A lot of people complain about the shade on the MINI sunroof, since it lets through so much light. Why didn't they put in a solid shade?

Now that it's hot enough to have the sunroof open all of the time, I've had a sunroof epiphany about this question. The shade is designed the way it is so you can have the sunroof open and the shade closed at the same time. If you don't want direct sun on your head, but you still want fresh air and an open feeling, you can open up the roof and pull the shade closed to cut down the direct sunlight. Duh!

Does anybody else do this?

I've gone from thinking the MINI sunroof shade was a poor design to thinking it was a really smart idea. I definitely prefer the perforated shade to a solid one.

 

I guess it depends on where you live. Down here in S. FL...there was no way in hell i was gonna get the sunroof...its just too hot here.

 

I posted this last year. During a trip to Reno on a 90 degree plus day and coming out to a toasty MCS, I decided to try to remedy the problem of not having a solid sunroof shade on a hot day. I got a windshield shade and cheap scissors at Pepboys for about $10 and cut the screen to fit the two sunroof openings and fitted the shade between the sunroof and the pull out sunscreen. I actually keep them in most of the time during hot weather except with I remove them when I want the sunroof open. They fit nicely behind the drivers seat when not in use. It makes a huge difference in the temperature in the car on hot sunny days.

 

I had the sunroof tinted with 20% tint and it works great. I'm in So CA.

Earl

 

>>I guess it depends on where you live. Down here in S. FL...there was no way in hell i was gonna get the sunroof...its just too hot here.


I sincerely doubt it is any hotter in S. Fl. that it gets here in Northern California. Last year we hit 120 degrees in July. I have no problem with the sunroof at all. It is nice to crack it open when you start up and get the AC going. I have never noticed the sun being too hot coming in with the shade closed.

 

This is how I dealt with the sunshade problem.

 

I always motor with the screen pulled and the sunroof open. I have had several cars with sunroofs (both pop-ups and sliding) and convertibles. The MINI has the best of both worlds PLUS it keeps out the bugs! The summers where I live are sweltering (heat and humidity combined) but the cabin takes only a few minutes to cool off with the great air conditioning system. I do not understand those that insist it is too hot with an "open" sunroof - unless they have had a poorly designed car in the past.

 

truckeecollins, 10851CS, and early_apex - - Excellent ideas!

I’ve done a little driving with the sunroof open and the shade closed, but there was a lot of buffeting and I think that it would probably lead to fraying or a premature failure of the shade.

 

>>I sincerely doubt it is any hotter in S. Fl. that it gets here in Northern California. Last year we hit 120 degrees in July.

Florida has 100% humidity while it is close to 100 F; much more uncomfortable than 120 F with low humidity (i.e. northern Calif in mid summer). Also, Florida is consistently hot and humid during the summer; hot spells are far rarer in northern Calif or Oregon, where I moved from Tampa.

 

>>I’ve done a little driving with the sunroof open and the shade closed, but there was a lot of buffeting and I think that it would probably lead to fraying or a premature failure of the shade.

I have been driving with the sunroof open and shade closed now for awhile. I was worried about premature failure at first but have had no problems and am no longer worried about it. I agree with "ylwjkt" the A/C is awesome (quirky) but awesome. I can keep the car cool even with the roof open and the windows open. I know not very energy conserving.

early_apex what an awesome idea. Someone needs to make and market these for those of us that are less qualified!

 

>>early_apex what an awesome idea. Someone needs to make and market these for those of us that are less qualified!

I'm glad I've for the sunroof. It's especially nice for us sun deprived northerners in staving off seasonal affective disorder with so little light. But there are times I'd prefer no light coming through.

 

>>>>early_apex what an awesome idea. Someone needs to make and market these for those of us that are less qualified!
>>
>>I'm glad I've for the sunroof. It's especially nice for us sun deprived northerners in staving off seasonal affective disorder with so little light. But there are times I'd prefer no light coming through.

early_apex, are you taking orders yet? Now, it's time to elevate your NAM status to vendor.

 

>>>>I sincerely doubt it is any hotter in S. Fl. that it gets here in Northern California. Last year we hit 120 degrees in July.
>>
>>Florida has 100% humidity while it is close to 100 F; much more uncomfortable than 120 F with low humidity (i.e. northern Calif in mid summer). Also, Florida is consistently hot and humid during the summer; hot spells are far rarer in northern Calif or Oregon, where I moved from Tampa.

