Hey. My MINI is getting beat with the summer heat and I decided to get the window shade that MINI offers. It is pricey at $50, but I have been through enough 3rd-party window shades to appreciate the fact it fits the window perfectly and is made of materials that don't melt. I once had the rubber edges of another window shade melt to the dash during a 4th of July weekend. With the window sun visors folded forward the window shade stays up all day and covers the entire dash. The shade also comes with a nice vinyl bag and a big MINI logo in the middle of the shade. I'm very satisfied with it and would recommend it if your MINI is getting baked during the summer's peak hours.

 

I use the small size "Magic shade" that I paid about $6 for at Walmart. 2 pieces that twist down and are held closed by the attached elastic. When closed, they fit perfectly in the mesh pocket on the back of the passenger seat. So far it has been through 2 Las Vegas summers with no issues except that the elastic is starting to look a little "ratty".

 

I bought the MINI shade the day I picked up my car, but I think I used it maybe twice, as it was too clumsy and bulky for me to use. Excellent fit and quality though.

I too just use the cheap "twisty" type that collapses small enough to fit behind the passenger seat. The size is just right to cover the whole area.

 

I have a medium sized twisty sun shade that fits in my checked luggage. I use it for rental cars (work) in hot climes. Jimbo

 

The sunshades absolutely rock! I can't recommend them heartily enough. They look great, and work very well.

I've had them for almost a year now, and will never be without them. The ones in the side windows were easy enough to get, but I found that the one made for the rear hatch window is a Euro-spec part not sold in the US!

Happily, a very friendly dealer in Vancouver BC was glad to sell me one, and ship it south of the border.

 

Advanced Auto Parts has one for $8.00 that fits all MINIs. It is called "Type S"

 

Check out this website for what I consider to be the most convenient/accessible front car window shade: http://www.dashdesigns.com/orders.cf...ades&makeID=20
I have installed this design on two of my other cars and have ordered one for my soon to arrive Mini S. It is costly at $25 but so easy to draw in place. It mounts accordian style on the right inside of your window and you just draw it accross top an attachment on the windows left side. To remove it, it is spring loaded to retract into its container on the right. I doesn't impead ones visibility.

 

I also have the OEM MINI windshield Sunshade and it is a top quality piece, but I am having a problem with it. I originally got the shade when I took delivery of my '04 MCS with the smaller rearview mirror so it worked and fitted perfectly.

However, with the new larger '05 rearview mirror (I have the self dimming mirror with homelink buttons), the shade won't clear the mirror housing when I try to fit the shade completely against the windshield. I have no choice but to leave it sitting on top of the dashboard and steering wheel, so it is partially blocking out the heat/UV rays.

I wonder if MINI has a new revised sunshade that clears the bigger rearview mirror in the 2005s?

 

Instead of buying a whole new unit, is there any way to get out the pruning shears and making a little adjustment?

 

I am open to suggestions.

 

I got the MINI folding sunshade for my '05 MCSC. I have the mirror with the UGDO (universal Garage Door Opener, aka:HomeLink) buttons, no autodim, and my shade fits just fine.


This makes me wonder:
a) Is there perhaps a new model sunshade out for '05?
b) could the mirror possibly be any more enormous with the autodim function than mine is without? (It's monstrously huge)

 

I have an '05 MCC and am using the OEM shade without any problems. I need to shove the bottom edge forward as far as it will go then tilt the top edge in. Only a very slight interference with the bottom of the mirror (also w/ homelink buttons) on the way in. but it does go in flat against the glass easily.

 

I am asking this same question because I am having the same problem with the new MINI sunshade I bought for my '05 MINI. It doesn't clear the rearview mirror, and once it is "in place" it flops down against the back of the mirror. Even with the visors unhooked, they are not long enough to reach the sunshade to hold it flatly against the windshield. There is a 4" gap above the sunshade as it rests against the mirror. Is this the way it's supposed to fit "perfectly"? So...to ask again...is there a different and newly shaped sunshade for the '05 with the larger mirror?

 

Thanks for the pics and replies. Yes my MINI sunshade looks identical to yours and it seems that there are no additional cut outs to help clearing the bigger rearview mirror. I also have the self dimming/Homelink buttons equipped mirror. Question though, how did you install it? Did you have to move the mirror out of the way (Re-adjust it I mean) to either extreme position to be able to fit the shade underneath it?? (Please explain in detail)

The self dimming rearview mirror does not have the huge black adjusting button underneath the mirror, so it should be easier for the sunshade to clear it. Judging by your pics if you can manage to put the sunshade with the Homelink buttons and that huge black button on the way, I should be able to do it on mine as well.

I appreciate your further replies. I really need the shade to be in position because the sun we are getting is absolutely incredible.