Friend Asks About Panoramic Roof
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
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A buddy of mine is considering my recommendation that he buy a Lexus. He’s looking at Luxury models with panoramic roof. He asks me if they’re troublesome or reliable. I scrolled through the thread on our forum and read of many guys having problems with them. However, those posting are the ones with problems. Not many of the thousands owning panoramic tops seemed to feel it necessary to post.
So I’m inquiring whether this nice accessory is prone to extra maintenance and expense. What seems to be the consensus?
So I’m inquiring whether this nice accessory is prone to extra maintenance and expense. What seems to be the consensus?
#2
Lexus Test Driver
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A buddy of mine is considering my recommendation that he buy a Lexus. He’s looking at Luxury models with panoramic roof. He asks me if they’re troublesome or reliable. I scrolled through the thread on our forum and read of many guys having problems with them. However, those posting are the ones with problems. Not many of the thousands owning panoramic tops seemed to feel it necessary to post.
So I’m inquiring whether this nice accessory is prone to extra maintenance and expense. What seems to be the consensus?
So I’m inquiring whether this nice accessory is prone to extra maintenance and expense. What seems to be the consensus?
#3
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A buddy of mine is considering my recommendation that he buy a Lexus. He’s looking at Luxury models with panoramic roof. He asks me if they’re troublesome or reliable. I scrolled through the thread on our forum and read of many guys having problems with them. However, those posting are the ones with problems. Not many of the thousands owning panoramic tops seemed to feel it necessary to post.
So I’m inquiring whether this nice accessory is prone to extra maintenance and expense. What seems to be the consensus?
So I’m inquiring whether this nice accessory is prone to extra maintenance and expense. What seems to be the consensus?
Now, if the question was, is the chance of problems higher with a panoramic roof than without one? Unquestionably the incidence of problems is greater with a panoramic roof than without one, just as with any other car that either has or doesn't have an accessory or feature that adds parts and complexity to the car.
I come from a unique perspective on this question, as a person who bought during the height of the shortages. I explicitly ordered a car to be built without the roof, and Lexus then proceeded 6 months later to build my car with it against my wishes and left me with a "take it now or leave it and wait 6 more months" decision. (To their credit, my dealership then excused me from paying its extra cost.) So, I don't have any emotional attachment to the feature. But it has been both attractive and trouble-free so far in my 2 years of ownership.
My overall advice to your friend would be that since statistical surveys such as Consumer Reports don't seem to have flagged this feature as a special source of trouble, they should decide on it the same way they would on any other option: Do they really want to have it? Is the extra cost in both money and complexity worth it to them because of the pleasure it would bring them? And then I'd decide on that basis.
#4
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The pano roof in my old 2013 ES had zero issues for the 8 years I owned it. If there was an option to get one, I would always choose it.
#5
Lead Lap
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[QUOTE=LexFinally;11690920] I explicitly ordered a car to be built without the roof, and Lexus then proceeded 6 months later to build my car with it against my wishes and left me with a "take it now or leave it and wait 6 more months" decision.
I also tried to order a car w/o any sun roof or PR. The salesman told me he couldn't do it. I used it once, 5 years ago the night I got the car to make sure it worked... Hasn't been open since...
I also tried to order a car w/o any sun roof or PR. The salesman told me he couldn't do it. I used it once, 5 years ago the night I got the car to make sure it worked... Hasn't been open since...
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MAMOSKO (03-20-24)
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
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Now, I’m reading that sometimes the rubber sealers fade from dark black to whiteish or they dry out and cause leakage. Perhaps they have to be lubricated from time to time to keep them supple.
Am I missing anything?
I use my sun roof all the time and in my 4th year, no problems of any kind.
I’m inclined to recommend he gets it if he really wants it. It’s not an apparent weak spot of any kind, I gather.
#7
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I think they are very reliable, but it is not recommended to use them when you have snow/ice on top of the roof.
