I'll be ordering a chili red MCs in December in order for it to be a january build. REason for waiting is the LSd plain and simple. I've settled on just about all my options save for the sunroof. My main isue with it is there is no sun shade and in all my other cars that had sunroofs I generally kept the shade closed. I realize they can be tinted but that's just not the same. So any compelling arguments for me to get the sunroof? Other then that the spec is going to be
Chili Red/Black
Black stripes
Xenons and Fogs
Red cloth/leather
Harmon Kardon
MFSW
OBC
LSD
Mike

 

Not one. Forget the sunroof.

 

I have the sunroof and just love it. It is very large and when opened it gives a very nice open air feeling that you don't get with most roofs. It does have a perforated sunshade, which is perfectly fine. Some people complain about the heat, but I don't get it. I live in Atlanta and it usually stays mid-90's every day throughout the summer, and I have had no heat problems with the roof.


By the way, I can't figure out why no one has come out with a sunshade. Tons of silly cubby hole thingies are sold every day, but no one sells the one item that appears to be a constant complaint.

 

If you will be auto xing or taking the car to the track alot...NO.

If this is mainly a daily driver that may visit the track every once in a blue moon...YES. I love my sunroof. I love it for a variety of reasons. In the summer I can open the sunroof and windows and run my car sans AC and have all my power available without sweating. Moonlight driving in the summer is a real treat with the sunroof. I have my key programmed so that when I hold down the unlock button for 5 seconds the windows and sunroof open.

There are vendors that make those reflective type shades to fit right into the hole in the headliner.
http://www.stratmosphere.com/mini_interior.htm

 

Their prices are ridculous though. the same product for another car is $6.99.

Most people are just buying the standard shade and then just cutting it in half. It will look and function the same. Do some searches you'll find the link.

Anywho if money is no object and it isn't a track car then spring for the sun roof. People love it. I get tons of compliments and ohhhs and awwws...

 

Get the sunroof. Otherwise you can't do this:



Plus - if you have a big head and go to the track/autox you can open it up and not worry about wedging your helmet on the roof!

 

As pointed out above, only with the sunroof can you stand on the drivers seat with your head/upper body poking out in order to get above the heads of people and take the perfect scenic picture. I have used this feature on numerous occasions and have found the sunroof to be worth it solely for the quality of tourist-less photos it produces. :smile:

 

I've had the sunroof for two years and I love it. I live in San Diego and really don't understand all the complaints about the lack of a sunscreen. I love all the light thats let in, but its tinted just enough to keep me out of the sun. My kids love it as well (2 yrs & 4yrs) as they can look out the top at the clouds and the occaisional rain drop. You can crack the sunroof when parked in the sun to let heat out which is a big benefit for me and of course when its open along with the windows you're getting close to a drop-top experience without loss of structural integrity. Its win/win!

 

If you live in a very hot climate, the sunroof may not be a good idea. I did not order the sunroof in neither one of my MINIs and I don't miss it. Living in Florida, the weather here is too hot and humid to truly enjoy it IMO. Not having a solid sunshade was yet another reason why I didn't like it as I don't want to have my head scalp roasted under the sun.

It is a very personal choice. Contrary to popular belief, the MINI is a fun car with or without the sunroof. I just love the clean look and the solidity of the car. Not to mention how much more efficient my A/C is in the dead of the summer months.

 

My 04 MCS is the same color scheme as the one you are getting. It's an awesome color scheme! And my sunroof looks very cool with it! We love to open up the top in the evening on the drive home from work. It's beautiful! We never have a problem with heat or sunlight when it is closed, and we live in hot, sunny Northern California.
Go ahead, splurge!

 

I have never had a sunroof, and I wasn't going to get it in my 2004 MCS. My fiance talked me into it, and I am sooooo glad that he did!!! I love it, and I love how much light it lets in. I personally like the shade with holes in it! You are in NJ, I'm in Ohio. Neither one of us sees a lot of hot hot hot sun like in Phoenix or hotlanta.

I love to have it open, or cracked, and yes, people oooh and aaah at the size of it.

It's one of my favorite options.

 

I read your specs and wonder why you are waiting for the LSD and are willing to pay the over $1000 estimated price. Has someone told you that LSD will make a noticeable difference in daily driving? Are you going to put the money needed for suspension, wheel, and tire improvements to make the car competitive? MC/S's are in a category where a stock one is not really that competitive to the point where LSD will be worth it on the track. And it has little or no resale value. A nice sunroof will put a smile on your face every day, and helps when it comes time to sell it. The extra weight and high placement of that weight makes the car less stable on the track, however. It seems that unless you are going to make a commitment to racing, the LSD is just a bunch of initials, whereas the sunroof is an everyday benefit. its up to you. I can't see the sunroof in a street racer, and can't see the LSD in a daily driver.

