I've started looking for a first generation S and have some questions about the different sun roof, "moon roof", or "panoramic" options.

I live in a rural area so no dealer and very few cars to actually see in person. So I wanted to know how the sun roof on these cars operates. Is it just a pop-up panel, or an actual sliding panel that opens up? Or is it completely removable/stowable like some of the sports cars I had from the 60's?

It's not a big deal to me but my wife likes the idea of one. I just want to make sure it's an actual sun roof that opens and not just a "roof window" before I hold out for one.

Thanks in advance.

 

!st gen sunroof has the front sliding panel while the rear is fixed. It's not removable. On hotter days, when parked long under direct sunlight, cabin gets really hot as only 2 retractable screens serve as diffuser. IMO, sunroof is an option I can live w/o. It adds weight, prone to rattling & is another maintenance item. If drain spouts get dislodged or clogged, you'd have to deal w/ leaks. I've a sunroof I seldom use that I just covered w/ vinyl to deflect heat. Hope this helps.

 

In my opinion...a sunroof is s MUST have.....I've vowed never to buy another car without a sunroof.....so..it can get hot when parked in direct sunlight for a time but you take care of that by getting in the car and opening the roof right up and the windows and DRIVING it!...unless of course you are an AC freak! The car should always be driven with the sunroof wide open.....as regards their operation on first gen. There are 2 settings one where the back of the front panel opens up (tilting from the front..and the second where it slides back so that you can take advantage of the glorious open air...
Philip

 

Just to clarify, panoramic, sunroof, moonroof, etc, are all different descriptors for the same thing. First gen MINI's only have one kind of sunroof, as described by the above posters.

It does get hot in there, but you can buy an aftermarket ZippeeShade or tint it you still want one. I have 5% tint on mine, keeps out some of the heat but I can still open it when the mood strikes.

 

My 2006 has a glass roof. I like it.

If you hold the unlock button down the roof opens and the windows too and the car cools fairly fast.

You can park with the top cracked open and that helps a lot.

The newer sun/moon/panorama/ roof from 2007 on opens both the front and rear glass in the first position. That lets air circulate much better and I wish I had that on mine. Fully open the front slides over the back and the rear closes to clear it.

Cheers!

 

Hi, I have the 2008 base model of the Mini Cooper with the panoramic sun roof. My question is, how do you minimize the rattles and noise. The weather strip/rubber mounting still look fine. Would aligning or adjusting clearance be done easily as DIY? Thanks a lot. Mike.