a

 

the back portion doesn't open at all. it's just a moon roof. the front portion lifts up over the roof and moves back towards the antenna. much better then the conventional "slide into the roof" that we usually see.

 

The sunroof provides a great look on the stars when parked, and is a pleasure to have open when cruising around! It also looks great! I'm just afraid of it's mechanical parts to stop working... I haven't been too pleased with Panasonic!

 

Poor design for warm climates....both the front and rear have a mesh screen that closes under the moonroof, but it is worthless in warm climates...they should have used a solid inside cover to close under the sunroof....probably will update in the future along with other design flaws...also the chrome gearshift with the lack of a solid cover heats up to about 150 degrees, laugh...another oversight....and I realize cup holders in german cars are not that big a priority , but the cupholders in the mini are useless except as change holders...and how hard would it have been to include a small inside arm rest connected to the drivers seat that folds up and down...oh well....guess the biggest oversight in planning was using a Chrysler engine which BWM is already regretting, will be interesting to see how they get out of the contract or just eat it when they go to a better designed engine down the road....cheers!

 

I don't care what anyone says- I LOVE my panoramic sunroof. True it's my first sunroof, but it's just so awesome. With a black top you can't even see it unless you look for the seams. The people in the back seat get to enjoy the heavenly view too! During the day in the California heat I have the perforated screens closed but keep the front pane in the popped up position to let out heat- much better than keeping it all shut up. My windows are also tinted very dark, which helps a lot. It'll be easy to switch over to the solid screen cover when they come out with it. Having that enormous sunroof open and the windows cracked open a few inches is better than a convertible- nice breeze without ruining your hair or making you deaf. The noise doesn't bother me that much, not even at 80 on the freeway. The looks I see from people when they see that thing pop up and roll back over the roof- they're amazed how big it is. If you've ever wanted a sunroof, don't pass it up on your MINI.

 

Been following the posts on the sunfoof. Here in AZ I'm actually looking forward to my sunroof. Sure there are a few months out of the year it might be alittle uncomfortable, but in the winter it will be great! Besides if I can drive a 1960 Mini when its 114 degrees out a little heat from the sunfoof is nothing.

 

I am very pleased with the sunroof. Here in Ohio it has been real warm (a few 95 days) lots of sun and it is not hot at all. I also have no problems with the shift **** being too hot to handle. Do agree with the cup holders, but have found just using the back seat one is easy enough.

 

>>>Poor design for warm climates....both the front and rear have a mesh screen that closes under the moonroof, but it is worthless in warm climates...they should have used a solid inside cover to close under the sunroof....probably will update in the future along with other design flaws...also the chrome gearshift with the lack of a solid cover heats up to about 150 degrees, laugh...another oversight....and I realize cup holders in german cars are not that big a priority , but the cupholders in the mini are useless except as change holders...and how hard would it have been to include a small inside arm rest connected to the drivers seat that folds up and down...oh well....guess the biggest oversight in planning was using a Chrysler engine which BWM is already regretting, will be interesting to see how they get out of the contract or just eat it when they go to a better designed engine down the road....cheers!>>>



I borrowed a friend's MINI for a day. It was sunny and 96 degrees out. I had no problem with the sun roof. It lets plenty of light in. I love that it is panaramic. The sun screen did the job for me. My gearshifter never toasted my hand. The cupholders aren't American sized but, since they build MINIs for the rest of the world who don't care about super duper- wide mouth- drown yourself- big gulps it is understandable why they are smaller. I could care less about an inside armrest. My VR6 Jetta has one and it is kind of annoying. It isn't spacious and it gets in the way when you are doing speed shifting. I have no problems with the S engine at all and if I want to I can get John Cooper Works to crank it up to 200-210hp and have more speed than anyone should put in a car so small.

 

I borrowed a friend's MINI for a day.
Wow you've got great friends! Can I be their freind too?

 

What's up with the "Nolan" guy?? I've had my Mini S in sunny 95+ degrees florida for the past two weeks. No burning the hands on the gearshift and no burning seats as a result of the sunroof. I love the sunroof. I traded in my Miata for my MCS and I just love it!!! If your going to complain about the car why did you buy one and why are you on this site???

