I ordered my new MCS about 4 weeks ago. He is due to born this coming Thursday. He is chili red with all the bells and whistles I ever wanted...and he has a sunroof. Now, I'm afraid that is going to be the one thing I really regret. I read so much on here about how hot the sunroof makes the car and how the sun comes in too much, etc. Can anyone make me feel better about this decision? I want to love 'Bradley' 100%!

 

Do you live somewhere incredibly hot? If not, don't worry about it at all.

If so, consider getting a dark tint or buying a ZippeeShade which will block out the sun but still allow the sunroof to function normally.

http://zippeeshade.com/

 

We live in Virginia right now and it isn't incredibly hot. We are from Texas and it is 'hot as blazes' there, guess I'm still in that mindset. I ordered a zippeeeshade last night!

 

Why not just tint the sunroof at 5% (limo tint)?

 

Sixth MINI on the way. All have had sunroofs (one was a convertible) but the one I just ordered will not. I didn't leave it off because of the heat though... left it off because I don't like the look of one on red roof. I don't find there to be a huge difference in heat with the sunroof with the pull shade in use.

There are pros and cons to having one. But the best thing about them is how much air you can have moving thru the cabin with the windows and sunroof wide open. It's nearly like driving a convertible. So enjoy !

 

Sun roof is fantastic. Glass is smoked and there is a pull shade I leave permanently in place. I love the sense of the extra air and cool look and never experienced extra heat; With back windows which don't open (like in the original Minis from years ago) this is the best option.

 

I say enjoy the sunroof .. I lived in Aussie for about 2 years...never had any heat problems there..and it does get warm there.. Plus there seemed to be a crap ton of MINIs running around there too!! ha ha

 

Yep, sunroof wide open and windows down is awesome in the Mini. I doubt you will regret it. I never have heat or sun glare issues with the OEM sun shade in place, it works just fine.

 

I am on my 3rd MINI, a 2012 Countryman. All of them have had sunroofs and I live in South Florida, which gets HOT! Prior to my MINIs, I had other cars with and without sunroofs, and the MINIs are NOT any hotter inside because of them! I have noticed that the sunroof in my Countryman is tinted darker than in my other MINIs. Not sure if that is a change to all of the models or if it's a Countryman/Paceman thing. It has been discussed elsewhere that tinting the sunroof is not recommended, as it can cause the glass to crack.

I love the sunroof for several reasons. First, nearly the entire roof is glass, which gives a great feeling of space to the car. I've been in MINIs without a sunroof, and they can feel claustrophobic (I love the Coupe, but the lack of a sunroof would be a deal breaker for me). Second, if the car does get hot inside, you can vent the sunroof to let out some of the built up heat. Third, I love driving with the sunroof open (Yes, it can get noisy, but ALL cars are noisy with the sunroof open).

 

Hot? It might add "some" heat to the interior... But IMHO sunroofs make a car cooler... Leave it popped in hot weather and walk away..

I'd say the gains of being able to open the top far outweigh the worries.

If you do find its an issue, just add some tint or vinyl to the underside of it.. Or get a roof decal!

 

Would not own a mini without the sunroof. Too enclosed in without light from above.

 

We live in Southwest Florida. My R53 has a heavily titned sunroof and I love it. I never close the shade. Its fun watching the rain bead up and scatter too.

 

^^^ What chadci said. ^^^

I'm on Florida's Gulf Coast and live comfortably through the summer with a sunroof, tinted with 5% limo tint. You still get plenty of interior light but no excess heat build-up even in full midday sun.

 

Yep, and I open it and the windows as I approach the car to let any heat out anyway. Unless I'm on the interstate or it's raining, I have the sunroof open and windows down. My wife typically prefers AC to be and has always hated sunroofs... but in the MINI, it's a different story.

 

Graphic on the sunroof helps in addition to the factory tinted sunroof glass and the factory pull shade. These cover just the glass portion.

R55, R56, R60 version.

Roof Decal Black Jack - w/ sunroof


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51140418665/ES78821/




Roof Decor Checkered Flag - w/ sunroof


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51140418664/ES78820/


Roof Decor Union Jack - w/ sunroof


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51142207805/ES2194725/


For when your MINI is parked and you live in a hot climate, the front sunshade helps keep the heat out and the sun off the steering wheel.

R50, R52, R53, R55, R56 , R57+, Not For Countryman


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82110035953/ES194731/



If you like aftermarket side tint that is another option. If you want the side sunshades that can be placed in the inside back.



R56 2007+ Version.

Sun Blind Side Windows - Pair #2 in diagram


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51460414734/ES119334/



Rear Sun Blind For Trunk #1 in diagram.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51460414754/



Hope that helps and gives you some options.

Thanks

 

Thanks to everyone! I feel much better. I'm getting the checkerboard sunroof graphic, so from what you guys are saying that should help some too. Can't wait for my Mini to arrive!!!

 

Last year was my first summer with my Countryman with the sunroof and I did feel it was too hot compared to other cars I had with sunroofs. This year I tinted the windows and sunroof and what a difference. Cost me about $240 to do the whole car except front window. Very happy with the result and worth every penny.

Picture below is before tint

 

We just got the car tinted and the tint guy had a clear tint that he put on the sunroof that supposedly blocks almost all of the heat from the sun. I don't remember what it's called but that stuff is really amazing. It's so nice to finally have a car that doesn't get crazy hot inside during the summer.

 

Is the material reflective - i.e., does it look like a mirror from outside?

 

Nope. The factory sunroof has somewhat of a tint to it already. This is just a clear tint. I'm not sure if this is the actual one that was used but a quick google search turned up the 3M product... http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...omotive_Films/

 

I have it, all that shade the white decals put out do a nice job.. you'll be fine.. plus its fun as hell looking!

 

I'm also in Virginia with my 3rd MINI ....and I will not buy a car if it does not have a sunroof...that's the number one must have in my book. I rarely drive any of my cars with the air on rather always with the roof open and the windows down (until my wife gets in then I have to put on the air) --- where in Virginia are you...we're in Culpeper.

 

We are near Langley AFB. Military, so we've just been here a few months.

 

I live in AZ, the sunroof as one club member put it makes your MINI an "easy bake oven"

It does, but I love it. Just try to park in shade or get zippy shades for the hotter times.