I know that this topic has come up before, but when looking through the forums, I could not find any conclusive answers to my questions.

I have a 2012 MINI Cooper S Countryman with the panoramic sunroof. Got the car back in December and love it so far. I live in Arizona where the summers can be brutal. I want to reduce the amount of light that comes through the sunroof. I already have the Zippe shade and that works fine, but I'm looking for something that will heavily reduce the amount of light without completely blocking out the view.

For anyone who has any of the perforated graphics, such as the checkered sunroof graphic, on a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being total darkness), how much does the graphic reduce the amount of light that comes through the glass? Also, how well has the graphic held up over the time you've had it installed?

A second question is, has anyone had extra tint installed on the sunroof and if so, what percentage tint did you get, how much does it reduce the amount of light that comes through the glass and have you had any problems?

Thanks.

Tony
Phoenix, AZ

 

I have a perforated Union Jack graphic on my sunroof. There's a photo in my gallery.

I had it made at Fastsigns, they charged $200, installed. They said it reduces the light by 25%. The colors haven't changed in the two years I've had it.

Fastsigns is a national chain, but each store is locally owned. They make the see through graphics for the sides of buses.

Dave

 

I have the OEM Mini Checkered graphic, not sure if that is the one you were talking about, and it is not perforated, just solid white squares. It helps a lot because the sun is no longer direct since the squares break it up. I have had it on since the first week of September and I am really glad that I got it.

I will say that I am very careful when I wash my car and always do it by hand , but I had one of the small corner pieces disappear after driving on the highway a few months after it was installed. Another square is peeling so I called the dealer and thankfully they have a 2 year warranty so it will be replaced this spring at no cost.

Here is a pic from the outside and from the inside so you can see what I'm talking about how it is just solid white squares.



From the inside the white squares look black.

 

I have the MINI Blackjack graphic on mine and along with having a layer of 5% tint put on it does a great job. Also the built in sunshade reduces the light too.

 

I've got limo tint (not sure what the % is) and it does a good job at keeping the interior cool while allowing a view outside. Had it done prior to pickup by the dealer, so I don't have anything to reference it to. I can say I never use the interior pull shades.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I called and spoke to the parts manager again and he corrected what he previously told me. The checkered sunroof graphic that they sell is not perforated, but solid. I suspect it will look like MSPRO's pictures. We even have the same color MINI.

I've ordered the graphic and will get it installed in a couple of weeks. With the warm/sunny weather fast approaching, hopefully the combination of the solid squares and the built-in screen will help keep the car relatively cool. Can't wait to get it done.

Thanks.

Tony
Phoenix, AZ

 

I would like to surprise my husband with a Union Jack Sunroof Graphic for his birthday.
Does anyone know the dimensions of the sunroof?

2009 Mini Cooper S