I purchased my MINI with the cool sunroof option. However, I have noticed many MINIs without the sunroof, and am interested in why some MINI owners dispensed with such a cool option. Personally, I think the sunroof is one of the most worthwhile options because it is distinctively large and lets in to the passenger compartment a large volume of light.

I wondering how everyone feels about the sunroof.

 

Roof stickers arent put on stock MINIs with sunroofs.

 

One more thing... bumpy roads tend to make the sunroof rattle a bit at the front, mine does this. For some, it could be a real annoyance. Im not sure if the dealers can adjust it so the rattle goes away or not, but suspect that they could. I just tune it out with the engine

 

The sunroof's heavy (a concern if you're autocrossing) and it raises the cost of the car by about a grand. Some people in very sunny climates don't want to have all of the light/heat that the sunroof allows (there's no solid cover to the sunroof opening).

But I have one, and love it!

 

I have a sunroof, and LOVE it. I didn't get a Suby WRX becasue you can't get a sunroof option on it (and the MINI is cooler). That said, the Sunroof and its mechanicals are HEAVY. So out and out performance freaks should opt out. Also, serious sun-o-phobes should stay away as there is currently no way to keep all the sun OUT.

MY $.02

 

I got the car just as my "little toy" with the idea of Auto Xing and getting some track mile on it.
The little I know about race cars and specialy with modern technology is that the car is a whole structure it self, and if you open a hole in the roof you probably will loose some rigidity overall, probably will not be noticed in regular street driving but it will noticed on high demanding situations.
That was my reason for not taking that option... just pure racing instinct

 

I had a difficult time deciding if I would order a sunroof. I changed my mind at least a dozen times. I felt the roof may add too much weight (about 60lbs. I hear) as well as cost (I really wanted the optional wheels and other goodies). Also the potential for leaks (allthough I have never had leaks in a FACTORY sun roof). In the end I could not pass it up. The MINI seems a bit claustrophobic without, and motoring with the LARGE top open is great, even in winter. I am glad I chose the sunroof. It may not be the way to go for hardcore competition but if I have weight concerns, I will just have to eat less when I compete in auto-x.

 

The sunroof is my most favorite feature on my mini, i have had the car two months it has NEVER rattled.

 

>>I got the car just as my "little toy" with the idea of Auto Xing and getting some track mile on it.

I like your idea of a "little toy," Julian. Nice to have the bling bling.

Peace.

-Otto

 

>>I had a difficult time deciding if I would order a sunroof. I changed my mind at least a dozen times. I felt the roof may add too much weight (about 60lbs. I hear).

Me, too, so I decided to shed 60 lbs. to compensate for the sunroof's weight. End of dilemma.


-Otto

P.S. Minifinn, I thought you stored your Mini in the winter. Temptation get the better of you?

 

>>The sunroof's heavy . Some people in very sunny climates don't want to have all of the light/heat that the sunroof allows (there's no solid cover to the sunroof opening).
>>

Those are the exact reasons we opted NOT to have a sunroof. Kinda ironic that livin' in Hawaii you'd think everyone would have sunroofs and convertibles(only tourists)
The three MINIs I test drove had sunroofs and the bright sun and heat was annoying, even with the screen ( I know, life's rough,...please don't throw snowballs at me) One last thing, MINIhune will also be doing auto-x duties.

 

>>I felt the roof may add too much weight (about 60lbs. I hear).

Does anyone REALLY know what the added weight of the sunroof is? I've heard both 30 and 60, neither stated with much credibility that I can recall.

The sunroof is by far my favorite option as well. I've never seen another car with one like it. Just like BMW capitalized MINI for emphasis, I think they should call this sunroof a SUNROOF.

_________________
2003 Red/White Cooper - Brookline, MA

 

>>Those are the exact reasons we opted NOT to have a sunroof. Kinda ironic that livin' in Hawaii you'd think everyone would have sunroofs and convertibles(only tourists)
>>The three MINIs I test drove had sunroofs and the bright sun and heat was annoying, even with the screen ( I know, life's rough,...please don't throw snowballs at me)

 

>>
>>I noticed that when I visited. You could easily point out all the tourists. Oh well, I rented a conv anyway. Your islands rock, and evryone I visited was awsome.
>>
>>Frank
>>

 

LOVE IT!

 

We love the sunroof.

 

The sunroof adds a great deal of light to the interior, but really did not seem to affect the inside temperature in the summer, like I thought it would.

I couldn't live without it...well I COULD live without it, but I don't want to!

 

I didn't get a sunroof but only because the summer sun in Texas is absolutely brutal and I'm warm-natured anyway. I didn't think the sunroof shade would be enough to combat the heat. (...which lasts for months on end). I do agree, though, on those mild breezy days (many of which we have in winter) a sunroof would be very nice. From a vanity strandpoint, I wanted to keep a solid white roof, but really this was a secondary consideration. Anyway, those were my reasons...and I hope you all with sunroofs enjoy that breeze thoroughly.

 

The sunroof makes the interior of the car seem so much more open....even if you don't actually have the sunroof open, you can pull back the screen and it makes a world of difference. I have never had a sunroof in any car I have ever had in the past and I don't think I would ever get another car without one. I love it!

 

I guess I'll find out this summer if the heat /sun is too much to deal with here in Los Angeles. I've only had experience with the car in the winter months. If it's too bad I'll tint the roof darker.

Generally I've always loved the pop-up feature of sunroofs for venting without rolling the windows down and getting more wind than you want. But on the MINI with the windows fully down there's no noticable wind in your face. Nice design.

Funny enough the times I use the sunroof the most are at night to glance up at stars and other pretty lights. I don't race, so I'm not concerned with the extra weight.

 

I didn't get the sunroof on Dolly for several reasons, 1. I live in FL...where its constantly raining and I thought I'd have to park her in our driveway 2. My dad owns a body repair shop, and I was scared from all the stories I had heard from him over the years, and the chunks of flesh/hair I had seen in sunroofs at his shop (yuck.)

Now, I want one...in fact, when I get an S I will get one with a sunroof. I just think they make the car so much more umm...motorable...lol. The MINI is the first car I've had where I just want to put the windows down, crank the stereo, sing at the top of my lungs, and fly. The sunroof would make that all the more enjoyable...lol.