Love the Sunroof. I use it in all 4 seasons. Only time I don't have it open is cross town or freeway in stop and go. It can get a bit loud, but thats what the volume *** is for.,

 

The first thing I fell in love with on the MINI was the sunroof. (I did notice the stance and figured the handling would rock before that, but I fell in love at the sunroof...) I do not think I'll ever not have a sunroof on a car again actually. When we start looking for a "family" car (wife wants a minivan) I plan to look for one with a sunroof. After being in the submarine force for four years there's never too much openness.

 

I agree, Norcal is a place where sunroofs/moonroofs are just great. I happen to think a lot of the MINI color combo's look better with the sunroof, and i like using them for ventilation instead of opening the windows sometimes. I know for sure I wouldn't have gotten this car without it, I'll just find some weight savings elsewhere when I feel I really want to.

 

I consider the sunroof to be a 'must-have'. I can't imagine the car without it.

 

Many of my previous cars had sunroofs. They are fun, but I found out that most of the time I enjoy keeping all of the windows up in my enclosed car, and run the recirc a fair amount. I tend to drive in traffic with smoke belching cars right in front of me. :(

However, my main reason for custom ordering my MINI without one is that I've noticed that almost every sunroof I've had either leaked and/or rattled after about year 5. There really isn't much you can do about. And those rattles tend to drive me nuts!

It was just one other thing to not have to worry about. Oh, and a few of my coworkers had their cars broken into by someone who decided that the best way to get in was to smash the sunroof and come in through the top. I have no idea why they think this is the way to do it - maybe it's because they think the alarm won't go off?

So, I'm finally happy with my sunroof-less car.

 

have one--would definitely order one again--it is open (or tilted) about 80% of the time I drive.

 

I vote with the "I love the sunroof" crowd.

I was considering not getting one because of the sun coming through the closed roof and shining on my head/eyes. WHAT WAS I THINKING? I ended up getting it, covering with a Cooper Flags decal, and love it. I keep it open all the time now.
Get it!

 

The sunroof in the front and the moonroof in the rear are both quite cool. During the summer, I just open the sunroof and close the built-in shade.

 

I agree 100%!

 

The only time I can image my car without one is while on the racetrack. Otherwise, I love my sunroof!

 

This resale value comment is pure myth. Last year I sold my '04 MCS with no sunroof and the car sold quickly and for top dollar. The buyers were looking for a MCS with no sunroof and they jumped on my car when they saw it advertaised on Cars.com. They told me that the great majority of used MCS in the South Florida region had sunroofs and this was a turn off to them.

Actually, since non-sunroof MCS are kinda rare, they may actually command higher resale values as folks that intend to track these cars may find a lightly option MCS more appealling that a fully equipped one.

I have owned 3 MINIs, all custom ordered from factory, and none have had the sunroof or automatic A/C added to the options sheet. Couldn't be happier

The big dual pane sunroof is nice but poorly excuted in one crucial area: It lacks a solid sunshade May be this is not relevant to folks that live in colder northern climates, but for those of us that live in scorching hot and humid Miami, FL, this may make a tremendous difference in driving comfort and A/C efficiency. Yes you can add a vinyl shade to the exterior sunroof glass and cut down on the amount of sun/heat, but still not to offer a solid shade is a great oversight in part of MINI IMHO.

Miami is a hot place 9-10 months out of the year. Driving around with windows down and sunroof open in 90F+ weather and 90%+ humidity is not fun or safe, at least not to me.

As mentioned before, the sunroof adds 60 pounds weight to the roof and more complexity. Sunroofs tend to leak around the seals when they get old and become a PITA to fix and maintain.

I tried to convince myself about the sunroof by driving several demos so equipped, but I always came back underwhelmed. There are better places to spend $800 asking price for it.

If you think you are going to track or autocross the car, do not get the sunroof. If you think that after 2-3 months the "fever" is going to wear down, don't get the sunroof.

If you live in a colder, milder and less humid or dry arid climate, then the sunroof maybe a good consideration. Unfortunately the WEBASTO dual pane sunroof in the current MINI was not properly designed for the sunbelt states.

 

One more vote for yes - well two:
#1: Rear seat passengers appreciate the perceived space that the rear sun roof give them. It helps because there is precious little other space back there for sure. My little girl always asks me to "open the roof" (pull her shade) back there and often spots airplanes and the moon, etc., so entertainment value.
#2: I bought used, so the premium package was 'free'. Lots of luxury in premium and I love the sunroof at that cost. I could sure do without it, especially @ $800 but it's a nice add in a used/will resell vehicle. Consider a used vehicle and it's an easy choice to get the sunroof.

 

I think most used buyers expect to find the sunroof in the Cooper model. In the MCS, having the sunroof may be a double edged sword at time of resale.

 

If having holes in the roof is so important, why not get a true open air car instead? (Read: MINI Convertible)

 

2-3 inches?! I really doubt it, unless the solid roof is just a piece of paper-thin sheet metal. The sunroof is about 3" thick total.

 

Many reasons. Storage space, rigidity, durability, visibility, winter, and $800 for a sunroof ($860 if you count the solid sunshades) versus what, $5000 for a cabrio?

 

(my emphasisisis)

Word.

$60 for a solid sunshade? Is that OEM or aftermarket?

 

Link in post #18. I just ordered.

(another day, another $60 out of my pocket due to cruising NAM...)

 

No sunroof here. My first one didn't have one and I just ordered a new one without. Headroom is the issue for me. My helmet hits the roof in a sunroof equipped car.

I also drove an 03 S thge other day and it had an annoying buz/rattle in it. I suppose that can be fixed.

I also have a convertable mustang when I want to go "airy"

 

OK, after reading every post, I am convinced that I do want a sunroof/moonroof. I was wondering as well about this:

1. If you do not order the Chrono gauges, is there a gas gauge on the MINI that indicates the contents of the tank other then the distance to empty (DTE) from the OnBoardComputer (OBC)? If not, is this an issue?

2. Is the non S a throttle body injection system? How about the S? Any compelling arguments that would definitely point me to the S over the non S?

Thanks a Ton!

 

_

 

Oh, so now you're going to turn this into a "S or no S" thread, eh?

Yes, there's a normal fuel gauge without the chrono pack. It's just smaller.

 

I love my sunroof...though I rarely use it...I mostly opt to have the top fully open (yes, convertibles have a sunroof).

I'd skip the chrono pack. The loaner I had yesterday had it and I didn't think it was useful at all. If I'd put anything there besides the speedo I'd go for the nav system, just so I could hook up a dvd player or rear camera.

Paul

 

Thanks Paul, I did not remember seeing one when I sat at the dealer. I kind of like the look of the big speedometer in the middle, it's one more thing that is different.

I gather theres some S versus non S confrontation here By the same token, I would not be suprised if there is manual vs auto transmission as well . I have a friend that is adamat (sp?) I only go non S. It would have been a bit more compelling had he just mentioned he prefers the non S for reasons A. and B. Fuel economy was his big push. I'm ready for the test drive but man, its just been pouring rain here for a week.

 

Of Course I would get another one!