Every now and then when I am driving, the sun shines directly in my eyes through the mesh sunroof shade. Very dangerous and annoying! Has anyone come up with a solution to this problem?

 

Start looking forward and not up!

Sorry, I haven't heard of any solid sun shades but I also haven't had any problems with the sun in my eye's through the mesh shade. I have been very supprised at how well it blocks the sun.

 

why not just tint the glass very dark?

 

Another common solution is to get a sunroof graphic that attaches to the outside of the glass. Cooper Flags (a NAM sponsor) has them in a variety of designs, including black or white. Some other vendors make them too.

 

>>Every now and then when I am driving, the sun shines directly in my eyes through the mesh sunroof shade. Very dangerous and annoying! Has anyone come up with a solution to this problem?

Wear a hat!

 

>>Every now and then when I am driving, the sun shines directly in my eyes through the mesh sunroof shade. Very dangerous and annoying! Has anyone come up with a solution to this problem?

this was the exact reason why i did not purchase the sunroof

 

It seems like it would be easy enough for someone handy with cutting/sewing cloth (maybe JerseyGirl?) to make up a solid cloth replacement for the mesh. I'd be interested in a set.

 

You must be at a lower latitude. Up here in New England, I don't even think this would be possible unless you put the seat all the way back, at the highest setting, and angled the backrest back significantly, thereby putting some of the sunroof in your forward view.

 

>>Every now and then when I am driving, the sun shines directly in my eyes through the mesh sunroof shade. Very dangerous and annoying! Has anyone come up with a solution to this problem?

Given the number of people (excluding me who thinks this is a non-issue) who have complained about the mesh sunshade, it seems like a solid sunshade would be a great product for one of the aftermarket companies to make. Unlike a multi-plane batwing, this is a product that people would actually want.

 

>>You must be at a lower latitude. Up here in New England, I don't even think this would be possible unless you put the seat all the way back, at the highest setting, and angled the backrest back significantly, thereby putting some of the sunroof in your forward view.


Sunny California.

 

I think I solved this problem, check it out:

It's based on a window sunshade. Same material, and folds up good and small, just sized to fit a MINI sunroof. Folded, it fits in the net ehind the seats. It fits right above the pullout shade, and expands into the space well enough that it doesn't bump around or anything. You can close the rollout shade right over it.

I just threw this one together to see if it would work, but I plan to make a better one, and another that matches for the rear.

Andy, if you're interested I could probably make a set for ya.

 

Nice shade but doesn't that defeat the purpose of the sunroof in the first place?
I'd go for a really dark tint that would cut out the glare and help to prevent the sun from overheating the interior of the MINI and from burning your head.

Each owner can decide if they want to have a completely closed roof for max protection or open it up for maximum view-knowing that the sunshade is only partial.

I would agree that the vinyl graphic on the sunroof would also cut down on the light coming in but it is less permanent.

The time when an insertable shade would be best is if there were multiple drivers of the MINI and one really liked the sunroof as is and the other didn't. One could drive with the full shade and the other without- everyone is then happy.

 

I did the 50% tint on mine. I like it.

Earl

 

early_apex has a great idea. Easy to use, easy to store. Someday I'ld like to see a second sliding shade that provides total shade never know when you might want all that privacy from the morals police flying in the helicopters. I'ld hate being caught from above while having a religious experience in the privacy of my MINI.

 

>>I think I solved this problem, check it out:
>>
>>It's based on a window sunshade. Same material, and folds up good and small, just sized to fit a MINI sunroof. Folded, it fits in the net ehind the seats. It fits right above the pullout shade, and expands into the space well enough that it doesn't bump around or anything. You can close the rollout shade right over it.
>>
>>I just threw this one together to see if it would work, but I plan to make a better one, and another that matches for the rear.
>>
>>Andy, if you're interested I could probably make a set for ya.

Hey, that's really neat! Let me know if you get serious about making more!

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

 

>>Nice shade but doesn't that defeat the purpose of the sunroof in the first place?

Well, it goes in and out really easy, so I'll only have to put it in when I need it. I think it will be nice to have in the rear when the kids get cranky about the sun coming in through the roof.

Rob, I'm sure I can hook you up. I just need to find more fabric. Maybe I can find some cool colors...

 

>>It seems like it would be easy enough for someone handy with cutting/sewing cloth (maybe JerseyGirl?) to make up a solid cloth replacement for the mesh. I'd be interested in a set.

That's a very interesting idea. My only question is does anyone know how to get the existing shade out so you could mount a new one in it's place??? I'd definitely be up for doing it if it could be done properly.

The sun shade could become another personalized part of the MINI. Loads of possibilities for colors or designs. Hmmm...

 

Any movement on replaceing the mesh? Lots of interest it seems to have a permanant solution vice a temp one. Anyone?


Boy my wife is going to be mad when I'm done working so much, I'll have nothing to do but disassemble my MINI!

 

How about this?

http://www.stratmosphere.com/mini_interior.htm

 

this is nice but i certainly wouldn't spent $50 on a set... last year i stopped by costco, bought a large size front windshield sun protector and used a pair of scissors to cut it to size (there was enough to make shades for the front and back). now when the sun's beating down in the summer i stick them between the glass and net with the shiny side up (nice black side down) and viola. works like a charm. plus, they still fold when i want to stick'em behind the seat and open the roof.

 

I've seen all the temporary fixes but I was hoping after all these years some one would have a permanant fix. There's alot of owners out there w/ good ideas that get tossed out because they don't have the time or resources to make them reality but I know there are lots of people w/ the time and resource who could pick up these ideas and run w/ them. Someday I guess.

 

--Would it be possible to adhere a thin piece of cloth to the outside of the shade? Something semi-reflective and thin like the window shades mentioned earlier in the post would be an ideal material. Make it adhesive on one side and stick it to the part of the roll up shade that faces the sunroof. That way it would look stock on the interior and it would still be able to roll up without any trouble.

Any takers for trying this? I would but my Mini is still in England.

--pyratio

 

I love this idea! I'd purchase one! Let me know.
I also have a problem with the sun in my eyes. I have tried different seat positions and I have resorted to wearing a hat in the car. It is something that only bothers me at certain hours when the light shines through at the right angle. At other times I love the sunroof.

 

My concern with an adhesive is that the adhesive would collect dust where applied where no material was (ie, in the holes in the current shade. I've been playing with another idea, think it's possible, but am not about to disassemble my own MINI...

John

 

This is without a doubt the best $50 I have spent on my MINI. (Auto up windows are a close second).

I drove home from a wedding yesterday in temps as high as 96 degrees, with another person in the car, and I was able to have the AC on level 2 and not recirculating, and it still kept up!

Without the shades, I would have to have it on level 3 or 4 and recirculating, and it still would never really cool the car down.

We shouldn't have to spend money to fix this problem, but if you're like me and you got the short end of the stick with your car's AC system (some are fine), I highly recommend this product.

(and yes, I know, I could go to Costco or wherever and buy one to cut down with scissors, and blah blah blah. This is worth the $50 to me to have a nicely finished product that looks like it was made for the car, because it was).