I am sure there are many other motorers out there who like me love the ability to open the roof and let the air circulate but become rather annoyed with the heavy glass that works to cook the car when left in the sun. I am wondering if anyone has created fiberglass or carbon fiber replacement roof panels for the sunroof?

I think it would be great to have a nice dark roof yet be able to open it when I would like. Even making some sort of light weight acrilic replacements with a fiberglass cover so that you can still enjoy the panoramic roof and to keep the weight down.

Anyone? This would apply to all MINIs, both new and old. Also making a light weight track assembly to go along with it? I figure the panels would be easiest and most feasible from a cost standpoint. I almost wish there was a canvas top option like the classics. Full length canvas opening. That would be sweet and very low weight.

Thoughts please

 

It would be interesting to fab something up and replace the glass, but my main concern would be the vacuum and pressure created at high speeds and when closing the doors. I am sure it can be done, but it may not be worth the effort. Not a helpful $0.02 but it's mine. Good luck.

 

They made a canvas top for the R53 a few years ago in Germany, don't know if they contiued it for the newer models.............

 

Not as elegant as your design but

http://zippeegear.com/

-Will

 

Having had a '58 VW Beetle with a fabric sunroof I don't think I would want another one, plus they don't look all that swell when they are open.

 

there are a few people out there who have made their own sunroof caps out of fiberglass or carbon fiber so it's been done.

 

So, you do NOT want any light in when closed? or are you mainly concerned with the heat?

If you like the light at all, just get them 10% ceramic tinted. The sun is strong enough you still get light but it will cut down most of the heat.

A cheap win-win solution would be 20-30% tint plus the roll up sun reflectors made for the exact shape of the two glass sections. Not sure where I saw that though , M7 website?

You could also do a vinyl wrap on the glass from outside as a temporary test fix to see if you dig it or you could leave it. This also preserves resale value if it matters because not many people are going to dig your frankenroof like you will

 

No problem about pressure when closing doors. The window dipper takes care of that.

 

Along the lines of glass roof talk, can anyone point me to a thread or info on it's weight difference from solid metal roofs, i.e. no sunroof? searching "sunroof weight" brought up a lot of unrelated things.

 

Well if mine are slammed or the boot is closed the sunroof will flex, maybe not flap open but the dipper is just to keep it in the track at speeds I think. Most cars do have a one-way air pressure relief flapper thing so that the doors will close and not bounce back from air pressure buildup.

Similarly, lots of guys on the F-150 forum I was on would block off 1 of the 2 air pressure flappers in the cab of the truck because the AC would be really loud and inefficient if both were blocked off with sound deadening.

 

I dug up a bunch of threads related to the replacement of the sunroof.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-sunroof.html



https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-interest.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...y-sunroof.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...it-before.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...oof-panel.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...roof-plug.html


I personally use cardboard to block out the sun, then forget about the weight.