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#9
Racer
Thread Starter
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Now, I’m reading that sometimes the rubber sealers fade from dark black to whiteish or they dry out and cause leakage. Perhaps they have to be lubricated from time to time to keep them supple.
Am I missing anything?
I use my sun roof all the time and in my 4th year, no problems of any kind.
I’m inclined to recommend he gets it if he really wants it. It’s not an apparent weak spot of any kind, I gather.
#10
Lexus Test Driver
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So I understand this Pano roof accessory correctly, it’s comprised of two panels. The front one is the regular sunroof that we all have. It opens as they all do. The rear, larger portion is stationary. It allows light in but doesn’t open. So in that respect, there are no additional moving parts to what we all have to go bad. Correct?
Now, I’m reading that sometimes the rubber sealers fade from dark black to whiteish or they dry out and cause leakage. Perhaps they have to be lubricated from time to time to keep them supple.
Am I missing anything?
I use my sun roof all the time and in my 4th year, no problems of any kind.
I’m inclined to recommend he gets it if he really wants it. It’s not an apparent weak spot of any kind, I gather.
Now, I’m reading that sometimes the rubber sealers fade from dark black to whiteish or they dry out and cause leakage. Perhaps they have to be lubricated from time to time to keep them supple.
Am I missing anything?
I use my sun roof all the time and in my 4th year, no problems of any kind.
I’m inclined to recommend he gets it if he really wants it. It’s not an apparent weak spot of any kind, I gather.
#11
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So I understand this Pano roof accessory correctly, it’s comprised of two panels. The front one is the regular sunroof that we all have. It opens as they all do. The rear, larger portion is stationary. It allows light in but doesn’t open. So in that respect, there are no additional moving parts to what we all have to go bad. Correct?
Now, I’m reading that sometimes the rubber sealers fade from dark black to whiteish or they dry out and cause leakage. Perhaps they have to be lubricated from time to time to keep them supple.
Am I missing anything?
I use my sun roof all the time and in my 4th year, no problems of any kind.
I’m inclined to recommend he gets it if he really wants it. It’s not an apparent weak spot of any kind, I gather.
Now, I’m reading that sometimes the rubber sealers fade from dark black to whiteish or they dry out and cause leakage. Perhaps they have to be lubricated from time to time to keep them supple.
Am I missing anything?
I use my sun roof all the time and in my 4th year, no problems of any kind.
I’m inclined to recommend he gets it if he really wants it. It’s not an apparent weak spot of any kind, I gather.
I used it all the time and wish all vehicles came with the option. Our Tesla just has the glass roof, but is stationary, which is disappointing.
#12
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We’ve had them on Toyota Highlanders and our ES and RX. Never had a problem on any of them. I actually use mine. My wife has never used hers! In the winter I always have the cover open to let more light in.
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
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Pretty much the whole roof is glass, except the small front section by the windshield, which is metal and flips up when the roof is opened. The section just behind that opens over the rear glass. I'm sure that adds some components, as there's more to it than the standard sunroof. I never had any leakage and it was very quiet. Never did any maintenance, other than wiping the seals down after washing. I never added any lubricants.
I used it all the time and wish all vehicles came with the option. Our Tesla just has the glass roof, but is stationary, which is disappointing.
I used it all the time and wish all vehicles came with the option. Our Tesla just has the glass roof, but is stationary, which is disappointing.
The only thing I, personally, am not crazy about is the way the sunroof portion has to slide over the back glass and the metal strip up front is exposed. On my ordinary Lexus sunroof, it’s so neat and clean when opened, sliding into the “pocket.” This was one reason I chose my ES over the BMW. Their sunroof when opened slides over.
I’ll report the absence of negative comments re
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I think one can buy the pano without the Luxury level. Probably hard to find though.
#14
Lexus Test Driver
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My sunroof has NEVER been opened since I bought the car more than five years ago
Furthermore, I usually keep the shade closed to enhance the cave aura with the black headliner
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