As far as the cup holders, they do work perfectly for cans. They just don't have to many "take away" windows in Europe.

 

>>The sunroof provides a great look on the stars when parked, and is a pleasure to have open when cruising around! It also looks great! I'm just afraid of it's mechanical parts to stop working... I haven't been too pleased with Panasonic!>>>>

Panasonic??? It's Panoramic!!!

 

I don't get it, Nolan. If you have nothing but bad things to say about the MINI, why do you spend so much time on this board posting comments????

 

>>I haven't been too pleased with Panasonic!

What does Panasonic have to do with the sunroof?

I would suspect the sunroof is made by one of two typical German sunroof manufacturers: Golde or Webasto, both of which make a fine product.

 

>>I borrowed a friend's MINI for a day.
Wow you've got great friends! Can I be their freind too?

 

quote
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What's up with the "Nolan" guy?? I've had my Mini S in sunny 95+ degrees florida for the past two weeks. No burning the hands on the gearshift and no burning seats as a result of the sunroof. I love the sunroof. I traded in my Miata for my MCS and I just love it!!! If your going to complain about the car why did you buy one and why are you on this site???
As far as the cup holders, they do work perfectly for cans. They just don't have to many "take away" windows in Europe.
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If I remember correctly, Nolan got rid of his MINI since he didn't like it and replaced it with an order for a new 2003 Z car. He's ripped the MINI on a couple of other threads. I have no idea why he is still on this site if he hates the car so much.

 

Ya, here's his basic posts... "I bought a MINI 3 years before the came out, and sold it a month after I had it. It has now power. Laugh. I'm buying a Z. It has more power."

And why he's wasting his time on a MINI message board, and not one for his new beloved car (which he hasn't drove yet either), I'll never know. He's on my psudo-ignore list...

Rocketboy_X

 

I think we all agree that Nolan, really has nothing better to do, then to mock the Mni. So just ignore him, who cares what he thinks, I know I don't. I love the MINI and I love the sun roof, and the chrome shifter and everything else it has. It's a great car, so don't let him upset you woth his pointless banter. This car isn't for everyone, just like the Z isn't for everyone. That's what makes this country so great, CHOICE!!

 

Free speech, free speech!! Maybe Nolan's just a little more sensitive to the sun than others...I know I've ridden in the backseat of an S in GA on a sunny day and I was REALLY hot...felt bad for sweating on someone else's yet-to-be-purchased blue-leather seats...but oh well! Yes, the air was on...oh, BTW, I ordered a sunroof anyway...heard a lot of people say they think it's fine and the solid-shade should be available soon.

Back to my point!! Nolan is entitled to his opinion...I just hope he's not out here to upset us in our MINI mania and ruin our highs. Mutual respect - the best thing we can do for each other!! :smile: :smile:

 

What's up with the "Nolan" guy?? I've had my Mini S in sunny 95+ degrees florida for the past two weeks. No burning the hands on the gearshift and no burning seats as a result of the sunroof.

Try parking it in 115 degree heat in Arizona, I finally had to buy a heat shield and customize it to fit between the sunroof and the mesh screen, laugh! I loved the mini, I just couldn't appreciate the chrysler S engine....it's a shame BMW couldn't have invested a little more to get a true sports car engine because the mini deserves so much more than a chrysler 4 banger...you can turbo it, but even at 163 hp, its still just a run about with tremendous potential...it's a shame the WRX is such a great performing car, but is so incredibly ugly or the new GTI coming out with 262 hp or most of the new sport compacts have given so much thought to peformance while mini neglected it.

Why do you think so many posts here are about how to modigy the engine, chip tuning, exhaust updates, air intake, tryin to get the S to 200hp....it's because the performance is so underwhelming and those that have it realize it....BMW realizes it, why do you tink they are already exploring engine upgrades in the future and dumpng their deal with Chrysler....

Don't be so defensive....no car is perfect right out of the gate..the mini will get better and better in the next decade....I might even buy another one at some point when they get the engine right...BTW...you can buy one now in Arizona with no wait and at MSRP...the hype is starting to wane here which is great for the true mini fan who now doesn't have to wait and won't get gouched by the dealer here at least....cheers!

