I seem to have more wind noise (when the sunroof is open) with my 2005 MCS than I did with my 2004 Mini. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

 

At least on the '04 MCS, you can remove the two plastic air diverters that swivel up into the airstream when you open the sunroof. On my '04 MCS, when I hold them down, air noise is reduced dramatically.

If you do that, more air will probably flow into the cabin than before, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I plan on removing the two diverters to make for a quieter open roof environment.

Cheers,
Dan

PS: Got my SWI-X installed last night! Steering wheel controls are back in action with my Pioneer AVIC-N1 head unit!

 

Thanks Dan for the tip. If that's the case, why have the diverters at all? What purpose do they serve? And how difficult is it to remove them (you are talking to someone who is severely "tool challenged."

 

My best guess is that without the air diverters, more air than most people would want will flow into the cabin. *shrug*

I haven't done it myself yet, but a MINI tech showed me how. It's extremely easy. There is a spring up there. You just press against it (compress it), and that frees the air diverter and you just lift it out. No tools. The MINI tech did it with his hands in about 3 seconds. As a matter of fact, I'll make that mod this morning in the garage on the way to work and try it out!

 

Let me know Dan. If it makes a difference, I will do the same. Thanks.

 

I just did it. To remove the air diverters, just fold them down flat towards the bonnet. Then slide towards the center of the MINI. At that point, the only thing holding them in is a spring, which you have to work at to disengage. But it takes a few seconds.

Look at the spring placement as you remove the diverter, so that when you put the diverter back in, you'll see how to do it.

I just went for a quick spin with the sunroof all the way open.

No more noise at the front. I can feel the wind much more around my head. I'm 6'2" with the seat lowered all the way. And now there's some wind noise at the back of the sunroof opening, but it's nowhere near what the noise used to be.

I didn't do a longer test, because it's snowing and the flakes were coming into the car pretty good.

 

those are there to stop the thump, thump, thump air pressure noise in the car at high speed with the windows up and sunroof open. go take a test drive with your windows closed on the freeway and let me know what you think. your eardrums will be killing you.

 

If you want to know what it is like without them - just hold them down for a few minutes while driving... no reason to use up time removing them to see what it's like. It is VERY loud in certain situations with them down or off.

 

Yup, I've done that at highway speeds and it never bothered me, which was why I was willing to remove them to give it a full-time trial. :smile:

 

I'm quite disappointed that MINI couldn't figure out a way to divert airflow without making it sound like a jet is flying over any time the sunroof is open.

I've tried holding down the flaps, and the concussion wasn't too bad. Kind of reminded me of the sound in my '74 Capri (my first sexy 'German' import.) Thanks for the info - I'll pull 'em out and see what I think. If nothing else, if concussion is an issue, I can dip a window - that would be better than always having the wind noise.

I've thought about trimming down a set to see if that would work. I love driving with the sunroof open, but in the MINI it's just too darn loud. The Miata is quieter with the top down!

 

Just install a wind deflector - $28.88 @ Advance Auto Parts Part # 720001, 32.5" long, fastens with 3M tape (easy on/off). Eliminates the roar at speed with sunroof open & windows closed.

 

Thanks. I'll have to check that out.

 

They have 3 listed -

Looks like the 77001 is the one you need - 32.5 inches. Price went up a little.

 

2 questions - how well does it stay on with the tape and how easy is it to remove if you don't like it? Thanks.

 

It'll stay on indefinitely with the 3M tape. You can remove it from the tape, then the tape from the roof without damage to your car. Just takes time and its a little bit of a PITA (tedious)

 

What about the dark plastic devices that you see on BMW's that stay on the ourside of the car when the top is closed? I had one on a 5 series that worked great. Sticks up a bit but looked fine? I see that they are available at numerous after market sites on the MINI.