Pano' Roof - Why ?

KM69MZX

KM69MZX

New member
Hi all,

I spent a couple of months looking for my F-Type and there were options that were a "must have". But one I never wanted was the pano' roof. I got lucky and found the spec I wanted (P380, BRG) without one.

A) I like convertibles and been driving Z4's for over 10 years. They're great in the Alps, Highlands, Wales etc. Unfortunately, the F-Type convertible was never a contender with its tiny boot because I love long road trips, plus the coupe just looks so stunning.

B) A pano' roof isn't a convertible. Do you look up and out of it ?

C) Too much sunlight on the dash ? - pull the cover to close it. No sunlight ? - what does the pano' roof add ?

D) My biggest beef is that it ruins the look of the car. Whichever colour you favour, you've got this beautifully sculpted body and stunning paintwork and then spoil it by putting a darkened glass panel in the roof. Why ?

And yet this seems to be a very desirable option. I see it included as a significant selling point in ads and in "wanted" ads too.

Can the pano' roof lovers please help me understand why ? I'd genuinely like to understand why they're so popular 👍🏻

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I agree that the car looks better without a pano roof. For me, it wasn't a deal breaker as I've never owned a car with one so I didn't feel I was missing out.

Perhaps the case for pano roof is that, if you're driving it all year round in the UK where sunlight is as rare as a manual F-type 😊, a pano roof makes the cabin more airy and bright.
 
WShudds said:
I agree that the car looks better without a pano roof. For me, it wasn't a deal breaker as I've never owned a car with one so I didn't feel I was missing out.

Perhaps the case for pano roof is that, if you're driving it all year round in the UK where sunlight is as rare as a manual F-type 😊, a pano roof makes the cabin more airy and bright.
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Hmmm, fair point and it might be interesting to sit in one and see if the cabin feels more airy and bright. But even if it did, I still couldn't choose that over the exterior looks.
 
I disagree - but everybody to their own :)

As you say maybe its a UK thing but to me without the Pano roof the interior feels dark and claustrophobic. In the 2 years that I have had the car I have never closed the roof blind and I think the dark glass roof is a nice contrast against the paintwork.

Do you feel the same way about the other windows in the car :lol:

If the Pano roof had not been an option would it have stopped me buying an F-Type - No, given that it is an option would I have bought an F-Type without it - No

But again its a personal preference - same as car colour etc
 
Same as Purplecat, if you drive with the pano roof blind shut the cabin feels quite dark and almost smaller/kinda claustrophobic. When you look left and right whilst driving you can see lots of light in your peripheral vision from above. I like it, I'd go as far to say if I was to upgrade (SVR?) I would look for a pano roof as opposed to one without now I've had my car with one for a few years.
 
[smugmode]I've got the panoramic roof on a black car so it doesn't detract from the look[/smugmode] It's nice on overcast days to let some more light inside, the blind is handy to keep it a bit cooler in the warmer months, although I'd rather have sun visors which swivel to the window to block out the sun when it's low and distracting in your peripheral vision
 
Morning all, our first test drive model, didn’t have a pano roof and as soon as I sat in the cabin it felt cramped and dark. This initial impression really made me think, could I live with this being a daily?.
The sales guy Paul arranged for a model with a pano roof to compare, it proved to be a game changer😊.
But it’s each to their own. If I replace our current model, then a pano roof is a must again.
 
Kev said:
[smugmode]I've got the panoramic roof on a black car so it doesn't detract from the look[/smugmode] It's nice on overcast days to let some more light inside, the blind is handy to keep it a bit cooler in the warmer months, although I'd rather have sun visors which swivel to the window to block out the sun when it's low and distracting in your peripheral vision
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The pano roof looks great as a contrast to white, too. And I completely agree about the swivelling sun visors!
 