BTW....was just an article in the Arizona paper about a couple who just bought a new mini....they own 23 original minis, that's right 23 and they have given them all a name...the funniest part of the article was the woman stating she was going to have to buy a mitten for the new mini in order to shift since the gearshift **** got so hot from the heat through the sunroof, laugh!

Cheers....enjoy your mini...

 

1. The sunroof is great. I live in a warm place. It's been close to 100 for weeks here. The interior cools off just fine. I know it's not the desert but for the 99% of us who don't live in a place no human was intended, it works great.

2. the shift ****. I guess some people are just 'sensitive'

3. the engine is not a Chrysler. It's a joint BMW Chrysler design. The reason BMW is looking into another engine is that Chrysler and Daimler Benz merged after BMW signed the contract and BMW is not happy about buying from its rival. The engine is great. Of course people want more power, it's natural. People will be modifying the engine on the new 350 Z as soon as they get their hands on it.

 

Hmmm... I just thought the shift **** had a "self-warming" feature!

 

___________________________________________
Try parking it in 115 degree heat in Arizona, I finally had to buy a heat shield and customize it to fit between the sunroof and the mesh screen, laugh! I loved the mini, I just couldn't appreciate the chrysler S engine....it's a shame BMW couldn't have invested a little more to get a true sports car engine because the mini deserves so much more than a chrysler 4 banger...you can turbo it, but even at 163 hp, its still just a run about with tremendous potential...it's a shame the WRX is such a great performing car, but is so incredibly ugly or the new GTI coming out with 262 hp or most of the new sport compacts have given so much thought to peformance while mini neglected it.

Why do you think so many posts here are about how to modigy the engine, chip tuning, exhaust updates, air intake, tryin to get the S to 200hp....it's because the performance is so underwhelming and those that have it realize it....BMW realizes it, why do you tink they are already exploring engine upgrades in the future and dumpng their deal with Chrysler....
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There is more to a car than raw 0 to 60 speed. There are things like style, character, personality, handling, ride and the overall combination of driving enjoyment and experience. The MINI has all of those in spades. It is not supposed to be a 1 dimensional 0-60 car and nothing else. You are missing the point of the MINI. I don't think people care about raw 0-60 times. If they did they wouldn't have bought a MINI. It is about driving the coolest looking car in the world and enjoying an incredible handling and fantastic driving experience. It seems the only person who constantly whines about the S' engine is you. So obviously it is not the car for you. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean everyone else doesn't love it. If all you want is 0 to 60 power, having a boring looking car that doesn't corner like a champ then go buy a Camaro, grow a mullet and leave MINI drivers alone.

 

I appreciate hearing everyone's views about the MINI good and bad (within the context of reasonable taste of course). It won't sway my decision to buy but might make me a more informed consumer. I'm glad this site provides such an open forum. Now, if only someone could help me to get my name moved to the top of the waiting list!

 

______________________________________________
I appreciate hearing everyone's views about the MINI good and bad (within the context of reasonable taste of course). It won't sway my decision to buy but might make me a more informed consumer. I'm glad this site provides such an open forum. Now, if only someone could help me to get my name moved to the top of the waiting list!
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I agree. It is nice to have a forum where everyone can post their views. I sort of lost my cool with my last post. That was my fault. Sorry. I have just grown tired of that guy's posts since they are all the same. No matter what the topic he gives the same post of "I sold my MINI, it is too underpowered, I'm getting a Z car, it is too underpowered, Chrysler engine sucks, it is too underpowered." Anyway, I do love hearing from everyone and about certain complaints or problems with the MINI from people who own the car and enjoy it depsite its faults.

_______________________________
2003 Cooper S Chili Red w/ white roof/mirrors/rims, sunroof & rally lights.

 

Play nice, everyone! Nolan was being honest and respectful - we should, too. He's right, the car is great, but maybe lacks some performance items that SOME people might miss...so let him (maybe her?) miss it. And yeah, AZ is pretty hot :smile: So, play nice!!!