupants of the car were left uninjured. I think no thin metal roof would have worked as well.
I expect VW's glass roof is similarly strong.
I expect VW's glass roof is similarly strong.
Thanks all for your examples and confidence in the panoramic glass roof. Does anybody know if it is laminated or hardened? The lamination does prevent pieces falling into the cabin when the glass fractures. That would be a definite plus.
Does anybody know if it is laminated or hardened?
This doesn't really help, since it's from 2018, but back then VW was listed as using only tempered glass for panoramic roofs.I was really worried when Tesla launched their glass roof, and then an accident happened where the wheel of a truck came off and bounced at high velocity onto the Tesla roof. It sustained damage, but occupants of the car were left uninjured. I think no thin metal roof would have worked as well.
Which Automakers Use Laminated Glass to Reduce the Risk of Exploding Sunroofs?
That's all I could find. Nothing newer or specific to ID.4. The article does say Tesla uses laminated glass.
@MCheiron I guess maybe you saw that article before...and hence your question.
Related: My wife's Benz GLA250 Pano-roof has been fine, so far, but many have had issues with small plastic parts in the track system breaking and thereby incuring a very expensive repair, as typically the panel must be removed to address the otherwise humanly impossible to install replacements.
I for one am glad the ID.4 will have a fixed panel. I am also assured by the crash data available for similar-to designs.
Somewhat related: I was once on a jury involving a case centered on an alleged defective VW mechanical part. We had the privilege of an extremely detailed engineering presentation/hands-on and since that time I have been very impressed with all that the VW designers and testers do to assure as safe a vehicle as they can.
Keep in mind that retractable pano-roofs are not water tight. Rather there are drain tubes that run from the channel around the glass thru pillars to the undercarriage. Few folks maintain these properly and inevitably they get clogged and lead to interior soaking. Again, I'm glad it will be a fixed panel.
I for one am glad the ID.4 will have a fixed panel. I am also assured by the crash data available for similar-to designs.
Somewhat related: I was once on a jury involving a case centered on an alleged defective VW mechanical part. We had the privilege of an extremely detailed engineering presentation/hands-on and since that time I have been very impressed with all that the VW designers and testers do to assure as safe a vehicle as they can.
Keep in mind that retractable pano-roofs are not water tight. Rather there are drain tubes that run from the channel around the glass thru pillars to the undercarriage. Few folks maintain these properly and inevitably they get clogged and lead to interior soaking. Again, I'm glad it will be a fixed panel.
Thanks to all for their input. I will try to get a definite answer about the lamination I think I mentioned before that I received two different answers before from VW. I will post if I think this is certain.
One more data point: My coworker has a fairly old (probably pushing 20 years) VW Passat Wagon with lightly tinted panoramic glass roof. No leaks, no cracks. The shade cloth is long gone...
Glass roof loading bikes and snowboards on roof rack and scraping ice off, should i be concerned with glass roof
Panoramic glass roof heat gane do they cause much interior heat gain over a metal roof, San Diego CA
With the shade closed inside, no concern with heat gain. If you leave the shade open it will heat up some.Panoramic glass roof heat gane do they cause much interior heat gain over a metal roof, San Diego CA
That is my concern as well.Glass roof loading bikes and snowboards on roof rack and scraping ice off, should i be concerned with glass roof
I had a Jetta sportwagon with the panoramic glass roof. Never had a problem; little or no heat gain with the shade closed. But if I had a choice, I would opt for the steel roof on the ID.4, just to save weight.
That glass roof is huge. Sitting in the front seat I didn't even notice it was open. The factory tint kept the interior at a comfortable level of brightness even at 11am with the sum high above. In the back seat, it gives you such a cool feeling of being in some sort of
![917]()
a space capsule.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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