Author Topic: weight difference in sunroof? (Read 9155 times)

gravyface · « **on:** November 19, 2009, 10:13:44 AM »

My 91 318is doesn't have a sunroof; I'm curious as to the weight difference (if any) between one that does.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** November 19, 2009, 10:41:30 AM »

I'l bet my sunroof panel is 15 pounds all by itself. Then add in the tray, cables, rails, crank or power motor, fabric cover, etc. I'd think about 20-25 total, maybe 15 pounds more than a non-sunroof car. Not much weight (<8KG) but it's in the worst possible place.

adulturtuxusy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2010, 09:49:03 AM »

why not use lexan?...its lighter than glass, wont break, and you can drill it. whatever rt was mumbling about is pointless, you can easily modify a sunroof without having any issues...just use the factory frame, replace the glass with lexan, switch out your sliders if needed, but they most likely wont have much of a weight difference.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2010, 11:06:18 AM »

The sunroof frame & panel are surprisingly heavy. And that weight is at the worst possible place for handling too. The rare glass moonroof is even heavier. I'll bet the roof of a sunroof car weighs 40 pounds more than a slicktop. The e30 sunroof isn't a cartridge style roof, so it's a bit more trouble to modify.

I'm not rallying, so it's not much trouble for me. Polycarb is a good idea though...a little heat so that it has the same profile as the roofline...it'd be sweet. Maybe something tinted & UV stable, polycarb would make it like an oven in there.

horror business · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2010, 12:07:34 PM »

Yea most motorized glass sunroof units are around 40 to 50 pounds.

e30jr88 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2011, 12:07:07 PM »

Anyone know if there is someone that has succesfully modified and removed the sunroof? i'm soon to give my car a repaint and would like to get rid of the sunroof since it doesnt even work and I dont use it.

91 e30m42 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2011, 06:12:41 PM »

well you can simply yank the whole mechanism out and weld the sunroof to the rest of the roof... ive also seen ebay blank panels that they sell just for this type of mod even in carbon fiber...

e30jr88 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2011, 01:16:55 PM »

I see will do this soon, because noticed that my sunroof's gasket is gone.

e30Andym42 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2012, 09:38:49 PM »

Yeah, I know newman shaved his sunroof. Lower center of gravity, and stiffer roof.

Author Topic: weight difference in sunroof? (Read 9155 times)

adulturtuxusy