With so many MINI's having the sunroof i believe it will hurt re-sale value not to have it. Besides it is probably the only option that will retain the value of what it cost.

ok, all the dollars and sense aside. It might not be worth it to you but IMO it is better than a convertible. when you just want to let the hair blow and wind the car up on a curvy road their is nothing that adds to the fun more

 

I love my sunroof and would only consider not having one if I was building a track car and was so concerned with weight that I planned to remove other heavy things like air conditioning, stereo, interior trim, etc.

At my novice skill level on the track, the weight of a sunroof up there is not what is slowing me down. . .

 

On a 2003 S, www.kbb.com shows a difference of $300 more on the trade-in value with a sunroof compared to without.

The wife likes the sunrood, I couldn't care less, except the damn roof motor failed at 15k miles and now after the repair it rattles. :(

In fact, if I ordered a new car, I'd order without because it's just extra weight and a source of problems. But that's just me.

Get what you want. $300 is peanuts either way.

 

Keep in mind that the extra value when you sell, is off-set by the extra cost when you buy.

If the light and sky are worth extra weight up on top, future maintenance issues, and the potential for leaks and rattles, then get the sun roof. Lots of folks love them and think they're well worth it.

 

MARKETING 101:

I figure if someone wants a sunroof and your car doesn't have one, they won't buy your car!

But if they don't really want a sunroof, but they otherwise like my car, they'll probably buy my car with the sunroof anyway.

hs

 

Wow... big response. Some good points have been made, and yup, it's going to come down to your personnal decision based on the excellant points made previously. A brief summation seems to be:

Do you like sun?
How about fresh air?
Does it seem to make the cockpit larger for you... and is that an issue?
Weights probably not a realistic issue except for the 10/10's drivers.
There are probably more buyers for the sunroof, but you would find buyers nontheless.
Sunroof is noisy at speed, if open.
Less to go wrong without a sunroof.
Less solar heating.
may be a cleaner look in your eyes.

I've got the sunroof, my login name says it all. It was a 'must have' and a big sales point (among other great features) for the final decision on what to buy off the 'short list' of cars. I open it first thing and slide it closed to the 'vent' position as I push the throttle forward to cruise speed. The sensation, in my mind, is much like going to partial sweep on the wings of a fighter plane :^)

Tough choice... great car.

 

I was all hot and bothered to buy an "S" in the summer of 02 but then I noticed that none of the cars that were being prepped for delivery had sunroofs. What was the deal? I asked. Oh, they just got one in, was the sales response, and it was my color with my options plus racing stripes. She took me around back and my heart melted and I bought my first ever new car on the spot. I don't think I'll ever sell it.

The sunroof is big hit with my little kids who ride in the back and get to look out at the sky all the time (remember Vista-cruisers anyone?). I have to take some issue with the noise complaints as I enjoy it all the way up to cruising at 80. No squeaks or rattles when closed either.

In the SD area I notice many "S"s without s-roofs and don't think you'll substantially hurt re-sale. I agree with most advice here to get it the way you want it though. Good luck!

 

Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof! Sunroof!

But that's just my opinion.

The only way I'd get another MCS without the sunroof? Either a convertible (in which you still get a sunroof of sorts) or a dedicated track/race car. Otherwise, see above. :smile:

 

The "No Sunroof" no "Resale" crap is pure myth. If someone wants an used MINI with a sunroof, they will find one. Conversely, those who don't want/care about it will buy a MINI without.

The resale of separate accesories is not that impressive. After 3-4 years you can expect to get half or less than half of the value of the sunroof at resale time.

The sunroof may make the car "more appealing" to folks that have to have it, but it doesn't mean automatic "Higher resale" value.

If I I didn't spent the $850 for it, then how am I getting hurt by not having it in the first place?

The balloney here sometimes is quite amusing.

 

Hey. My sunroof is open whenever it's possible. Most MINIs I see in my area have them. I have only seen one recently without it. It may be my favorite option and I think I got just about all of them.

 

If you look at his initial question, it was not about resale value per se, it was about limiting the pool of buyers. If 80%(??) of MINI buyers want the sunroof, then it's not 'crap', its a consideration. Shouldn't be a major one, IMO, but MO doesn't matter if he cares.
It's not a personal affront to those who don't have/like/want the sunroof, it's just a fact - more people want them than not.

For me, I looked for several years, and indeed passed over several cars that were just about what I wanted, but didn't have the sunroof. For me it was a must-have.

 

Some people won't buy anything unless it's what they want, sunroof or no sunroof. So either position is valid and moot at the same time. At least with this car.

It's a matter of personal preference.

 

Our 02' had it...
Our 05' has it...
Love it...

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
05' Cool Blue MCSC "Ariel"
05' HB/W MCS

 

Thanks for all the helpful responses. I decided to leave it in. Not that I plan on selling it for a while, but it seems like the pool of potential buyers would be smaller if I didn't have the sunroof. Any who knows, I might enjoy it.