I'm seriously considering a sunroof wind deflector. I had one on another car and for the most part I liked it. What I didn't like was the low frequency resonation that it caused. When I hit a certain speed, the whole interior would kinda shake. Other than that, it did quiet things down alot.

To anyone that has the deflector, does it cut down the noise enough? Any odd vibrating like I described? Seems like it's priced fairly reasonable.
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That's a vacuum buffeting very common to any sun-roof car - equalizing the air pressure inside the cabin will usually stop the resonation. On a 4 door, just cracking the rear windows a sliver will solve the problem, but on a 2 door, cracking the windows unfortunately puts wind noise right at your ear, and opening only one window usually creates a vortex.

Don't have my Mini yet, but I ordered the premium package a-la-carte just for the manual climate control. Manual climate allows free, speed-sensitive forced-air flow through the car (with fan off). Crossing my fingers, but I hope it's enough air flow to equalize the vacuum without having to cracking the windows.

 

I thought I wanted the MINI sunroof air deflector. On one of my annual 200 mile trips to my dealer I was prepared to buy one. When I saw what it looked like installed on some of the MINI's they had on their lot I decided against it. It looked like an ugly wart on the top of an otherwise beautiful car.

I do have one on the sunroof of my 98 Chevy Lumina, and it reduces the noise and wind buffeting a lot.

 

I agree. I think that the purpose of the wind deflector is valid & it may greatly improve sunroof enjoyment but the look of that 1/2 bubble thing on the roof ruins it for me plus would ruin the effect of any cool graphic you might wanna put up there.

 

Yeah...I guess I forgot to ask how it looks. The mini accessory brochure doesn't give a very good pic and I haven't seen one mounted. Anyone have any pics?

 

sort of a Venturi effect...

 

Ummmm... I may be wrong here but my 05 MCS has a wind deflector from the factory.
It pops up when the sunroof is opened.

 

Yep, so does my 03 MC. It pops up and does......absolutely nothing to reduce the noise or buffeting of having the sunroof open. I think it's a duncel, which I believe is a term for a device with no purpose.

 

You are correct...the '06 has that flap too. But it acts like a freakin' air brake with all the associated racket.

 

Hmmm. Junkers 88, MINI wind flap. Both German. Coincidence? I think not!

 

You can have a look in my gallery for some pics. I don't have any close ups but you can see the profile.

The deflector has a piece in the middle that you can tilt up or down and it helps to divert air into the car if you want when the sun roof is open. You can not really see it in the MINI accessory book so I was surprised when I saw it for the first time.

The wind deflector does a good job at keeping the noise down when the sun roof is open. I just wish it was a little more low profile, otherwise it works for me.

 

I have the same deflector as Laurie. I like the fact that you gan bring in more or less air with the middle piece.

 

I have had one since I bought my MINI. I truly do like it on a calm day the wind noise is hardly noticeable, but when it's windy it is rather loud. Check out my gallery.


Art

 

Thanks for the pics....I don't think it looks all that bad. Let's face it, it is meant to be functional.

I don't think it looks as bad as a bug deflector. I had one on my Wrangler. Not only did it look bad, the bugs laughed at it....right before they smashed into the window.

Anybody know if holes are drilled to install it?

 

I'm pretty sure no holes are required to be drilled.

 

No holes needed. It has a few clips that keep it in place.

 

Thanks. I just might get me one of those.

 

Got one one from the factory on my 06. Kind of a pop up. I would like to remove the darn thing. Anything over 45 mph and it sounds like a freight train.

 

any one have pictures of these on a white roof? I usually just close the sun roof and vent it, but thats not as much fun.

 

Take a drive in MINI with out a deflector. There is a difference.


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The two little flaps that pop-up when the roof is opened are not what is referred to. As far as I know those are completely stock, and it's kind of neat that they come with it. They do a great job until around 40-45. They kill that low-freq resonance that I used to get around 30 in my cavalier (reminds me of a helicoptor). After 40-45 they really lose their effectiveness though.

I'm seriously considering one of the OEM deflectors as well. I only want to have a chance to test a car with it, and then my wife and I will decide...

 

I had an OEM deflector on my MINI for about 6 months. Decided it didn't cut down on noise enough to negate the ugliness of it (IMO), and have since taken to opening the sunroof part way if I really want to help cut down on the noise.

 

Check draggonmann's gallery. He posted in this thread.

 

I checked his gallery. Great looking MINI except for the bad ugly sunroof wind deflector.