Anyone found a way to block more of the sun coming thru the mesh screen?

New owner of a 2007 MC 180 miles and the check engine light already on!

 

I found a way: Install a vinyl decal on the sunroof. Checkered, preferably. And make sure it's not the perforated vinyl.

Your second statement has me confused. What's that have to do with the subject of your thread ? And are you asking for help with the "check engine" light, or just lamenting ?

BTW, welcome to the board.

 

Second statement about the check engine light is just a comment. I had noticed a lot of postings/replys about that issue so I'm not panicking yet. Just sharing information.

 

Gotchya. Thanks for clarifying... I hate being confused.

 

Stratmosphere, at www.stratmosphere.com/mini_interior.htm, has flexible sunroof shades that are fitted to block the light and heat. They fold up and can be secured with velcro when stowed.

One size fits both the front and rear sunroof windows on the R56.

 

That's mint, Sowellman. I was getting ready to make cardboard cut-outs in preparation for the summer. :p

The mesh is nice, but I really wish MINI had at least the option for an opaque cover/door for the sunroof. The mesh is making me wish I ditched the sunroof all together.

 

My wife decided she had to have a sunroof on her car. Sprung that little suprise on me while talking to the MA.
The Stratmosphere looks like a good idea. Thanks

 

And I'd almost talked myself out of ordering my Mini with a sunroof. Now this puts a new twist on it. Thanks for the info, Sowellman

 

I'm not sure why they use the mesh slider. My Civic had a solid shelf so you could decide whether you wanted all sun or no sun. Seems like a better choice.

 

Also to Chile Red: Do you have a checker decal on yours and if so, do you know if the one the dealerships have is solid or perforated? I had considered this as a way to block out about a half of the sun, which would be significant.

 

So are the sunroof's for the 53 and 56 or us with "old" MINI's out of luck?

 

The web page posted shows a sunroof set specifically for the R56 and another for "Mini Cooper." I'm assuming that the later will be good to go on models earlier than the R56; that's what I'm ordering. I'll post up some feedback when they are received.

 

Those that you mentioned will fit the first-generation cars. They just recently began offering the R56 shades. I was asking about them before they were available.

Last week, they had the manufacturer send me a set directly. They were too small, so I assume those were a set meant for the earlier model. They're checking on it for me. I'll post an update when I hear back.

 

I spoke to Greg(?) yesterday on the phone to place an order. Stratmosphere is currently out of stock, at least on the "Mini Cooper sunroof shades," however they expect more in later this week. He also mentioned, like Sowellman indicated, that they typically ship from the manufacturer located in CA, not Statmosphere located in NJ/NY.

 

A nice permanent solution that my wife and I did on ours was went ahead and got the glass panels tinted when we had the windows done. 35% on the windows and 5% on the sunroof. It's the perfect ammount and keeps the car nice and cool.

 

Hey! What a good idea. I love my sunroof during the winter, but during the summer...hot, hot, hot! Especially with leather seats. Did you have the glass tinted at a glass shop or direct thru the dealer?

 

It was done at a glass shop. The 5% sounds really dark, but honestly it's perfect for the sunroof. You can still see through it really well during the day, but it helps keep the car nice and cool while its sitting. I love the sunroof and wanted to still see out of it!

 

I received my Stratmosphere sunroof shades yesterday. The manufacturer had originally sent me a set that were too small for the R56. This set fits perfectly and they work great.

They're made from the same material as their windshield screen, so they not only block light but also keeps the heat out. I wholeheartedly recommend them.

 

I finally received my shades! Its seems even though I spoke to a Stratmosphere employee directly and told him the year and model of my MINI, I still was sent the incorrect size. My shades are a tad too large for my windows. However, if I fold each shade over by about an inch on one end, I get the correct fit. I'm not sure yet if I can be arsed to return them for the "proper" size. Performing exchanges and returns whilst living in Europe are for the birds, unfortunately. I'd comment on their performance, but we had a cold front come through this weekend dropping temperatures by about 15°F - 20°F. :p