Hot spells are far from rare in Northern California. Try a summer with an average of 105 degrees from june- end of august. Maybe you are thinking the mountains or bay area. I am in the norther Sacramento Valley.

 

>>>>>>early_apex what an awesome idea. Someone needs to make and market these for those of us that are less qualified!

Excellent shade design you have there. And the fabric looks rather "Hawaiian" or tropical at least.
Got matching seat covers with the same design?



countrym,

Yes I have driven a MINI with the sunroof open and shade closed like you suggested. It works well at lower speeds and if there is no rain but it does block the view out which is why I opened the sunroof. If I wanted only air I'd lower the windows.

_________________
Aloha Hawaii

 

Try one of the sunroof covers from http://www.cooperflags.com It reduces the "hot box" effect and looks cool too.................mgg

 

early_apex - -
When you go into production I want to be on your customer list!

 

>>Does anybody else do this?

Almost every single day!

My ritual is to get in the car, open the sunroof/windows to vent warm air a minute... close them all up... crank on the A/C for about 2-5 minutes on high, recirculated to cool things off. Then, you just open the sunroof and leave the shade pulled!

The beauty of this is two-fold. First, it gives you the nice opened sunroofy feeling without letting in quite as much outside "hot" air (nice and cool). Second, I don't know about you folks... but my sunglasses don't cover the top of my eyes very well. At around noon or 1pm it is BRUTAL and the shade is the PERFECT remedy.

 

I do this but I have oen percation.. I used to open the shade when when the sunroof is open by pushign the button adn lettign it retract on its on, it a hard smakc that is someohow refreshign to here :smile: however, I did this with the sunroof open one time and the wind caught took it off track and wacked me in the head.. I had to pull over and replace it.. easy engouh but scared teh hell otu of me,.. deffintly somethign you don't want to happen to you whiel driving.. so in the future if you openign the shade with teh sunroof open , then please guide teh shade all teh way back.. happy motoring.!
:smile:

 

>>Excellent shade design you have there. And the fabric looks rather "Hawaiian" or tropical at least.
>>Got matching seat covers with the same design?

Yes, you can get matching seat covers

I could make a few sets of these if people wanted them. Please keep in mind that my sewing isn't the greatest. I can make it so they won't fall apart, but am still learning how to work the machine. It's black thread on black fabric so the imperfections aren't very obvious.

The shades come in red and blue "Hawaiian", a few animal prints, and solids (red, blue, black, silver, etc).

They would be $20 for one panel, or $30 for both. I should be able to include shipping at that price. PM me with the color/pattern you'd like.

Mike
_________________

 

Many thanks for doing this! My order is on the way.

 

The real difference about S FL is the sun's STRENGTH. The difference in lattitude makes for a more powerful sunshine that drops more energy on your head through the sunroof. If you are from anywhere else, I challenge you to come to S FL and spend the same amount of time you normally would in the sun here, with the same sunblock. You would FRY.

I think that's the diff regarding N CA and S FL.

PS: I use the "mesh" sunroof thing 100% of the time, except at night here. The sun is too strong on your head if you don't.


>>>>>>I sincerely doubt it is any hotter in S. Fl. that it gets here in Northern California. Last year we hit 120 degrees in July.
>>>>
>>>>Florida has 100% humidity while it is close to 100 F; much more uncomfortable than 120 F with low humidity (i.e. northern Calif in mid summer). Also, Florida is consistently hot and humid during the summer; hot spells are far rarer in northern Calif or Oregon, where I moved from Tampa.
>>
>>Hot spells are far from rare in Northern California. Try a summer with an average of 105 degrees from june- end of august. Maybe you are thinking the mountains or bay area. I am in the norther Sacramento Valley.

 

We've recently developed a Sunroof Shade that will stay attached to your sunroof while it is open. Here are a few pics:

 

This may be a nice product but you overdid it with resurrecting all these old threads to advertise, IMHO.

 

In retrospect I think you are right... I was scanning through looking for relevant content and didn't pay any attention to the dates when posted. Thanks for brining that to my attention.