I have read lots and lots of "horror stories" about multiple attempts to fix sunroof issues. Have these attempts been successful? Is your sunroof now quiet? Has it become noisy again after getting repaired?

I just wonder if Mini knows what they are doing here. Are they simply "fixing" the problem with the same crappy parts that will just get noisy again? I also wonder what will happen after the warranty expires.
Will the dealerships want massive amounts of money to fix problems that is basically due to a poor design?

I have had mine in a couple of times for adjustments. The first time was due to excessive wind noise. They adjusted and it seemed to improved it. The last time was due to rattles in the back section. They adjusted again (fixed the rattle I think) but now it is very noisy again. Now they have a new seal on order that should be here next week... so I have to go back again.

I just wonder if this will be an ongoing issue or maybe they might get it right via redesigned parts and/or adjustments because Mini didn't get them set-up properly at the factory.

Just a rant... I have had lots of cars with sunroofs and really enjoy Motoring with the roof open when the weather is nice. Love the feeling but now wish I bought the solid roof minus the sunroof.

Sorry about the rant... just want to see what other owners have experienced and what you all think we might have to look forward to regarding these sunroofs.

BTW ---- this is really the only issue that I have had with my 2008 Mini! I love the car otherwise.

 

FWIW, the new seal is supposed to have a 'felt material' on it to reduce the noise - at least that's what they're telling us. Hopefully that'll solve your problems. Trust me, you're not the only one that is going back and forth to the dealership for the same issue

 

So do you think this seal is a new, improved design?

 

Short answer: probably not.

There's a fundamental problem here: giant, 2-piece, sliding sunroof, perched atop a stiffly-sprung car, hammering along on rock-hard runflat tires. This is a sure recipe for a noisy roof. The volume of complaints here, along with the fact that a sunroof isn't really practical here in the summertime, led me to save the bucks and leave it off my car.

I think that you just have to accept the fact that there will be noise and possibly other issues when opting for the sunroof. If you want a quiet roof, do without.

 

My lil guy's sunroof has been driving me crazy. What a great car, everything I hoped it would be, but the rattles from the sunroof was getting to me. Based on NAM threads, I decided to try a cheap fix before driving 125 miles to the nearest dealer that I trust. Went to Home Cheapo and purchased 3/8" window foam insulation for $2.25. Placed a strip along the front of the sunroof. It took about 1-1 1/2 mins. Took the lil guy on a test drive on the most bumbiest (not sure if that's a word) streets in town, and then drove about 20 miles on the interstate. Problem solved. Once again the lil guy made me smile.

 

Sunny is buried in about two feet of snow right now and haven't driven him in over a week but...I have not noticed any noise from my sunroof. Maybe I'm just lucky, have over 16k miles on him now.

 

Supposedly. Will it work? Who knows.

 

No sunroof noise with my 09 MCS, either.

 

Interesting... I wonder if there are similar "fixes" to help with wind noise as well.

 

Cool, maybe there is some hope after the new seal is installed?

 

mines got some minor wind noise.. no rattles or anything however... i dont really mind it much though

 

Mine isnt' wind noise - its more of a tone - a certain frequency that comes on at about 60 MPH. Not loud, but very annoying. Dealer cant hear it - like I'm a dog or something - I'm 53, so its not in that frequency that dies out and its not my tinitus, thats a different frequency.

 

X2...

Now, when I had my '08 MCS, I didn't have noise problems, I had useability problems. Many of the sunroofs were getting stuck and wouldn't open when it got hot.

I was pissed as hell....especially when someone would just say "oh, it's a quirk, live with it".

BS, I paid 30K for a gokart sized car, I expect the sunroof to work.

As far as windnoises, being in the bodyshop business and having people complain about sunroofs all the time, 99% of the time they need to be adjusted correctly.

Sunroofs are a PIA to adjust typically but Mini has made it pretty easy. There are adjustments for up, down and front and back. If you're having a wind noise issue, unless your seals are worn out (which I find highly unlikely on a second gen), it's probably a matter of adjusting the sunroof correctly.

For some reason, it seems many of the techs are inept when it comes to adjusting sunroofs but there is a service bulletin with exact measurements and directions on how to adjust.



On a side note Augie, I meant to tell you before, I love the DS on your car. For some reason, the way you have it set up, it really keeps that original "mini" look. I love your car.



Mark

 

Mark,

Thanks for the nice comment. My sig picture is a bit old and I have not updated. I actually made two additional changes recently. (will be my last) I will post them up on one of the picture threads like "post pictures of your R56"... I like the changes but hope it still keeps the "original MINI look".

 

unlike my 2005 MCS, where my cassette had to be replaced twice, my 09s moonroof has been no trouble at all, and quiet as a stealthy mouse.

 

As opposed to those damn noisy mouses....



Mark

 

Mine hasn't been too bad. There was the week or two that it wasn't opening but I can't really say it's ever been loud enough to bother me.

 

Thanks for the posts. Sounds like there is some hope then! I just need to get my new seal installed and get lucky and find a good MINI tech that knows how to adjust it then I might be all set..... well, at least until it comes out of adjustment again.... ha ha

 

The "rattle" described is the back rolling screen thing, not the sunroof. Don't let 'em tear into it for that. Just move the sunscreen slider deal a little. No biggie.

 

I just got my MINI 3 weeks ago and before I drove it away I had them fix the whistling noise coming from the sunroof. Well in the 3 weeks to follow that I have not noticed anything else. *knock on wood*

 

So since this thread is relatively fresh, I'll post up my most recent problem with my roof. When taking turns (sharply and quickly) I hear what sounds like a loose piece of metal or a screw that rolls back and forth. I inspected it and didn't find anything up there - any ideas?

 

It sounds like a screw is loose in the sunroof track. I'd take it to the dealer before it jams something.

 

I've had mine adjusted so many times cause they always mess something up after adjusting it... Mine is now down to a fine balance of sporadic rattling and wind noise. I can live with it for now, but I'm certainly not happy about it.

 

I just checked and my '10 MCS has the gasket with the felt. No rattle and no wind noise at all. I've clocked over 1200 miles at 70+ mph as well as some brutal back roads with massive frost heaves and ruts.

 

My sunroof is quiet.... at least I haven't noticed any noises, so far so good.... Though it does get stuck on really hot summer days, it just needs a little push to open though.