What about pictures without the roof bars. 
Technical removing roof rails.
- Thread starter deeyup
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Technical removing roof rails.
I had the most astonishing reply from Fiat in reply to question about which of the Webasto sunroofs they deem suitable for the Panda:
Thank you for contacting Fiat customer information.
Regrettably, we are unable to advise on any modifications that you would like to do on your vehicle.
If your vehicle is within warranty, any modifications will invalidate this.
I appreciate that this is not the answer that you were looking for, but unfortunately we do not support any modifications.
Our Customer Service team remains available to further assist you at your own convenience from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 18:00,calling the 0080034280000.
This is my reply:
Thank you for your reply, but that information contradicts what my dealer has informed me. They advised that only the anti-perforation warranty in the roof area would be affected. How on earth can such a modification affect the warranty on, for example, a faulty gearbox, failed windscreen wipers or indicator stalk? That would be ridiculous.
Also, are you seriously telling me that any modification (eg. tow bar?) will invalidate the warranty?
Thank you for contacting Fiat customer information.
Regrettably, we are unable to advise on any modifications that you would like to do on your vehicle.
If your vehicle is within warranty, any modifications will invalidate this.
I appreciate that this is not the answer that you were looking for, but unfortunately we do not support any modifications.
Our Customer Service team remains available to further assist you at your own convenience from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 18:00,calling the 0080034280000.
This is my reply:
Thank you for your reply, but that information contradicts what my dealer has informed me. They advised that only the anti-perforation warranty in the roof area would be affected. How on earth can such a modification affect the warranty on, for example, a faulty gearbox, failed windscreen wipers or indicator stalk? That would be ridiculous.
Also, are you seriously telling me that any modification (eg. tow bar?) will invalidate the warranty?
babbo_umbro
Established member
It's a bummer but not entirely surprising - presumably they either have to look into every suggested, or conceivable, mod and either sanction it - implying some sort of responsibility - or not, which would be a significant undertaking; or they just give out a blanket "No", which entails no effort at all.
I agree, but I don't think their position would survive scrutiny in court if they refused to honour the warranty on a component unrelated or connected to a modification be it winter tyres (a mod after all), towbar or anything else u might care to mention...
I'd also be very surprised if you took your car in for say a clutch problem and the dealer called fiat to say there was a sunroof installed.
babbo_umbro
Established member
I'm sure that's right (though the 4x4 came with winter tyres) - I always line door pockets and glove compartments with sticky-backed dark grey carpet as soon as I buy a Fiat (I used to do arm rests but that's not necessary on the new 4x4) - that's presumably a modification but no court would uphold the suggestion that this invalidated the warranty on the car. Anything that impinged on electrics - such as a tow bar or the Webasto roof - might be a bit more problematical if an electrical problem arose.
Shouldn't do if the correct westfalia loom is used - as used by fiat themselves incidentally...
Yes, I thought fiats reply was astonishing and I've already challenged it with them.
His are you getting on with removing the roof bars and turning the roof black? I was wondering whether the roof is reinforced at that point or are the bars just attached? Just seems odd that you cannot have the factory-fit sunroofs with roof bars....
Roof could indeed be reinforced internally to bear weight plus aerodynamic forces caused by roof bars and anything attached to them.
Factory wishes to sell options as much as anyone, but if a factory fitted option will cause increased warranty claims, according to their own calculations, then they might as well not offer that option at all.
So, if owner fits that particular option elsewhere, then factory is no more responsible as warranty is void.
Factory wishes to sell options as much as anyone, but if a factory fitted option will cause increased warranty claims, according to their own calculations, then they might as well not offer that option at all.
So, if owner fits that particular option elsewhere, then factory is no more responsible as warranty is void.
Well yes, but how can fitting sunroof or any other 'modification' affect engine, exhaust, electrics, etc etc etc?
It will have absolutely no effect on those other sub-systems.
What the factory does is just a statistical projection on warranty claims cost.
Even fitting that one particular option does not mean that your one specific car will be damaged, but doing that to a great number of cars might lead to a different statistical result, at least the factory seems to think so.
What the factory does is just a statistical projection on warranty claims cost.
Even fitting that one particular option does not mean that your one specific car will be damaged, but doing that to a great number of cars might lead to a different statistical result, at least the factory seems to think so.
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Car's going in tomorrow , mirrors being painted by the end of the week too.
U having roof sprayed or vinyl? If the latter how did u resolve the aerial issue?
Look forward to seeing it
babbo_umbro
Established member
That's reassuring, especially as it confirms what the Webasto fitter near Tiverton told me. I'll look into the whole thing further when we're back on Pudding Island in a couple of weeks.
Webasto? U mean westfalia?
babbo_umbro
Established member
Well I thought I meant Webasto - the Webasto site came up with two fitters near us - one in Ivybridge and one near Tiverton - what I meant was that the Tiverton man assured me that their electrics for the folding roof integrate properly with the Fiat system.
Oh OK. Sorry to confuse. I thought u were talking about towbar electrics. So which sunroof u considering?
babbo_umbro
Established member
The Hollandia 400 - but I need to go to Tiverton to look at one, and the details of installation, as initial measurements suggest that the actual opening is quite a bit shorter than the frame round it - to accommodate the folded up fabric - though still quite a bit longer than any of the glass ones - and I need to see how "open" the car would be. It's not worth doing if the hole's not big enough (as the as bishop etc...).
Hahaha! I agree about the opening. I am about 2 hours away from my closest fitter, so I would be very interested to hear your thoughts about it after u have seen it and also what they say about replacing the strength of the structure removed by cutting the hole in the roof. I must admit I'm getting slightly cold feet about the prospect!!
babbo_umbro
Established member
Hahaha! I agree about the opening. I am about 2 hours away from my closest fitter, so I would be very interested to hear your thoughts about it after u have seen it and also what they say about replacing the strength of the structure removed by cutting the hole in the roof. I must admit I'm getting slightly cold feet about the prospect!!
Yes - I'm becoming quite fond of my 4x4 - in a sort of ugly duckling way as I still much prefer the looks of the predecessor - and a thousand quid's a lot to spend to turn it into a blancmange with a slot in the roof. Still - as has been noted earlier in the thread - Webasto have been in the game for decades (since 1901 apparently) and their products have been certified by the TUV in Germany.
