Sunroof ordeal is finally being resolved...

[RamThis]

Well, before I got a chance to phone up the lawyer Monday, I got a call from another Webasto dealer, one in Dallas, who is the dealer that picked up the 4Runner from my wife's office to fix the drains.

After a long discussion about what all happened, this is basically what we talked about and what we will do:

He told me, they would do ANYTHING I wanted to resolve the issue at this point. We talked at length about the sunroofs, the difference between the Hollandia and the SolAire series, the pro's and cons of each, etc. He said if I still wanted the Hollandia, they would swap it out as well. They would NOT require a trim ring if they used a big enough Hollandia. He did say the Hollandia has more wind-noise than the SolAire, but the Hollandia has the memory buttons which is a nice feature.

Both the Hollandia and the SolAire price out the same. Hollandia is strictly aftermarket, while SolAire is the exact same sunroof most all new cars recieve from the factory, with the only difference being the small trim ring around the body opening, whereas a factory installed sunroof has a stamped metal opening in the roof skin. Both would appear basically the same from the outside and inside, with me only gaining a couple inches of glass having them swapped out.

So, I'm thinking of just keeping what I have because I'm afraid when they try to break loose the sealant around the opening they might damage the roof or bend it up somehow.

What's your take on this???


As far as the headliner, they will replace it, and will shape the area that transitions from the console to the sunroof opening like what I asked for, not the squared off look like what I asked NOT to have.

And, they have a whole new console on order as well, and will install it and re-do the switch opening accordingly at the same time they replace/redo the headliner.





The guy I talked to was much, much, much nicer to deal with than the boobs at Southside Trim and Glass who actually did the work. He listened to me, discussed options, didnt get offended or defensive when I asked questions about why this or that, he just was very helpful and said he'd do anything I asked to get it straightened out. SOOOO nice to finally feel like someone cares and wants to help!!



So, would you guys still push the Hollandia swap, or would you keep the SolAire and have them replace the headliner and console like what I'm thinking of doing? Just curious as to your thoughts.

 

[Uneek]

IMO, at this point, I would search for every review that's available for both brands and go with the brand that has more favorable reviews.

 

[Spider5]

I would stick with what you have now because you might open a can of worms and start a whole new set of issues with another sunroof install. Since they are ordering the overhead console replacement anyway, why not ask to get the Toyota one with the sunroof switch already build in. You can even get the homelink added if you want.

 

[boston_kevin]

I agree with Spider... Right now, you already have the hole in your roof and they sealed it. If they have to cut more who knows what they could do. If the SolAire is more like the factory sunroofs and they can be sure it will remain water tight, I'd stick with that. Remember, you still get some flex with the body (and roof) if you ever decide to do much off-roading, so going with a big sunroof may cause headaches down the road.

Since they are being nice, make sure you get the exact terms of the warranty for the new roof ( for water leakage, rust, motor, electronics, etc) in writing - maybe even negotiate an extra year or two for your inconvenience...

 

[dingo]

I would just get the new headliner and switch. After that I would close the book on it. Save yourself from the possible repetition of angst. As nice as the guys seems to be, you don't know for sure how competent the monkeys in that shop are. Why risk it? Unless you like pushing your luck.

 

[RamThis]

Cool that's what I was leaning towards doing anyway. So I guess I'll go on with my plans as they are. New headliner, console, and leave the sunroof as is.

And as for offroading, not an issue for me, mine will never see offroad lol. It's just the cool family hauler, cant stand mini-vans, had to get something cool, and the 4Runner fit the bill perfectly.

 

[RamThis]

Well, they pick it up Monday at the wife's office, they will replace the headliner and shape it like I asked, they ordered a new upper console, but he said he was going to send it back because it had HomeLink and the sunroof switch would not fit. I said whoa whoa whoa hold on, HomeLink was something I planned to add myself later on. I told him I'd cover his difference in the consoles if he'd just put the homelink one in, and put the sunroof switch in one of the unused switch blanks down behind the shifter. He said that would be fine but he would not charge me any extra for the homelink console.

So, monday I'll have a new headliner, a new console, Homelink added, and the switch re-located to behind the shifter.

Once that's done, I think I can finally feel like I was taken care of completely and I can finally be happy about this sunroof deal.

 

[Falls]

I'm really happy to read this and glad its resolved .

Enjoy the Sunroof !!!

 

[pickerdd]

I agree with the others about getting the new headliner and switch. The roof is already in and I really wouldn't want them messing with it again considering their past work record.

 

[Spider5]

Based on their past record I'd make sure they don't need to do any cutting around the blank in the new switch location you selected, otherwise you might be looking at a whole new center console piece if they mess it up.

 

[RamThis]

It's a whole other dealer in Dallas that's doing the work, not the yahoos in Fort Worth that originally screwed it all up. And this guy is so much nicer and easier to deal with than the idiots that originally did it. Had I known I would have just had the place in Dallas do it, never knew they were just right down the street from the wife's office. Hel they could have just come and got it while she was at work, and brought it back to her at the end of the day, and probably would have been done right from the get-go.

Oh well, live and learn. I'll see how their work compares when I get it back before I recommend them to anyone. My mother in law was going to get a sunroof in her car after we got ours, but now I dont think she'll let ANYONE touch it after this BS. Sad for the folks that did mine, because I already had them another job lined out, if they had just done their work right to begin with. Now they lost a job, and money/time fixing my sunroof too.

 

[dingo]

I say you lucked out pretty well in the end. Mostly everything has or will be fixed AND you scored the Homelink at no extra cost to you. You will no doubt sleep better this weekend, Ram. Put it all behind you and ENJOY THE HELL out of that new truck of yours. :bigok:

 

[Spider5]

Sounds good, keep us posted on how it all worked out.