I am hoping to order a new RRS Autobiography soon and will need to choose between the fixed pano roof and the sliding roof. I would be interested in hearing owners comments, both positives and negatives on both options, particularly regarding noise and leaks.

I have the sliding pano roof. No leaks yet. Opening and closing (both blind and glass) are not particularly noisy but the air filter at the front makes fluttering noise at high speed. I guess I should remember to close it at motorway speeds anyway so nothing to complain about.

Being able to open it in weather like we have currently is the obvious benefit. The downside is when closed, there is a dividing line in the middle. Fixed glass roof is one big seamless piece which looks nicer and allows more light in. Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

No leaks on my sliding roof in two years. I find the wind noise excessive over 50mph and so close it to tilt position. Elsewhere on this site it has been said that if the pano roof needs replacing for whatever reason the vehicle has to go back to the factory as it is a vitally important element of the vehicle's structural strength. Still think it is worth the cost over a fixed glass roof.

Thanks guys. That's a big help

Alternately:

I simply do not understand why anyone would want an opening roof on a car that has full auto climate control.

It is just another potential source of problems - noises, leaks, fragility etc.

Like I said - JMH(alternative)O MY2016 HSE D SDV6 - gone due to fuel dilution problems.

By the age of 50 you have the face you deserve - George Orwell.

Wilf,

You took the words right out of my brain!!! Why on earth order an opening roof when the car is fully air conditioned? It's nuts to get blasts of fume and particle laden air in the car when you can have filtered and controlled air in the vehicle with standard equipment. The pano roof is great, but wouldn't swap it for the opening one for all the tea in China.

Old Jock 2018 (MY19) Jaguar F-Pace R-Sport 300PS Petrol in Caesium Blue with many bells and whistles.
2015 RRS HSE SDV6 Firenze Red with Santorini Panoramic Glass Roof, gone but not forgotten.

I guess it is one of those things like 20-way massage seats and heated steering wheel. While there is more that can go wrong with these features too, some people find them useful sometimes. At least contrast and opening roof was a no cost option on mine, like the OP. Current: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Pro PHEV with some optionals on top
Gone: MY16 RRS2 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic, Carpathian Grey & Santorini Black Sliding Pano/Ebony & Ivory 2 Tone
Gone: MY13 RRS 3.0 SDV6 HSE Black Edition, Orkney Grey/Ivory
Gone: MY09 RRS 2.7 TDV6 HSE, Santorini Black/Almond

I toyed with this too as I really love the look of the single piece of glass. However as a NCO, I don't see why you wouldn't get the opening one.

JOCK55 wrote:

Wilf,

You took the words right out of my brain!!! Why on earth order an opening roof when the car is fully air conditioned? It's nuts to get blasts of fume and particle laden air in the car when you can have filtered and controlled air in the vehicle with standard equipment. The pano roof is great, but wouldn't swap it for the opening one for all the tea in China.

Old Jock

So that with the windows down too you can enjoy tunnels more? 

Now that I can understand, lol. But I'll take an F type R convertible for that............... MY2016 HSE D SDV6 - gone due to fuel dilution problems.

By the age of 50 you have the face you deserve - George Orwell.

It was all going so well......

wilf wrote:

Now that I can understand, lol. But I'll take an F type R convertible for that...............

Nah.... 494 is better....