I'm about to order my MCS and am unsure weather to get the moonroof. I live in So Cal and have heard that the moonroof can make the car very hot inside. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mick

 

As are most things in life, it's a personal choice, but I didn't order it because of night time glare from overhead lights (city environment), and the inability to completely shut the roof from letting in any light. Unlike other sunroofs in other brands, the Cooper has a perforated screen - and it lets in light no matter what you do. I also didn't like it in the winter - I was concerned about scratching the roof if I tried to remove ice.

I also live in the South and the white top does a good job keeping heat out in the summer.

Despite all of that, you may like it. Take a test ride at different times of the day to check it out for yourself.

 

With out a doubt 100% no question I would not buy a mini with out it.

 

i like mine! I do plan on getting it tinted with the rest of the car, but i've not had heating problems, because I got it in October, and it hasnt been very warm yet..

 

I have never noticed any light coming through at night, and even in bright sunlight, the tint plus the sunscreen keep the heat off of you. Unless you are using a diamond encrusted icescraper, you're not going to scratch the glass. Better yet, just leave any ice on the sunroof alone. I always liked sunroofs because you have all the benefits of a convertible and few of the downsides.
But, as said, it really is a matter of personal preference.

 

With tint and sunscreen closed, I have not had any issues. Might stay a little cooler with a white solid roof - but my roof is black anyway.

 

Love the sun roof, I would not own a MINI without one.
Never had any problem with the heat.

 

It was the Panoramic Sunroof that convinced me to buy a MINI Coupe!

(From forty years worth of convertibles.)

I am located in South Florida, usually have it open and Air Conditioner still keeps cabin cool in summer.

I have not added to the factory tint and when the sun is in my eyes, the peforated screen is plenty.

Never a leak, noise or rattle, but only order it if you want it.

 

There is another thread somewhere here with an entirely different POV that convinced me not to get one.

The extra weight and it being on the top (the weight) increases the roll-over likelihood in an accident and besides the heat and glare it's one more thing to go wrong.

 

I agree that a sunroof introduces mechanical complexity, but the whole rollover thing is a non-issue. The MINI is a 2600-lb car, (more with the driver in it), so an extra 50-75 pounds up top isn't going to raise the center of mass more than an inch.

The odds of having an accident where the conditions are so perfect that the presence or absence or a sunroof is the difference between rolling over and not rolling over is essentially nil.

 

I've had two MINI's both with the moon/sun roof. I'll never be without one again. I love it.

Do it.


DO IT NAOOOUGHW!!!

 

I can count on one hand the total number of times I opened the sunroof in my last few cars over the last 10 years. So with that in mind I opted not to get the sunroof. Very happy. Especially with all the things on the forum about problems in heat with it. I also gain some headroom without the sun/moon roof. But don't let anything stop you from getting one if you want one. Seen plenty of ways to beat the heat coming in on the forum with tinting, custom shades etc.

 

I wouldn't be without one.

The best-rationalized reason to NOT get one (aside from just personal preference, don't like them, whatever) is that the weight is on top of the car, and if you plan to heavily track the car, it's not really where you want extra weight.

But in the CA sun I've had no problems with heat, I live in a city environment and glare is not a problem. For those who live in REALLY hot environments, you can pop a reflecting shade in there and the problem is solved, and you still get the option of the sunroof on nice days

And any ice scraper that is going to scratch glass would RUIN a painted roof... ...so that's a non-issue.

If you think you'd enjoy it and heat is your only concern, then don't be worried. If there are other concerns (glare, etc)...test drive one with and one without and see what you think. I personally find a solid roof a little claustrophobic.

 

I'm 6'2" and still have 3-4 inches of head room with the sunroof. The MINI is about 4 inches taller than my wife's Acura Legend.

 

I'm not certain why anyone would bother removing ice from the roof, anyway.

 

I have never understood why people want the sun beating down on them while they drive; and that frame intruding on their headroom. But if you like those features, go for it. I hear it's a plus for resale, too.

 

the best reason, as somebody mentioned earlier is the weight if you are going to track it....

If your all about autocross and performance, then opt out. I plan on racing mine, as do most, but thats not what i intended the car for

I wouldnt worry about light...i mean ya they should have made an opaque shade, but you can get one these days i think...or tint it 5% and then youll still have the ability to open the roof up/tilt to vent the car!

 

I have the best of both worlds in my CR Cooper.

On days when it's too hot (rarely), I close the sunroof, turn on the a/c, and not a speck of light gets through.

On days when it's nice out (lots of those kinds of days here), I have the sunroof and windows wide open and it's almost like driving the convertible. The sunroof on this car is HUGE.

Solution: Get the sunroof and cover the sunroof (or the entire roof, of course) in vinyl.

 

I smell another pro/con sunroof thread developing here

 

Well, since the OP is debating whether or not to get the moonroof, how could it be anything else? (Unless the "moonroof" is a separate option?)

 

If one loves the sun, a sunroof is a must have. When I was investigating what I wanted on my MINI I drove a MCS with sunroof on sunny hot day. I couldn't stand it, but I am not a like the sun on me kind of person. Too bad the design BMW/MINI did has no provision for blocking out the sun when it is not wanted.

I also planned to track my MINI & yes there is a bit of weight up high, but the real reason a sunroof is not great on a track driven car is the fact that having a large hole in the roof does nothing but weaken the car in a roll. No I don't plan to roll, but stuff happens.



My Miata has a huge sunroof, but it see's no track use.

 

I love the sunroof. If it's really hot out I put the seat up keeps the seat buttom covered and the sun off the steering wheel.

 

I got the sunroof because it was part of the premium package and it was cheaper to just get the package rather than pick all of the other bits in it except the sunroof. I had mine tinted to 20% but that still wasn't dark enough for me so I had it covered in white vinyl. During the day, it's kind of like a fluorescent light in an office but dimmer. As ScottRiqui said, the weight of it being up that high is a non-factor. Not having one might help a little in autocross but, IMHO, no one would be able to tell a measurable difference between a Mini with one and a Mini without one in autocross with their "butt dyno".

 

When ever i designed minis on the configurator, i never put one, but when my parents surprised me with Abby, I LOVE my sunroof. Especially in SoCal, you will enjoy it. You can tint the roof if light is an issue OR there are aftermarket inserts you just throw in there and it blocks all light and heat. Some people complain about the rattle, I say, turn up your stereo or go windows down!! I thoroughly enjoy my sunroof. Its great on cloudless nights too!

 

I love the sunroof. I don't open it much (Vancouver = wet) except for the summer, but the "airyness" is totally worth it. It does get fairly warm here in the summer (last summer, it hit 37°C), and it was alright. It probably does warm up a bit more with the sunroof, but the MINI's small so the AC can take care of the heat quickly. Or, you can hold down unlock and let the car "vent" all the hot air before you get in (hot air rises!). And while you're driving along, I like to tilt it and get some cool air coming in.

Also, there is NOTHING (short of a convertible) like the feeling of driving with that gigantic sunroof open on a clear warm summer night. I can't wait to take a star-gazing trip up to Osoyoos with this.