What are the pros and cons of the sunroof? Do they leak? Do they have a shade inside? Or do light always come through?

 

I ordered mine with no sunroof. Its just another place to leak wind, rain and noise. From what I've read, Mini's are quieter without it.

 

Personally I just think the sunroof is to big. If I order a Clubman S it will be sans sunroof for sure. I also agree with the wind, water noise issues. I also just think the solid roof makes it a stronger body.

 

I have one in my 04 and ordered one in my Clubman. I suppose the car would be quieter without one, but I couldn't say for sure. We've never had a leak. They do have a mesh shade, but it still lets a lot of light through. The pros for me are that I just enjoy a car with a moon roof.

 

Oh, and I don't have any weak body issues. The car is 4 years old, and it hasn't collapsed in on itself once.

 

I love the sunroof. 20 years ago leaks weren't that unusual.... but I've had sunroofs in all sorts of vehicles for years and never had a leak. I wouldn't have a car without one. I do wish MINI would have an opaque screen instead of the spring loaded fabric one they use.... but I have to say I rarely close it.

 

I have a sunroof in my Clubman S. Love it. I live in Sunny South FL and love cruising with the windows down and sun roof open. The shade lets to much light and heat in during the middle of the day so I tinted both of them with 5%.

 

Cant complain. Well, had one issue with vibrations- 2 tiny rubber bump stops on sunroof flaps to stop that. Opaque shade would be nice though. Will settle with tint for now.

There is another post where someone made a shade that rolls up in place of the mesh one (not sure where it is).

 

The sunroof is great, but is very bright. I live in Arizona, so its causing a bit of a problem--especially for the kids who can't escape the brightness.

 

I like the sunroof on my 2004 MCS.. no leaks .. no rattles.. however.. it really lets a lot of light come through. In sounthern California, sometimes, it gets really bad.. and you cannot get away from it.. some people i know have added an extra tint to it.. I am covering up part of it with a roof decal..

 

No sunroof here. The heat in Miami is brutal and the lack of a solid sunshade is a big no-no. The A/C works better without it and the window tints help significantly. The sunroof is another thing to break post-warranty and I can do without the rattles, added weight and expense. In cooler climates, the sunroof is fun, but here in the swap, no thanks.

 

Had one on my '04 - great for sight seeing in the big city. I found that the sun light bothered my eyes while driving even with sunglasses and the mesh screen. Felt as though I needed a sun visor or hat. Liked the openness but felt that for that amount of money I could put it towards something else MINI related or life related and see better, too. Never had any problems with leaks...but honestly did not use it much at all as a source of air except to let out the hot air from the long hot parking lot stays.

It's a very personal thing from likes and dislikes to the financial side of things, as well.

 

Thing about the sunroof is that the shade is NOT opaque. It's just a screen with a lotta holes in it. So when you close it you will STILL get sun in your car. Some folks don't care.... but if you're like my wife and hate the glare, then it's an issue. Also, if you wear glasses it can reflect off the edges of your frames and hit ya at the most un-opportune times. (Happened to me on my 1st test drive)

If it were just me and I had the money, I'd get one because I think it adds a bit of style to the overall look of the vehicle. But because I didn't get the premium package, I wasn't about to spend the extra money for something I really didn't need.

Also, don't you loose a bit of headroom?

 

I've got a sunroof on my '06. It definitely has its pros and cons...

Pros:
- Big, lets in lots of natural light
- Extends far enough forward that it's in your peripheral vision, unlike sunroofs in most cars, where you may as well not have it unless you look up.
- Gives the interior an open, airy feeling

Cons:
- The mesh screen is terrible, downright seizure inducing. I ordered sunroof shades that I use in the summer, and they block the light completely.
- Opening the sunroof is great...until you get over 35-40 mph. After that, the wind noise becomes very, very loud.
- I'm sure the extra weight = a fuel economy hit. Of course, so does my right foot! It's rare I get over 21 mpg.

 

you guys are really making me think that I don't need one

 

I love my sunroof. No leaks. Great open feeling, even when closed. Great ventilation. I have 5% tint on it and, with the shade closed, there's no sun problem. I also like the idea that I can have the sunroof open or tilted and still keep the shade closed.

 

We skipped the sunroof due to the heat and bright in AZ. Since the sunroof cover is not opaque the bright sun can be brutal. Test drove a Clubman with the sunroof and ordered without.

 

It's noisy, there is always light coming through, it's a source of squeeks, rattles, leaks and it's expensive.

And I wouldn't own a MINI without one. YMMV

 

I would not have gotten - I never use the one I have now and don't like the mesh shade concept, but my wife loves them so it went on the order. If the shade proves to be too bright, I'll go for tinting or aftermarket [SIZE=2]opaque shades.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]_____________________________________[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Mini Cooper S Clubman, SS/B, Premium, LL Black, Dark Grey, Brushed Alloy, Xenons, Rear Fog, White TS.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2](anxiously waiting produciton number)
[/SIZE]

 

If it's not a convertible... it has to have a sunroof. I like driving down the road standing up with the wind in my hair and tongue hanging out.

 

I think I've seen you!

 

I only get to do that when I can convince my dog to hold the wheel. Getting his head out of the window is usually the problem.

 

Now I'm sure it was you. I remember thinking, "Man that guy driving has a big nose."

 

Are you sure it was my NOSE?

 

No, it was the dog's.