Ok, a bit out of left field maybe but... has anyone done a replacement of the glass roof on an R56? I just hate the thing, if I could replace it with a customer insert and remove the whole glass roof i'd be thrilled. Anyone done this?

 

I don't think that's a regular option, usually people have dark tint applied and get the shades that install to block the sun.

I for one ordered my car with out it because all I've read is how everyone says they suck. It was take it or leave but option to me.

 

I've bought sunshades (the kind you slide in the front windscreen) the two pieces slide neatly in and block most of the sun. But there is a lot of wind noise. I've looked around and I've never seen the entire glass roof replaced but i thought that maybe someone had done it.

 

Oh I see I never thought about the noise. Maybe have the headliner recovered to actually block off the sun roof all together and install some padding between that and the glass if you want it gone fully.

 

There's some discussion on NAM about this, and one solid attempt at a fiberglass solution, but nothing that looks promising. If you are ultra motivated and ultra funded, maybe you could have an aluminum version machined for you out of solid stock based on the original glass dimensions. Is this to block sun or reduce weight, or both? I bet a CNC router could do it...

 

I too hate my sunroof and wish the car did not have one. I have done two things to cut down the heat.

1st. I bought the regular windshield reflective shield from an autoparts store and cut it to fit up next the the inside glass. Once you pull the mini factory sunshade forward you cannot see the shade.
2nd. - I had a tint shop tint my sunroof with the new tint that actually reduces heat transfer.

Since I did these in stages, I think number 2 works great, its a little tacky but once you pull the factory shades forward, you never see it. It can cause a problem if you decide to crack the rear of the sunroof, because it could get suck out. I had this happen but then I used the part of the sunreflector that has the rubber sucson(?) cups so the rear part of the roof can be tilted up and the sunreflector stays attached.

The tint on the sunroof glass also reduces the heat but not like the reflective shade I made.

 

Replacement is easy... Just sell your car and buy one without the sunroof! Easy!

 

Different kind of replacement. The op wants the sunroof gone. So by replacement that means sealed or covered to never be used.

 

Bump + with a twist: I also am interested in replacing the sunroof but to A. Save weight and B. Get around the fact/assumption that some tracks frown on glass sunroofs. Can you replace the whole roof with an OEM factory non-sunroof roof? Has anyone custom fabricated aluminum pieces to replace the glass in the sunroof?

 

I'm not aware of any tracks that frown on sunroofs on cars.

You could replace the entire roof but the labor costs would be incredibly high not to mention a repaint of pretty much the entire car. You could remove the sunroof and build a block-off plate out of aluminum. Very common on other cars however I would HIGHLY recommend AGAINST it in the mini. The sunroof in these cars is just far too large to simply replace with a thin sheet of aluminum. You're removing the support structure of the roof when you remove the sunroof. The non-sunroof cars (should) have support beams across the roof to keep the roof from collapsing in a roll-over. If you're building a caged track car then sure remove the sunroof. If not then you're stuck with it.

By far and above the cheapest option is to sell the car and buy one without a sunroof. Good luck finding one

 

I was looking at the SCCA Road Race rules which appear pretty stringent. I'm double checking with the local track now, but it's starting to look like a bit of a false alarm.

More than happy to avoid that if I can

 

SCCA road racing/club racing is far different than track days. You're comparing mandatory cages and full blown wheel to wheel racing with 8/10ths driving around a track with point-bys and an instructor in the car. If you're just doing a SCCA PDX (track day) then you won't have much to worry about. Make sure your wheels are attached and nothing is falling off and you shouldn't have any troubles with tech inspection

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carbon-fiber...-/290575518410

just found this on ebay, and theres 5 available so we can all get one! :D

 

"ready to bolt in"

 

If they can't spell "Panel", then should you trust them?

(they spelled it "Panell")