Ok, I'm looking at MINIs....
Why does it seem that nearly 99% of MINIs have that blasted sunroof? I'm going to more than likely buy one anyway but that sunroof is a design flaw, imo.
1. it adds a heck of a lot of dead weight.
2. do you really enjoy piercing sunlight on your head? You can't block it out.
3. eventually, sunroof's become a rattling nuisance - as this is a sporty car so, it makes the most sense to leave it off the car.
4. it takes over the whole roof.
5. the sun shade? Oh, pulleezze. These are in other BMW's and I've never quite understood the appeal of the shade.

Alrighty, I'm done being snarky. I still like these MINI's hence, I'm wanting to buy one.

 

Dunno... I don't like it either which is why both of the ones I had/have were not afflicted with it.

 

Who cares if it has one, if you don't want one order one of the internet without one. If you are looking for used one you will just have to search harder. I don't have one but, I had no idea how uncommon they are.



Also on a side note your first post to a new forum should be hate on other peoples cars.

 

We've ordered all ours without sunroofs, for most of those reasons.

 

I'm just baffled by the sunroof. BMW designers perplex me. I'm wondering if they were influenced by the MBA designers, if you know what I mean. A sun roof is a way to add to the immense list of options. They also add plausibility factor for the owner to need future service.


Hey, now now...believe me I still love these little MINIs. I do I do.

 

Just to be contrary I must say that I truly enjoy my sunroof. I use it regularly through three seasons, and there's nothing like it on a nice night while cruising through the hills of western PA. I agree that it does add sprung weight, but I have nothing to compare that to. With a little lube from time to time I have yet to experience any problems. Wish my '75 had one!

 

I also love my sunroof and every passenger comments on how cool it is that such a small car squeezes two into its small roof. I've never had it rattle and I always have it open as long as its sunny (not a problem in SoCal) and above 55F.

I'd never, ever order a MINI without it unless it was a roadster!

 

5 reasons you MUST have a sunroof....
1. Gotta have a sun-roof!
2. Nothing like feeling the wind in you hair!
3. Had 3 MINI's all with sun-roofs (see number 1 above)
4. Same as #1 above
5. See #4 above.

 

I LOVE the sunroof design, I just had mine open today in cold Chicagoland. Keep the sunscreen closed and it lets just enough fresh air in, without letting out too much of the heat in the car. Way more comfortable than driving with the windows down. Also, not sure if its just me, but I feel less "contained" with that nice large panel of open glass over my head than i feel in cars without sunroofs. What I don't understand are people that get a sunroof, and leave the panel cover closed and never use it. The original owner had a bunch of warranty work done on the sunroof to replace a loose track wheel or something like that, and all the seals were replaced, and the sunroof reinstalled by hand, so I know that its likely going to be in perfect condition for a long time now.

 

Only "sunroof" design I ever liked is on my current Range Rover Evoque. It doesn't open so technically it's a moonroof. Expansive panaromic, front to back and when covered, it's seamless and non existent. Open it up and it makes the rear passengers feel like there's more room. Otherwise I've always passed on sunroofs.

 

I wouldn't pay for a sunroof if I was optioning out a new MINI, and I have mine tinted really dark (5%.) to help keep the cabin a little cooler in the summer. However, I do enjoy rolling all the windows down and opening the sunroof, blasting the stereo, and cruising along the ocean on a warm, sunny day.

I also agree with the above poster who mentioned it feels less closed in. I went from riding motorbikes to the MINI, and having some open air up there helped sway me on some level, I guess

 

Great tip! I'll have to try that out!

I also feel less cave-like with a sunroof.

That also bugs the buhjesus outta me. I have a boss with a stupid Audi Q5. The single redeeming feature that bore-mobile has is a huge sunroof that covers probably 85% of the interior roof. It's really awesome but he keeps the shade always closed.

I don't know. I don't see a single negative aspect to a sunroof other than the weight which is far off put by going for a spirited drive in the mountains on a nice, warm, sunny day with the windows and sunroof all open and the radio off.

 

Why wouldn't you want a sunroof if you're not planning on tracking your car? I almost always have mine wide open or cracked when it isn't raining, even on nights like tonight with it being about 35 degrees out. It makes the car feel bigger and airier and is a great way to let in just enough fresh air to not feel stuffy when the heat is on. I've got it tinted enough to keep the car cool and still let in sunlight and it's perfect for watching clouds or meteor showers. I would never consider a MINI without one; for me it is a must-have option.

 

I absolutely love my sunroof. My car is never tracked, so the added weight isn't a concern. The winter hasn't been harsh where I'm from either, so I've not stopped using the roof since I got my MCS in March! If lived far south, I would consider skipping the sunroof to avoid my MINI becoming an Easy-Bake.

 

Had mine open yesterday . 28 degree sunny day, seat heater on and heater on 76. I love it!

 

Glad I'm not the only one that does this!

 

I do agree with the fact that it is heavy and not very sporty when you are trying to go fast. Plus it takes out structural rigidity.

 

That's the way to motor!

 

A design flaw?

You obviously don't understand the term.....

It's an option, they put it in there because people buy them and they make money selling them. Where's the design flaw?

I also did not order one in my Clubby for many of the reasons you state, I don't like the heat gain, I don't like the noise especially on a crowded freeway and I didn't want to spend the extra money for something I wouldn't use. My wife OTOH hates that it doesn't have one, and has her Audi's sunroof open nearly any time she can.

Different strokes maybe, but hardly a design flaw.......

And isn't it wonderful how we all have a choice?

 

Sunroof is one of my favorite options on my MINI, even in as cold of weather as we've been getting in Philadelphia its nice to let the sunshine in on a sunny day. I laughed when I first saw the sunshade when I first got it but I have to say it works really well for me.

 

As the OP states 99% have sunroof's plus its an option so using your own statistics this suggests that the vast majority feel its both desirable and worth the incremental investment so I don't understand this rant at all. If you don't want it don't buy it - it's still kind of a free country - at least when it comes to sunroofs anyways. As for the 99% (no pun intended) we'll just be happy with our sunroof's.

 

I searched and searched, but the MINI website doesn't have a sunroof option on its Coupe configurator. Maybe that's their design flaw.

 

I have to agree with the OP on one issue. I'm not a fan of the sunroof, it's to small. That is why I got a convertible.

 

Every car I have owned in the last 20 years has had a sunroof except my Miata. In fact, if I couldnt get a sunroof in a car I would have to get a convertible again because once you are used to the open feeling in a car, I just couldnt go back to the dark solid roof.
In fact, the sunroof in the MINI, being a panoramic roof, is by far my favorite. I have it open every time its not raining. The only sunroof I don't really care for much is in my wife's 3 series- its way too small and noisy when open, but at least it lets some light in.
I also couldnt care less about some added weight in the roof. Its never slowed me down!

 

Sure they do its the R59 Roadster :-)