 

Didn't much care for my sunroof. I developed both a rattle and a wind noise. Dealer could never seem to fix either. 1 vote against the Sunroof. Not worth the added hassle or weight, imo.

 

Joe,


Many people have touted the benefits of the LSD as a daily driver and how it has made the car nicer to drive in spiritedly around corners and winding roads. The LSD will be most likely in the $800 from the factory. This is significantly cheaper than the $2000 to go aftermarket.

I have also seen people on the track with the sunroofs equipped MCS blow the doors off of hardtop MCS's. 50 extra lbs has a lot less impact than driver skill.

 

I have to disagree slightly... The car doesn't have to be a true track car to benefit from an LSD. Those that plan to pursue the pulley and/or JCW option will absolutely benefit from the LSD. Also anyone intending to AutoX the MCS will wish they had one. The number one reason the MCS is not competitive on some AutoX tracks is due to the lack of an LSD.

I do agree that money spent on an LSD is lost. Don't expect to recoup the $800 plus dollars, unless you get lucky and sell it to someone that even knows what an LSD is.

Get the Sunroof!!! 50lbs means nothing unless your a hardcore AutoX'r. And if you are a hard core AutoX'r why are you driving a MINI? There are much better cars that cost a lot less money.

OK... fire! I have my flame suit on...

 

The sunroof is great. But it's a personal choice. If you hate the sun, don't get it. If you like open air motoring, it's a must.

Another angle to consider is resale. I'd think the sunroof would add value. As for performance, I don't think it makes all that much difference. Again, a personal preference, based on how hard core you are about weight reduction, racing, auto-x, etc.

 

I loved my sunroof. I used to always be in the 'sunroof & MFSW are essentials' camp. BUT, in speccing my replacement MINI I've been giving serious thought to NOT having the sunroof. I like the asthetic of the all white roof (but you, with a black roof, won't have to worry about that ) and the sunroof adds (correct me if I'm wrong) 30lbs. I always considered the sunroof to be essienntial - I've had them in every car so far.. but I'm really warming up to the idea of not having one. As others have said, its all personal decision

If you're interested in the top 10 reasons I loved my sunroof, I'd be happy to share

 

It does not sound like this car will ever get a JCW kit or a pulley, and lets face it - any car currently equipped with an LSD is owned by a racer, whose opinion on street driving is suspect. They tend to think everbody needs extra horsepower and trick stuff. 99.5% of all MC's out there do NOT have LSD and people can do nothing but rave about how much fun they are to drive. The notion that you NEED LSD or would get some major benefit on the street is unsupported by objective data. Considering I can find lots of people that will tell you that ATC or DSC are a waste does not mean it is true. I suppose some day we will see tests of LSD and Non LSD equipped cars driving to Wal Mart and comparing times or something. Until then just buy whatever makes you happy. But be warned, the name Timothy Leary is already taken for LSD equipped Mini's!

 

If you use your car as a race car don’t get a sunroof.
I live in a very sunny area, not so hot, but very sunny and I just love my sunroof.
Daily I drive with the roof open. On cool mornings or when I don’t want the wind, I close the glass, slide back the sun screen and see a view not noticed with a hard top. At night the sun screen is always slid back and the panoramic views are wonderful.
Extra weight does not matter to me becasue I don't race the car.

 

If you want the sunroof (i.e. if you envision yoruself using it, or have had one in a car before and used it/enjoyed it), then get it.

It's your choice. You shouldn't need someone to talk you into it or out of it...if you like the sunroof, go for it. I will be racing my MCS occasionally but 99% of its driving is done daily on the street. I have had lots of s/r cars, some non-s/r cars, and I find myself using it enough to be glad that I got a sunroof. Plus as dgszweda stated, learning how to drive the car at its limits will far exceed the weight savings of going with a solid roof.

Marty

 

So no one thinks the LSD might help in the winters of New Jersey?

 

The only downside to the sunroof is the extra 75 or so pounds that it adds to the car...

The LSD will be handy regardless of your plans - and especially in the snow.

 

This is my first sunroof and I absolutely love it! :smile: I also live in Phoenix where it gets hot in March and stays that way until mid-October. (today was cool at 98). I haven't noticed it being any hotter then any other car I've owned, if anything, it seems to cool down quicker because I can open the windows and sunroof and let the heat escape before I get in.

My vote - get the sunroof

TruMini

 

GET IT, MAN!

it's really cool to drop the seat back and watch the raindrops fall and puddle together.. (even neater when parked )

 

I wanted an enthusiast car & the best handling I could get. The sunroof wasn't in the equasion. ...A bunch of weight high up in the car, loss of ultimate stiffness & too much $$ for what it is.

I'd get a convertable if I wanted open air, to me a sunroof is going half way.

Also: many sunroofs eventually leak and its always a paranioa point for prospective buyers on a used car. Just my .02