I'm in the process of negotiating price on a Countryman but am not including the sunroof as a feature mainly because I don't need the sun beating down on my bald mellon in the heat of the Summer. One of the dealers I'm working with pointed out though that the sunroof helps resale value down the road and that I could have it heavily tinted, like in a limo, to block out most of the light/heat.

So two questions:

1. Has anyone out there done this and how has it gone? Was it effective and does it look good?

2. What does it cost to have the job done right?

The dealer suggested it could be done for only $65 but I have no idea if he's right of if $65 is a cheapie job that will turn purple in a few years.

 

Tinting has come a long way so as long as you go to a reputable installer you shouldn't have to worry about purple at all. Not sure if $65 is a cheapie job or not but it's probably a really easy install just to do the roof.

 

Here's a thought...Don't get a Sunroof.

 

Here's a thought . . . oh, never mind.

The CM sunroof has come up before. MINI has upped the tint on it to make it more protective of the occupants. There is also an add on shade available. Before you go the limo route, you may want to check one on a sunny day and see how it is. Aside from resale, it is nice to have the vent feature after a beer and burrito run.

 

Agreed, rapid ventilation of the vehicle is sometimes a necessity and nothing does it better than a sunroof.

As for inimini2007's thought that I not get a sunroof, that's currently the plan but the kids keep asking about it and the dealer makes a good point about resale value. I can ignore the kids or the dealer but it's difficult to ignore them both.

I will continue to ponder but my inclination is to stay with the current plan...no sunroof...preserve the bald dome!!

 

i know this sound ridiculous... but on really sunny days i tend to wear a hat.

go with the sun roof. it is huge and on starry cloudless nights you will not need to stick your head out to look up unless you are into that sort of thing.

 

The sunroof is a great place to put a fun graphic! A perforated one does a good job of keeping out light and you can still see out with it closed. Or go non-perforated to keep all the sun out but still be able to open it.

 

While we're on the subject of sunroofs (sunrooves?), does anyone have a picture from inside and outside of the CM with the sunroofs all the way open?

I haven't seen any pics of this, and I didn't check it during my test drive and the nearest dealer is an hour from me...

Thanks in advance!

 

I've hardly ever used the sun/moonroofs in all my cars. I, too was wary about it on the Countryman but I still ordered anyway primarily for the resale value. I plan on installing a dark tint or one of the UV/heat blocking films.

 

I am primarily concerned with noise. Those of you already in a Mini, what can you say about your experience with a sunroof in a R53 or R56. I too am trying to decide whether to check off the Premium Package box, or skip it and just order the H/K stereo upgrade by itself.

 

I really don't think that not having a sunroof will make that much of a difference in resale. I don't have one and wouldn't have bought one if it did have it. Sunroofs are a notorious place for problems to present themselves, particularly on a new model. They add weight, complexity and noise. Now, if you wanted one, I'd say go for it, but don't just buy it because the it may increase resale. Get what you want!

 

I've got one on my new CM. I originally didn't want one, but somehow it got snuck in there I'm sensitive to the bright sun, and thought that I'd need to do the tinting, but I'm now undecided. I could use it a little darker, but it's pretty dark already. The few times I've used it, it has been nice to have. It is a little loud to have it opened on the highway, but in the city I'm finding I really enjoy it.

As for the additional weight, I don't think it's a big deal. I mean who is going to track their CM? If performance is your #1 concern, you need to be looking at a JCW hardtop....

 

It would be nice too to have a driver activated lock on all the windows, sunroof and doors so after the burritos and beers you could treat your passengers to an eye watering Dutch Oven

Seriously, why not just open the sunroof, slide the screen forward and apply a black piece of vinyl to the top of the screen. Voila', Instant shade

 

Are you getting any freebies or discount yet? If not tell them you will
order it and you want them to put the tint or graphic on for free. I got
my windows (no sunroof) tinted for free, they used Johnson's film with a
lifetime warranty and it looks great.

 

Just called a tinting place the dealer recommended, and the price for "limo tinting" the sunroofs was $45

 

Only the front slides back: The wind deflector pops up.




Both lifts up:







With the sun shade:

 

Awesome!

Thanks for the quick reply!

I didn't realize only the front one opened all the way, but it makes sense.

 

Just my 2 cents... I was originally skeptical about the sunroof. I love sunroofs, but hated that there was no solid shade because my skin is sensitive to the sun. But with my 2011, the change (30% to 10%) in tinting was a huge improvement over the 2010. I wouldn't give up my sunroof! I do have roof stripes with a combined width of about 12.5", but even before those the sun didn't bother me very much in the 2011. Although in the 2010 I had to wear a hat a couple times on road trips because my head was getting hot!

 

The real benefit of dual pane sunroof in CM is reserved for someone other than driver and front passenger.

Have you sat in the back sit of CM with sunroof? During my last test drive, I had my friend drive it while I was sitting in the back. The open view and skylight that you can enjoy are rather awesome! I highly recommend it especially if you have kids!

 

I had an 02 mini with sunroof but it rattle like crazy ( the headline cover around the sunroof) So i did not get it for the wife's 05 mcs. I did get an bmw z4 which is way better then a sunroof. Hope this sunroof wont have the same problem.

 

I had two sunroofs on the R55 and R56 and my wife complained how burnt her head kept getting...we didn't get the sunroof on the CM and don't miss it...now I'm looking at doing something to the roof.

 

Awesome pics!

Please, more pics!

 

When I purchased my R56 the first thing I did was take it to the tint shop, do to genetics on my fathers side. I sport a very low haircut and that sun was burning a hole in my skull. So I had the sunroof tinted to just about limo and didnt have a issue after that. Now the Countryman has a 20% tint all around and I left the factory tint on the sunroof, Im going to wait until the weather breaks and see if the factory tint holds back that burning sun. So far Ive had not complaints. As for the kids my 2yr old loves looking up and watching whatever flys by.

 

How reliable has these big sunroofs been? As a BMW owner, I've heard lots of complaints about the panaramic sunroofs in various bimmer touring and SAVs.

 

Had no problem in my 05 R53. No leaks, no rattles.