Anyone put a Moonroof in their 2010 MS3 yet?

[Stavesacre21]

UPDATE 6-22-10 - PICS AND VIDEO FINALLY ADDED!!!

I'm just curious if any of you 2010 MS3 owners have considered a moonroof/sunroof for your Speed yet. Honestly, it is the one thing the car is truely missing that I wanted...so much so that I almost chose a 2009 Cobalt SS coupe over it.

I'm strongly considering putting an aftermarket power moonroof in, but didn't know how good it would look with the sloped roofline.

If anyone else has did so (even if it's not a power roof), i'd love for you to post some pics. It still bugs the crap outta me that they didn't even offer it as an option. Even the 07-09's had it as an option.

Yeah, i've heard about all the "structural integrity" debates, but I'm not gonna be tracking my car and don't need to worry if my chassis flexes a degree or 2 in it's lifetime. And it's not like i'm chopping the top off to make it in convertible.

Pics, thoughts and even flaming are welcome

 

[akosiharold_510]

i've been planning on putting a moonroof on 2010 MS3 even before i bought the car. i search and everything. but now it doesn't bother me anymore since i am having fun driving my car. maybe someday i'll put moonroof on mine. i don't think they did ever offer a moonroof on mazdaspeed 3 but hey, you could be the first 1. good luck

 

[Stavesacre21]

The 07-09's had the option of a sunroof in the GTs. Might have even offered it for sports too.

 

[ViPeR689]

The 07-09's had the option of a sunroof in the GTs. Might have even offered it for sports too.

Nope. Not in the US anyways.

 

[fateexceeds]

here's an '09: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123776837. unfortunately, no details as the poster is the second owner. but at least you know it's been done!

 

[fateexceeds]

I almost chose a 2009 Cobalt SS coupe over it.

(notcool)

 

[ViPeR689]

here's an '09: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123776837. unfortunately, no details as the poster is the second owner. but at least you know it's been done!

Yeah, so it's not an option from Mazda. The owner had to put it in himself.

 

[Stavesacre21]

Anyone ever heard anything about Auto Additions in Columbus, OH? I'm about to jump in on one with them. $1100 OTD installed.

 

[Russm]

If Mazda put the roof reinforcements in the 2010 as they did in the 07-09 MS3 cars you might want to reconsider putting in a moon roof, it is there for handleing and protective reasons.

 

[Stavesacre21]

You wouldn't believe how many hours of back-and-forth arguments i've read about the 3 "reinforcement" bars in the roof.

I've come to the conclusions that (1) yes, they are there for a reason, but that (2) MOST of the rollover protection in a vehicle is in fact, with the frame that creates the A, B and C pillars to the roof.

This car is my daily driver and not an auto-x or even abused car. I don't plan on needing every last ounce of 110% structural rigidity offered in the car. The fact that the regular Mazda3 has those 3 bars in the roof tells me that it's not gonna make or break everything...because afterall, the Mazda3 offers a sunroof in some cars.

I've talked to another 07 MS3 owner who's had his going on 4 years now, and has noted no signs of flex or change in door gaps, frames or fit and finish.

 

[Stavesacre21]

For anyone that's following, I've dropped the car off at Auto Additions in Westerville by Columbus, and will be picking it up Wednesday. They're putting in a Webasto inboard power moonroof. It was a little pricey for my liking, but I just had to have a sunroof again. I originally thought it would be ok without one on the MS3 when I bought it, but it just got the best of me. I'll never buy another vehicle without one.

Looks like i'm the 2010 MS3 guinea pig on sunroofs. Headroom might be a lil close as i'm already just over 2" from touching the roof, but it seems like it'll be worth it to me. I'm about 6'1".

Pics to come. Thoughts welcome.

 

[JTMS3]

Can't wait to see it. Might make me want to be a follower.....

 

[Stavesacre21]

Got the car back a few days ago and the sunroof looks AWESOME in the Speed3! Why on earth they didn't at least option one stock is beyond me. I haven't been able to open it up yet since they claim a good 3-4 days to let the sealant settle is called for, so i'll take pictures shortly. I might throw a video up on a youtube is anyone wants to see it in action.

The fit and finish of the moonroof is completely top-notch, and looks like it could be stock. The headliner material looks almost OEM, although i might have them touch up a few parts where the adhesive hasn't stuck the best on the first 2 days. Although they never told me otherwise, it may be my fault the headliner hasn't stuck that great. The day I picked it up I drove the 90 mile drive all the way home with all 4 windows down, unaware that the headliner adhesive may have required more time to dry. They told me to give it a week and that if it doesn't settle by then to give them a call.

Headroom in the front seat doesn't seem to have changed at all. If so, it couldn't be more then a 1/2" tops. The back seat is a different story though. I believe their claim that the back seat lost a good 2" of headroom. After checking a stock sunroof in a Mazda3 on our local lot, it's just about on par though.

I'll try to at least get a pic up in the AM to give everyone an idea.

 

[Stavesacre21]

Alrighty guys....finally got a chance to at least snap a few pics with the cell phone today. Not the greatest of quality but it gives you the idea! It was great to finally open it up today for the first time! TOTALLY worth the money for that open-air feeling again!

The roof also opens all the way up and goes into the headliner, but I like the way it looks from the outside with it just popped up. If you'd like to see the YouTube video of it in action, check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8pw2_fsUEo

Questions, comments complaints or otherwise...all welcome. More/better pics available upon request!

 

[TurtleTorque]

Dude...that's bad ass man! video was great. Got me looking into wanting to put a moonroof now.

 

[JTMS3]

ok so my ONLY complaint.... did they really have to put that black controller box on the map light? Gives me an idea when I look into doing this and seeing if I can get the buttons installed on the dash where the TC button is. Other than that, excellent choice and give us updates if you notice any differences in driving after a while. Thanks for the pics...

 

[Stavesacre21]

Actually, I originally suggested that location for the control pad. I didn't realize until after it was installed exactly how much it contrasts the rest of the upper console. It's very liveable IMO, but they could have routed it to TC console if I'd have wanted them to. They had to run wires and tubing down the A-pillars anyway so it wouldn't have been a tough thing for them to do.

The only thing I haven't been the biggest fan of is the way the headliner was finished. This is the responsibility of the place that installed it tho, not something that would generally be tough to do on every MS3. Even so, it comes with a lifetime warranty on parts AND labor so it'll be taken care of.

As for everything else, I've noticed no seat-of-the-pants changes in acceleration or handling, although i'm sure both have minutely changed. Still has me scratching my head as to why ON EARTH they didn't offer one brand new...

 

[coololddude]

If you have not had it in the rain, be sure to run lots of water over it.

 

[Stavesacre21]

Yeah I ran a test similar to that of the 5-minute test many manufacturers do. Using a power sprayer from 2 feet out sweeping the whole surface.

Hardly any drip, and anything that managed to drip through made it into the catch basin that runs out one of the 4 corners of drain tubes. It's standard that manufactures make a drainage system for any inboard moonroofs now. Nothing out of the ordinary. Further more, we got drilled with rain today and still no problems. Looks like a solid job.

 

['10MS3]

I thought not having one would start to bother me..... its only been 3 months.... well see.