I don't like how the minis have the netted sunblock thing for the roofs. I want one that will completely block out all the light. Is there an aftermarket part for this?

 

As of yet don't believe anyone has come up with something aftermarket that replaces the netting directly . You might do a search because I do remember someone trying to make their own replacement. Also some inovative person did come up with making a collapsible screen shade similar to the ones people use for the windshield.

 

I have always disliked the lack of a full sun shade for the huge sunroof in the mini. The car get extremely hot in the summer and so I have been looking for a solution. I have thought about sewing a black cloth on top of the current rollup mesh but I figured it wouldn't roll up cause it would be too thick. SO I am going to put a 15% tint on my sunroofs. There is a lot of debate over tinting sunroofs and you can do a seach but my local guy garrantees it won't crack the glass cause it is not tempered.:smile:

 

Another option is to cover it up from the outside with a vinyl decal. I use a static cling UJ flag on mine and it does a nice job cutting out the heat from the sun. Last year there was a group buy on some plain white static cling covers for this purpose, for those who didn't want a flag on top.

 

I have one of the static cling, all white vinyl shades- JerseyGirl organized the group buy. I believe it cost me $80 all told. I haven't used mine yet

 

Keeping you COOL
Other MINI owners have had success keeping things cooler inside by doing a limo tint to their sunroof glass. 5% tint is legal and while it is quite dark it does work well and is probably one of the least expensive and most durable options.

 

Thanks to NAM member "early_apex," here's a how-to:http://my.athenet.net/~mtr/mini/shade/

 

Nice How to-
I'll add it to the sticky we have over in performance mod forum
under other how to-
Thanks much and neat job.

 

I have a BRAND NEW, NEVER BEEN USED white, static-cling sunroof decal for sale. There are two decals for the 2 parts of the moonroof; instructions included. These will be solid white, removable, decal, still in the original shipping container. I bought this last year from JerseyGirl's Group Buy, but decided I don't need it.
$75 including postage.
Interested parties can PM me.

 

I posted this idea on MINI2 awhile back. I live in Arizona and it was warm today. I took the Mini into Prescott for some 4th O' July activities and parked it in the sun with the windows up for 4 hours. The car was not much warmer inside than outside when I returned. Certainly not terribly hot. Seats were cool. (But they are anyway) AC cooled it right down.

I bought a windshield sunscreen for a regular size car for $7. It is exactly 24" high for the regular size windshield. I cut it on the fold on one end for the front sunroof and a little shorter on the other end for the back, leaving the center section. It is very easy to install and remove. There is a good inch of space between the mesh and the glass. Piece of cake. Just fits. I've put it up at a stoplight while driving. With the shiny side up it reflects the sun out of the vehicle and works like the sunscreen on the windshield.

Here are Pix. 1. Inside with the mesh open, screen in place. 2. Outside, sunroof open, mesh closed, screen in place. 3. Sunscreens for front and back. I leave the rear one in all the time during the summer.
Hope this helps. It works great in sunny AZ.

Jim

 

Jersey girl's images show the great fit and foldaway properties of a great design by "the apex"...I did this (with a less colorful version) and my kids are grateful for the rear seat relief!

Leaving the front in also makes my dark tint look great!

 

I just posted a reply to another thread. I did the 'limo tint' to my sunroof and it does wonders at keeping the interior cool. I never need to block out the sunroof completely, and if I leave it in the vent position it abates heat build up while the car is parked. No problems, just solutions!

 

Be careful where you leave it open in the vent position. There was a horror story (I think on this site) of a prankster/vandal dumping a soft drink into a parked Mini through the open vent.

(Probably an annoyed H2 owner!)

 

Tinted.
Cheap and effective. (These Mini's get pretty expensive, be resourceful).

jerij

 

I have a full-roof graphic from Cooper Flags covering my sunroof. It is made from non-perforated vinyl and completely blocks the light. But I can still open the sunroof like normal. Not sure yet if it reduces the heat factor.

 

this is something worht looking into... thanks for the excellent write up.

 

Holy post resurection batman!!

2 years old and back from the dead!

 

har har

good timing for a tip. BEWARE of driving with the front shade in place with the roof cracked open. I now have to make my 3rd set since it gets sucked out at 50mph That or religiously remember to close your vent before driving off.

Velcro may be in my future...you don't have to hit me in the head more than five or six times

 

Another solution is a set from Stratmosphere, it sits between the roof and the factory net. Not real cheap but not too bad either, especially for those of us without those special sewing skills.

http://stratmosphere.com/mini_interior.htm

 

for that price have your Mom make some and then take her to dinner

plus the real benefit of the other design is the stowaway behind the seats with one handed operation

 

5% Limo Tint worked wonders in my MCS.

 

I bought a $5 set of those collapsable springy sunshades for windshields. The smallest size made fits in the big panel perfectly and with some clever adjustments you can stuff the other one in the back.

 

I made myself an opaque shade that stays in place permanently...can make the roof opque, or not, can use the mesh shade too, or not, basically invisible when not in use and does not prevent opening closing the glass

I have been trying to get it manufactured but I have been told it would be too 'spensive to produce..I have contacted BMW/MINI directly to see if there is interest there but I have yet to hear from them...anyone know of any small manufacturers that would like to manufacturer a specialty item for the relatively small MINI market?

 

Great job