Wasn't even remotely a consideration for when I specced mine up. Aside from the weight and the fear of chipping it (though I know this is thankfully a very rare thing), I didn't feel like I needed it, certainly not to the tune of £1000. If I'd gone for a lighter-colour car then it might have been a consideration as I agree with scm, the contrasting colour can look fantastic. I haven't regretted the decision for a second, and much prefer the tactile experience the suede headlining gives. If I had an unlimited budget, and the F-Type was still in production, I still don't think I'd opt for the pano roof.

As for the sun-visors, it hadn't even occurred to me that they didn't swivel and only discovered they didn't when I drove the car home from collecting it, with the sun setting low to my right. I instinctively reached up, tried to pull the visor 'out', discovered it didn't and muttered a few expletives!
 
To the OP…
Playing devil’s advocate - perhaps you could rephrase the question….. :lol:

How many would spec a new F Type WITH BLACK leather interior, and NO pano roof ?
 
I echo the statements by others regarding the open & airy feel that the pano brings to the cabin.

Also, as my F-Type has the Black Pack, I feel that the pano roof complements and completes the look.

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As others have commented personal choice for me I tested car without pano roof I liked the interior roof detail but cabin felt dark, tested car with pano roof was no brainier for me ok I loose some roof detail but gain more light and option to close if I want, I have black pack on my car and love the way the black pano window continues through the top of the car
 

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It's an interesting mix of agreeing that a pano roof spoils the look, followed by a complete contradiction that it enhances the look :lol:

As with all such posts, we're all different, and that's a good thing. There's no right or wrong answer. It's just personal preference.

I like my cabin just fine without the light and airy feel (it's a gorgeous place to sit). No feelings of darkness or claustrophobia - at least not until you mentioned it !

But I'll be honest, it's made me very curious to sit in a cabin just to see what the difference is like. Hopefully I'll get to try at a meet.

Appreciate all the input 👌🏻
 
I think it transforms the car. It makes the cabin feel light & spacious, and without, it feels cramped and dark. Spoken to a number of salesmen at A/D’s and they all tell me that without the pano roof a used car is much more difficult to sell, and hence worth much less than the cost of the roof when specified new.
 
When I was looking out for an F-type, I especially wanted one without the pano roof. I had a similar panel on one of my old cars. And allthough I loved riding it on a clear night under the stars, I cursed the glass roof driving it in a hot summer or in the South of Europe on holidays.

As for the looks it depends on the color I think. Personally , looking at my car, I prefer the roof in body color. It shows the body lines beautifully.
As for the people getting claustrophobia. Go seeing a psychologist :-) :-) . I like sitting in a dark enclosed interior as low to the floor as possible. It gives me a cozy and safe feeling ;-) :-)
 

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Kev said:
[smugmode]I've got the panoramic roof on a black car so it doesn't detract from the look[/smugmode]
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Agreed. Pano roof on a black car wouldn't detract. But for me that's the one exception. Enjoy smug mode :lol:
 
Each to their own but it's a must have in an F-Type for me. As mentioned, transforms the cabin feel and I always want a car interior to be as bright and airy as possible. I very rarely close mine and you do look out through it for instance when driving in the Alps. It's actually often also a bit handy to see traffic lights.

Looks wise I always thought the car looks better with the pano roof... one aligned black top surface of the windshield, pano roof and rear window. If I had bright F-Type without the pano roof I'd probably wrap it black for the looks.

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IvoDC said:
When I was looking out for an F-type, I especially wanted one without the pano roof. I had a similar panel on one of my old cars. And allthough I loved riding it on a clear night under the stars, I cursed the glass roof driving it in a hot summer or in the South of Europe on holidays.

As for the looks it depends on the color I think. Personally , looking at my car, I prefer the roof in body color. It shows the body lines beautifully.
As for the people getting claustrophobia. Go seeing a psychologist :-) :-) . I like sitting in a dark enclosed interior as low to the floor as possible. It gives me a cozy and safe feeling ;-) :-)
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Nicely articulated and I agree with every word. Especially cursing hot summers, claustrophobia and being enclosed, low and cosy 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
 
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