When I was looking for my latest mini, I found a lot of really nice mini's that were tempting, but with sunroofs installed in them, they killed the deal for me. My concerns were finding replacement parts if and when the time comes that things need replacing. Anyone else feel the same way? There was one really nice early cooper reproduction that I was looking at, it was made to look like one of the early rally cars, but saw in one of the pictures a glass sunroof installed.

 

Something clean about a MINI with a contrasting roof.

I don't much care for the option of a sunroof.

The test model I drove sold me on the MINI handling, but the sunroof was clearly a distraction.

The noise factor was unacceptable when open and the beaming sun in the day was defeating the purpose of the roof. (If I wanted a convertible, I'd get one.)

I like the nice clean (white in my case) roof lid and the beautiful shade and quiet underneath.

Plus I have no worry on rattles, leaks, or squeaks.

To each his own. Get the MINI you want.

 

I'd like a Webasto retracting fabric roof, but I do worry about leaks. I think the manufacturer still makes tem as well as parts, but I might be wrong - they're still in business so you could ask them.

http://www.webasto.com/home/en/homepage.html

 

I like the MINI sunroof in theory, but the absence of an opaque sun screen and the presence of the hot Texas sun put me off. My MINI is at a park-and-ride all day and would likely be an oven (more than it already is) by the time I get to it in the evening.

The added weight wasn't really a factor for me...but a valid side-issue. I've has several MINI loaner cars w/ sunroofs. Cool...but not my thing.

Yikes.....we're talkin' classics aren't we!!! I've only seen two Minis w/ sunroofs...both Webasto. They were nice!! Don't they make...or were involved with...the MINI cabrio roof??

 

Yes, tbhis is the Classics forum, so I assume he's talking about the CLASSIC rollback roof... I don't know of Webasto made the roof for BMW or not.

 

Seems I'd read somewhere they were involved or involved at some point. Are the Webasto sunroofs for Minis prone to leaking? I've never heard anyone comment on that...but then none of the classic Mini owners I know have sunroofs themselves.

 

I was definitely against a sunroof in my MINI since all the ones I'd ever had before were just a waste. In my first car it was the screaming urges from my friends that made me get one(89 Integra). My second car came with it and was the only color I wanted (96 BMW 328i). My Scion didn't have it and I didn't miss it. My last car and my last ever Landrover Freelander had one and again it was the only one in the color I wanted. I never used it. It would open on it's own if there was something in between the seats that was heavy enough to press the button (the controls were not up top like the other cars). While shopping for my MINI the dealers would always say, "but this has a sunroof". And I would say "but I don't want a sunroof". The look on their face was pretty sad. After reading some posts on sunroofs when I first joined I am so glad I special ordered my MINI without.







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While we were debating the sunroof-or-not question, my wife pointed out that I rarely used it when my car did have one. We also like the big palette that the white roof gives us for artistic expression. We've had the MINI for two months with no sunroof and no regrets.
Here are some of our roof-art thoughts.

 

Had 4 MINIs with sunroofs & loved them all. May consider a sunroof (webasto) in a classic especially with sliding windows as fresh air is in short supply.

 

My Mini has a sunroof on it. It's not mechanical so you have to push it up to vent it. It's pretty cool but I don't really like it because I can't put a cool roof graphic on my car. :(

 

With my last car, I didn't want A/C ('82 Rabbit), so I thought, might as well
get a sunroof if I don't want A/C. Plus, it was very hard to find a car then
without A/C and the only ones without had a sunroof instead.
Never really loved the sunroof, though.
When it's hot enough to open up, the sunroof lets more sunlight and heat
in, and my wife complained of sunroof hair, and more weight, which was one
of the reasons to get the car without A/C in the first place.

Love my thin tintop MC that I've had for more than 4 1/2 years now.

 

My Classic Mini has the full length Webasto sunroof. I've had the car for about 4 years, and no leaks yet. I did have a problem when the mounting screws for the motor came loose, but was an easy fix once I got brave enough and tore into it. If I had to choose sunroof or no sunroof, would be a hard choice. I love the look og the solid roof on the classic more than the look of the sunroof. However, when I do open the roof, it is almost like being in a convertible. Especially nice on a warm evening, and a full moon, Nice!!! So since my Mini already has a sunroof, I will enjoy it, but the next Mini or MINI will be a different discussion.

Clyde

 

I'm with speedyclyde. I think a Webasto on a classic would be awesome. Given the choice on a classic, I probably would go w/out, though. I would definitely go without a standard sunroof in a classic.

On my '06 BINI, however, I'm very happy with the sunroof and I use it--even though it's considerably more noisy than any other car I've had w/sunroofs. And yes, the damned mesh isn't opaque enough to filter out the high-noon summer sun so I wearing a cap while driving. Also, I have a MINI roof rack for carrying my bicycles and the glass roof allows me to look up and remember that I have bikes up there. Without the glass sunroof, it would be too easy for me (sometimes I'm forgetful) to bash my bikes into low clearances, like my garage!

 

I LOVE the Webasto roof. I run wide open as much as possible. Fully retractable, windows down, awesome!! They do still make the Webasto top and you can find them online.

http://www.webasto.us/press/en/am_au...roofs_789.html

Leaks are a concern, but, I don't drive in the rain and cover whenever not in use. I have two and wouldn't trade for hard top as the open feeling is awesome.

BUY IT!!